Merrick Systems Has Completed a Majority Investment from HitecVision

HOUSTON, January 5, 2012 – GulfStar Group is pleased to announce a majority investment in Merrick Systems, Inc. (“Merrick”) by HitecVision V LP (“HitecVision”). GulfStar served as financial advisor to Merrick throughout the transaction, which closed on December 12, 2011.

Merrick Systems, Inc. is a market leader in providing industrial information technologies for the upstream and midstream oil and gas industry. Recognized for its industry expertise and innovative technologies, Merrick is committed to delivering best-of-breed solutions to improve production operations, help oil and gas companies extend the life of their assets, lower lifting costs, increase production and optimize operations. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Merrick is establishing a global infrastructure to sell, implement and support its technologies.

“We are very pleased to partner with HitecVision,” said Samina Farid, Chairman of Merrick. “Combining their success in growing energy technology businesses with our 20 years of experience in the industry will contribute to strong growth for Merrick.”

CEO of Merrick, Kemal Farid, added, “HitecVision’s investment in Merrick is recognition of the strength of Merrick’s technology in the energy market. Through our partnership with HitecVision, we will build a world-leading software company offering solutions to the critical production and operations issues confronting the changing oil and gas industry.”

HitecVision is a leading investor in the international oil and gas industry with a focus on middle market investments in oilfield services companies, technology companies, and exploration and production (“E&P”) companies across the oil and gas value chain. HitecVision provides capital and competence to growth companies in the oil and gas sector in Europe and North America and creates value by partnering with entrepreneurial managers to build substantial and sustainable companies.

The GulfStar Group transaction team included Managing Director Cliff Atherton, Senior Vice President Pam Reiland, Associate James Berry and Associate Bobby Bryan. “It is always a pleasure to support the work of highly successful entrepreneurs like Samina Farid and Kemal Farid,” said Cliff Atherton. “They have built an outstanding software platform, and with HitecVision they will maintain the client focused culture they have created.”

About GulfStar Group
GulfStar Group is a leading middle market investment and merchant bank headquartered in Houston, Texas, with a strong market presence in Austin, Dallas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. GulfStar specializes in providing merger and acquisition advisory services, institutional private placements of equity and debt, restructuring and turnaround advisory services and general corporate finance advisory services to companies with revenue or enterprise values generally ranging from $25 million to $350 million. Since its formation in 1990, GulfStar has completed over 500 transactions in more than 30 states and six foreign countries across a variety of industries. Through its merchant banking affiliate, the firm also makes equity and subordinated debt co-investments.

Securities offered through GulfStar Group I, an affiliated entity, member FINRA – SIPC.