For Immediate Release
STARNINE ANNOUNCES NEW PARENT COMPANY AND NAMES NEW PRESIDENT
-- Acquisition Provides Autonomy and Opens Door to New Product Development --
BERKELEY, Calif., January 14, 1998 -- StarNine Technologies, Inc., formerly
a subsidiary of Quarterdeck Corporation, today announced the immediate sale
of StarNine to Platinum Equity Holdings. Scott Steward, formerly vice
president sales and marketing, was also named as the new president of
StarNine. Platinum Equity Holdings, StarNine's new parent company, is
expected to allow StarNine to operate autonomously, deciding upon its own
company strategy and product direction. StarNine develops, publishes and
markets Internet server software, content creation tools, electronic
commerce software and email connectivity products. Under Platinum Equity
Holdings, StarNine will continue to develop Internet-related software and
expand upon it's popular WebSTAR product line.
"This is great news for our customers because it allows us to be more
directly responsive to their needs," said Scott Steward, president of
StarNine. "Platinum will provide us greater independence than we were
afforded under Quarterdeck leadership. This independence will allow us to
plot our own strategic direction."
"StarNine has an excellent reputation in the Internet tools market," said
Tom Gores, president of Platinum Equity Holdings. "As such, we consider
StarNine an excellent entre into the Internet market for us. Our goals are
executing a seamless transition and helping StarNine expand their existing
product lines with exciting new products."
Prior to joining StarNine in 1991, Scott Steward held sales management
positions at TOPS, a division of Sun Microsystems and Jasmine Technologies,
as well as other management positions in companies outside the computer
industry.
About StarNine
StarNine Acquisition Corp. (to be known as StarNine, Inc.) is a privately
held corporation, wholly owned by Platinum Equity Holdings. Located in
Berkeley, California, StarNine is a leader in the development of Internet
server software, content creation tools, electronic commerce and email
connectivity products. Best known for its WebSTAR server software, StarNine
also offers ListSTAR list server software, WebCollage automated content
creation software, WebCatalog and WebMerchant commerce tools, Quarterdeck
Mail and Mail*Link Internet email gateways. Further information on StarNine
may be obtained by calling 510/649-4949, accessing StarNine's Web site at
http://www.starnine.com/, or by emailing info@starnine.com.
About Platinum Equity Holdings
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Platinum Equity Holdings is a parent
corporation for a number of technology enterprises. Core operations include
mergers and acquisitions as well as the strategic management of investment
interests. Platinum controls a multi-million dollar asset base comprised of
technology businesses involved in software development, information systems
and computer services supporting Fortune 500 and large commercial clients,
including the federal government and a number of state municipalities.
Further information on Platinum Equity Holdings can be obtained by calling
310/712-1850 or by accessing their Web site at http://www.peh.com/.
Media Contact:
Naomi Pearce
Pearce Communications
510/528-0824
Email: naomi@well.com
