BATESVILLE, Ind., May 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE: HI) was selected by The M&A Advisor as the winner of the Corporate and Strategic Acquisition of the Year for its $545 million purchase of Germany-based Coperion Capital GmbH, completed in December 2012. Hillenbrand took home the top prize in the $500 million to $1 billion category during the 5^th Annual International M&A Awards Gala at the New York Athletic Club.

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The International M&A Awards Gala honored the leading companies, advisors and other deal intermediaries whose activities set the standard for cross border transactions. This year, 260 companies were finalists for the awards. Nominees were judged by an independent committee of cross border industry experts. Judges scored companies based on the profile of the deal, challenges encountered and overall strategic benefits provided by the transaction.   

"The Coperion acquisition allows the company to substantially diversify our business portfolio, expand our global footprint, and enhance our future growth potential," said Scott George, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Hillenbrand. "We are encouraged by our investors' reaction to this transaction and appreciate the third-party recognition of this highly coveted award."

Coperion, a worldwide market and technology leader in compounding and extrusion, material handling and service, was Hillenbrand's fourth acquisition since 2008 and further strengthens the company's global Process Equipment Group platform. The Process Equipment Group is a recognized leader in the design, production, marketing and servicing of equipment and systems used in processing applications for a wide range of industrial markets.

Since the spin-off from Hillenbrand Industries in 2008, Hillenbrand has evolved from a single operating company, Batesville Casket, with $678 million in annual revenue to five operating companies generating an estimated $1.6 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2013. Along with Coperion, the Process Equipment Group companies include K-Tron, Rotex and TerraSource Global.

Since 1988, The M&A Advisor has been presenting, recognizing the achievement of and facilitating connections between the world's leading mergers and acquisitions, financing and turnaround professionals with a comprehensive range of services. In 2002, The M&A Advisor also began honoring the top companies, dealmakers and M&A transac­tions during their annual awards program.

About Hillenbrand, Inc.
Hillenbrand (www.Hillenbrand.com) is a global diversified industrial company that makes and sells premium business-to-business products and services for a wide variety of industries. We pursue profitable growth and meaningful dividends for our shareholders by leveraging our leading brands, robust cash generation capabilities and strong core competencies. HI-INC-E

SOURCE Hillenbrand, Inc.