Stout Risius Ross and the China Optimization Group Form SRR Asia, LLC

Stout Risius Ross and the China Optimization Group Form SRR Asia, LLC

February 16, 2007

SRR Asia to provide distinctive set of strategic and
operational capabilities that address the increasing
pressures companies face from escalating global
competition


    CHICAGO, Feb. 16 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Stout Risius
Ross, a leading financial and operational advisory firm,
and the China Optimization Group, a leading provider of
emerging market strategy solutions, announced today that
the two companies have joined together to form SRR Asia,
LLC.  Both firms have successfully served large public
corporations, middle market companies, and private equity
firms across a wide range of industries, including consumer
products, business materials, automotive and a large number
of specialty manufacturing sectors.

    Chicago-based China Optimization Group (COG) will
become a critical part of Stout Risius Ross's (SRR)
Operational Strategy and Performance Improvement practice. 
This practice will leverage the expertise of COG's US- and
China-based teams to deliver a variety of sourcing and
market entry solutions.

    "COG has helped many companies develop and
implement the right strategy with respect to Asia; from
sourcing assessment to market entry to distribution and
M&A support," said Craige Stout, CEO of SRR. 
"This includes companies that have been in Asia for
many years, but for whatever reason, are not realizing
expected returns on their investments." 

    Since 1991, SRR has been providing a variety of
investment banking, valuation, litigation, restructuring
and operational improvement advisory services from its
headquarters in Chicago, IL, as well as from offices in
Detroit, Cleveland and Washington, D.C.  SRR Asia will
offer complementary services to assist companies in their
global expansion objectives.

    The new SRR Asia will include all eight US-based COG
employees and the 20 staff located in four China-based
offices in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen.  Tony
Jiang, a co-founder of COG, will lead the China practice
from Beijing. 

    "SRR has been on an impressive growth path for the
last several years and the firm has developed an impressive
platform from which to expand our activities," said
Jeff Pluto, a co-founder of COG who will oversee global
operations for SRR Asia as managing director.  "China
has attracted $55 billion in foreign direct investment, and
its neighbors are also attracting billions in new
investments.  These new capabilities will enable SRR to
support clients as they explore opportunities throughout
Asia."

    "We believe SRR Asia's unique capabilities address
a significant need in the marketplace and are consistent
with our ongoing efforts to help our clients create
significant value in their businesses," said Stout.

    SRR Asia will move into SRR's Chicago office at One
South Wacker Drive. 

    About Stout Risius Ross

    Stout Risius Ross is a financial and operational
advisory firm headquartered in Chicago.  The firm
specializes in investment banking, through its subsidiary
Stout Risius Ross Advisors, LLC, operational strategy and
performance improvement, restructuring & turnaround,
valuation & financial opinions and dispute advisory
& forensic services.  SRR's clients include Fortune 500
corporations, middle market companies and private equity
firms that operate in a wide range of industries around the
globe.  More information can be found at http://www.srr.com
. 

    About China Optimization Group

    China Optimization Group (COG) helps companies make
informed decisions about doing business in emerging markets
such as China and provides services ranging from strategic
sourcing and market entry to distribution and M&A
support.  Through its proven methodology, COG enables
clients to remain competitive, while positioning them to
penetrate and develop new markets and customers. 


    For more information, please contact:

     Richard J. Flynn, 
     Managing Director 
     Stout Risius Ross Advisors, LLC
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Peter Wiltjer
     BWMG, Inc.
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]


SOURCE  Stout Risius Ross