NETAFIN

GROWING PROFITS WITH LOW TECH INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Markstone Capital Group and Elliot Broidy, also recently acquired a controlling stake in Netafim, the largest low-volume irrigation company in the world. Netafim was founded in Israel in the 1960s by three Kibbutzim but turned from a cooperative arrangement to a corporation in Q1 2006, just a Markstone was finalizing its investment offer. Today, Netafim employs over 2,000 people in its worldwide offices and does business in 112 different countries. Markstone Capital has already made its presence felt, adding several value oriented acquisitions, including brokering a 50% share in a South African greenhouse construction company to enhance Netafim’s vertical integration. Elliot Broidy’s firm is also exploring expanded market share in profit-laden energy crops as well as more traditional cost cutting measures. Netafim is eyeing an IPO in 2007, most likely in Q3, and has already begun talks with Goldman Sachs in this regard. Elliot Broidy’s commitments to Israel’s agrarian community and low-tech economy show not only his business acumen, but also his concern for the well being of Israeli farmers.