SageGroup Strategies Forms Japan Division to Serve Japanese-Controlled U.S.-Based Troubled Companies

Los Angeles, CA; New York City, NY; and Silicon Valley, CA -- April 5, 2005. SageGroup Strategies announces the formation of the new Japan Division to serve troubled Japanese-controlled companies operating in the U.S. Officials at SageGroup have long held a vision of providing services for this very special segment of the U.S. business community. Formation of this Division represents the first step in implementation of that vision.

Over the past several decades, Japan and the U.S. have been important trading partners with each other. During these years, Japanese companies have made numerous investments in the form of acquisitions and new start-up companies in the U.S. Many of these investments have been very successful, but some have not achieved anticipated expectations. In fact, some have become major disappointments for the Japan headquarters of these companies. Reasons for disappointing results are, in most cases, complex. Differences in culture, management styles, and understanding of the market are just a few examples of challenges that have caused problems at these Japanese-controlled companies operating in the U.S. These unique complexities make it particularly difficult to turn these companies around.

SageGroup has been involved with hundreds of difficult company situations such as re-financings, turnarounds, crisis management, debtor programs, restructurings, and reorganizations. With the start of the new Division, SageGroup will focus its diversified experience and expertise towards these Japanese-controlled companies that are in need of specialized help.

SageGroup's staff includes over 600 highly-qualified specialists, including: financial experts, marketing specialists, international business experts, attorneys, CPA's, acquisition and merger experts, and turnaround specialists. This highly-skilled and diversified group of professionals will provide support for the new Japan Division, which will be headed up by a small group of Co-Managers. This group will include the following Co-Managers:

1) Tay Yoshitani - a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in both Japan and the U.S. in finance, marketing, and operations. An ex-CEO of large and multi-divisional public agency in international trade and transportation. Expertise in government affairs at federal, state, and municipal levels. Owned and successfully operated several small businesses. Managed several turnaround situations.

2) Ralph Patterson - an ex-CEO of a Silicon Valley startup, has many years' experience managing in technology companies and extensive experience with Japanese companies. He has licensed technology to and from Japanese companies, managed a satellite group in Japan, and served on the board of a Japanese joint venture.

3) Larry Lindsey - very experienced troubled-company specialist, executive, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, financier, and corporate development specialist, including over 300 troubled-company situations. Strong international business experience, including much experience in Japan and the U.S.A. with Japanese and Japanese-controlled companies.

SageGroup has specialized in providing professional services to troubled companies for over 13 years. It is the largest professional services firm in this field in the world, with over sixty offices located in the U.S., Canada, Asia, and Europe. Consistent with an aggressive growth strategy, several additional new offices are currently pending. In order to provide a full and comprehensive range of services, SageGroup works closely with other complementary professional entities including business brokers, law firms, CPA firms, various financing entities, insurance agencies, and collection agencies.

SageGroup understands the sensitive nature of turnarounds and has always maintained integrity, respect, confidentiality, and discretion as "core values". As part of its strict confidentiality policies, SageGroup has never disclosed or publicized the names of its clients. Although the Japan Division will soon have at least one representative at each U.S. office, all initial inquiries should be directed to Mr. Larry Lindsey, a SageGroup Managing Director and one of the three Co-Managers of the new Division. Mr. Lindsey can be reached at (510) 865-2480