This press release was distributed at around 5 p.m. CST, March 30, 2001.  It's reproduced here in its entirety, without editing.   For ICv2's reporting and analsysi of this acquisition, see 'Alliance Acquires Businesses of Berkeley Top Line and Barchetta.'  For the complete Alliance/BTL retailer q & a, see 'Alliance Acquisition Questions and Answers. 
 
Daniel Hirsch, President of Alliance Game Distributors, LLC announced today that Alliance has closed on a deal to acquire the majority of assets and liabilities of Berkeley, California-based Berkeley-Topline Distributors (BTL) and its sister company Sports Memories Inc. (SMI), effective March 30, 2001.

 

In addition, Alliance has also reached an agreement to purchase selected assets of San Marcos, California-based Barchetta Distribution, a deal that is expected to close within the next thirty days.

 

'The combination of BTL, Barchetta and Alliance is one which will greatly benefit hobby game retailers in the Western U.S.,' said Hirsch.  Combining the relationships and sales experience of BTL and Barchetta in the West with the technology, logistical capacity and marketing support of Alliance makes for a winning situation for manufacturers and retailers alike.'

 

Ed Wentland, President of BTL and SMI commented: 'I have always valued our accounts and worked hard to bring them the best of service.  This sale to Alliance will allow us to continue to improve the overall service received by our customers.' 

 

Wentland added that while plans called for BTL's game business to become part of Alliance, BTL's Topline and Sports Memories Inc. trading card divisions will conduct business separately, under his leadership.  'While my short-term focus will be to assist with the overall transition to Alliance, my long-term goal will be to grow the trading card business, a challenge I look forward to very much.'

 

Gregory Nathan, President of Barchetta Distribution, said: 'Co-owner Joseph Davies and I, and our entire staff, are looking forward to joining the Alliance-Berkeley team.  Together we will have the resources to deliver the greatest product selection and service ever offered to hobby game retailers.'

 

'This transaction should be smooth and relatively transparent to retailers,' Hirsch added.  'Barchetta will continue to operate as they currently do, so while their customers will ultimately benefit from our combining of resources, they will experience no immediate change to the way they do business with Barchetta.'

 

'Likewise, we will maintain BTL/Sports Memories Inc. sales offices in Berkeley, Carson, Ontario, and Chatsworth California, and in Chesterfield, Michigan,' Hirsch continued, 'so retailers should be able to place orders with the same people they are used to doing business with.  We will also transfer BTL preorder data into Alliance's system immediately, so there will be no interruption in product flow.'  Hirsch added that Alliance would be consolidating the warehousing and shipping of game product into its Visalia, California and Ft. Wayne, Indiana Distribution Centers, 'a move which should provide most customers with equal or superior service, in terms of order turnaround and shipping times.'

 

Alliance Game Distributors, LLC is a leading distributor of Role Playing, Collectible Card and Miniature Games to hobby retailers worldwide.  It's services include an industry-leading website (www.alliance-games.com) which offers on-line inventory and ordering.  Alliance also publishes Game Trade Magazine, the industry's premiere preorder guide.