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.
