Vortex Systems, LLC (“Vortex” or the “Company”)

Founded in 1993, Vortex is a provider of high performance blending and mixing solutions. The primary application for the Company’s products is mixing and blending solids and liquids, in forming drilling fluid, for the oil and natural gas industry. The Company has developed patented and proprietary technologies that deliver premium mixing & blending performance. Primary advantages of the Vortex system include: i) dust-free mixing creating a cleaner and healthier work environment; ii) faster mixing capabilities leading to reduced drilling costs; and iii) enhanced quality of drilling fluid delivering a more consistent product. Vortex employs approximately 20 employees and is headquartered in Houston, T exas.

Alfa Laval AB (“Alfa Laval”)

Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialized products and engineering solutions based on its key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling. The company’s equipment, systems and services are dedicated to assisting customers in optimizing the performance of their processes. The solutions help them to heat, cool, separate and transport products in industries that produce food and beverages, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, starch, sugar and ethanol. Alfa Laval is listed on Nasdaq OMX, and has 16 000 employees with operations in over 100 countries. Alfa Laval was founded in 1883 and headquartered in Lund, Sweden.

PPHB, LP (“PPHB”)

PPHB is an independent investment banking firm providing financial advisory services exclusively to clients in the oilfield equipment and service industry.