Yue Yuen's Casual/Outdoor Footwear Business Sets Pace in 2013

Yue  Yuen  Industrial  (Holdings)  Limited reported sales  of  athletic  shoes  and  casual/outdoor  shoes  were  up  by  2.7 percent  and  9.7 percent  respectively  in 2013. 

Total sales of the Group rose 4.1 percent  for  the  period  to  approximately $7,582.5  million.  Recurring operating  profit amounted to $430.8 million. The Group also had non-recurring operating profit of $3.9 million for the period. When  aggregating  both  categories of profit, the net profit attributable to shareholders for the fiscal year 2013  amounted  to approximately $434.8 million. 

 

 

Total shoe manufacturing volume was up by 1.1 percent to 313.4 million pairs for the twelve month period.

 

 

Total Turnover by Product Category

	2013 (audited)	% of revenues	2012  (pro forma)	% of revenues	% Change
Athletic Shoes	3,813.3	50.3	3,711.3	51.0	2.7
Casual/Outdoor  Shoes	1,356.8	17.9	1,237.3	17.0	9.7
Sports Sandals	86.2	1.1	89.7	1.2	(3.9)
Retail Turnover	1,726.6	22.8	1,659.5	22.8	4.0
Soles, Components & Others	599.6	7.9	582.8	8.0	2.9
Total Turnover	7,582.5	100.0	7,280.6	100.0	4.1

  
With  regards  to  the  retail  and  wholesale  business  of  sportswear  in  the  Greater  China  region,  sales  increased  by  4.0 percent  to   $1,726.6  million  in  2013  compared  to   $1,659.5  million  recorded  in  the  same  period  last  year. 

The   Group’s gross profit declined by 0.8 percent to $1,646.6   million.  When  looking  at  the underlying   business   units,   gross profit   for   the   manufacturing   operations   involving  international  performance  brands  contracted  due  to  rising wage  costs  as  well  as  the  reduction  in  operating  efficiency  due  to  the  relocation  and   allocation   of production   capacity.   When   viewed   by   each   quarter,   during   the   twelve   month   period  manufacturing operations  exhibited  a  trend  of  improving  gross  margin.  Pou  Sheng  had  a  gross  profit  decline  of  0.7 percent  to   $513.8  million  mainly  due  to  the  significant  deterioration  in  the  manufacturing  sales  to  the  domestic brands  and  the  discounting  activities  in  retail  operations  to  drive  sales  volumes. 

Group selling  &  distribution  expenses  and  Administrative  expenses  was  almost  unchanged  compared  to  the  same  period  last  year.  For  the  manufacturing  operations,  the  sum  of  these  items  increased  by  4.8 percent   partly   due   to   increased   personnel   expenses   compared   to   the   same   period   last   year,   whereas   for   Pou  Sheng  the  sum  of  these  items  declined  by  3.8 percent  when  compared  with  the  same  period  last  year  due  to  cost  control  measures.  Since  the  underlying  inflation  in  both  industries  is  significant,  managements  in  both  of  the business  units  have  been  working  hard  to  control  expenses. 

At   the   Group   level,   share  from Affiliates and Jint Ventures declined by 44.0 percent  to $48.8   million.   For   the   manufacturing   operations,  share   of   A&JV   fell   partly   due   to   the   recognition  of  a one-time   loss   of    $23.2   million   due   to   the   change   of  shareholding  in  Symphony  Holdings  Limited.  For  Pou  Sheng,  share  of  loss  from  A&JV  declined  by  47.8 percent  to  a  loss  of   $5.9  million  compared  with  a  loss  of   $11.4  million  in  the  same  period  last  year. 

 

The board proposed a final dividend of HK$0.75 per share. Combined with the interim dividends declared earlier, the total dividends paid per share for fiscal year 2013 amounted to HK$1.10, compared to HK$ 1.25 for the 15 months ended Dec. 31, 2012.

 

 

About Yue Yuen:

Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Limited is an investment holding company. The Company, along with its subsidiaries, is principally engaged in manufacturing, marketing and retailing of athletic footwear, athletic style leisure footwear, casual and outdoor footwear. The Company operates in two segments: manufacturing segment, which manufactures and sells footwear products, and retailing segment, which engages in the retail and distribution of sportswear products. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, the Company produced 326.6 million pairs of shoes. On 1st April, 2011, the Company acquired 75% equity interest in Yi Sheng Leather Co., Ltd. The Company’s subsidiaries include A-Grade Holdings Limited, Bangladesh Pou Hung Industrial Ltd, Baosheng Daoji (Beijing) Trading Company Limited, Baoxin (Chengdu) Trading Company Limited, Bestful Properties Limited and Champolian Investments Inc., among others. 

US, E-Bike Retailer Grand Opening - April 5th in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore., March 28, 2014 -- Cynergy E-Bikes, a new business in Southeast Portland specializing in electric power assisted bicycles, is holding their Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, April 5^th from 10am-6pm.  The celebration will be at their store in the Powell Square shopping plaza location at the corner of SE Powell Blvd and Cesar Chavez Blvd (SE 39^th Ave).

Electric power assisted bicycles combine the use of an electric motor and a rechargeable battery with pedal power to make hill climbing easier, for increased speed and to reduce fatigue.  The new store provides a wide variety of e-bikes suitable for commuting, general recreation and off road riding.  They also carry kits for transforming a standard bike into an e-bike.

As part of their Grand Opening celebration, Cynergy E-Bikes is offering:

- A Bike Giveaway Sweepstakes – awarding a new 2014 IZIP Path+ electric bike, valued at $2200, to the winner.

- A contribution to Bikes for Humanity PDX for every store visitor who participates in a test ride during the Grand Opening April 5^th celebration.

"With the increase in reliability and product choices, along with improvements in technology, many believe 2014 will be the breakout year for electric power assisted bicycles to become an established alternative urban transportation in the U.S.  They are already popular in Europe with 1 of every 10 bikes sold in Germany, Switzerland and Austria being electric, and that share is growing." states Cynergy E-Bike's owner Rich Fein.  

"The added speed, extended range and ease of climbing hills make e-bikes an alternative to driving for a broader share of the population. And Portland's combination of top-rated cycling infrastructure and hilly terrain make it ideal to set the stage for e-bikes to become an affordable, low-maintenance, clean-transportation solution.  And best of all, e-bikes are fun to ride."

In support of expanding all forms of bicycle riding in Portland, Cynergy will make a contribution to Bikes for Humanity PDX (B4HPDX) for anyone who does an e-bike test ride during the April 5^th event.  B4HPDX is a local, public charity project providing affordable refurbished bicycles to riders of all economic backgrounds.  

They also provide professional bike repair curriculum, tools, and shop space for volunteers to learn and work on refurbishing donated bikes. 

"We see e-bikes as another option for expanding cycling in the Portland area, both for the active rider, and also for our aging population looking to get back into riding," states Steven Kung, B4HPDX founder.

For more information about Cynergy E-Bikes, visit www.CynergyEbikes.com.

For more information about Bikes for Humanity PDX, visit www.B4HPDX.org.  Bikes for Humanity PDX is a non-profit charity project fiscally sponsored by Impact NW Inc. (501c3) and is not affiliated with Cynergy E-Bikes.

Media Contact: Ruthellen Fein, Cynergy E-Bikes, 5037197678, ruthellen@cynergyebikes.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE Cynergy E-Bikes

Hillsound Wins Shelf Space with REI and FGL Sports

Hillsound said REI and FGL Sports Ltd., two of North America’s biggest outdoor specialty retailers, have begun selling its mini-crampons in select stores.

REI is bringing Hillsound’s original Trail Crampon into 17 of its store locations as well as selling them online. FGL Sports’ subsidiaries Atmosphere and Sports Experts stores will both carry all of Hillsound’s traction device products in their stores located in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario.

 

“Hillsound’s universal appeal in a wide variety of outdoor and urban applications has become apparent in the demand for our products and the growth of our distribution,” said Hillsound Marketing Director, Jessica Greinke. 

 

“Our products serve everyone from ultra-runners and winter hikers to those living in urban areas looking for a safer way to walk their dog or go get the mail on snowy/icy days. We are excited to offer our lines to more people in more places, expanding Hillsound’s reach and increasing our community of brand loyalists.”

 

Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Hillsound offers a range of highly-engineered winter traction devices for a variety of categories, from winter walking to light mountaineering. Hillsound also specializes in the design and manufacture of durable and comfortable gaiters.

By press release

adidas announced today a long term partnership Grammy Award winning Pharrell Williams.

adidas announced today a long term partnership with Oscar nominated, Grammy Award winning super star Pharrell Williams. The first adidas Originals x Pharrell Williams products will debut in the Summer of 2014.

This is also the first time adidas has partnered with a designer who owns their own textile company. adidas will collaborate with Williams' Bionic Yarn coming from The Vortex Project; an initiative with Parley for the Oceans to turn plastic debris from the oceans into yarn and fabric. Bionic Yarn will be used in some of Pharrell's upcoming adidas Originals products.

"Working with an iconic brand like adidas is such an incredible opportunity. From the classic track suit, to growing up in Virginia wearing Stan Smiths, adidas has been a staple in my life. Their pieces are timeless. This is an exciting partnership for both me and for Bionic Yarn." Pharrell Williams

adidas welcomes Pharrell into its family and is looking forward to a long lasting relationship with this extraordinary artist.

"I am truly thrilled to work with Pharrell. He is a pop-culture icon that never fails to inspire, not just through his musical talent and craft, but through his many other interests. He is the perfect fit for the multi-faceted company that is adidas." Dirk Schoenberger, Global Creative Director, adidas Sport Style Division

Share and follow the story:

#pharrellxadidas
#pharrell
#adidasoriginals
#adidas
#fortheoceans
#thevortexproject

@pharrell
@adidasoriginals
@adidas
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Contacts:
adidas x Pharrell Williams /Celine.Kloetzer@haebmau.de
Pharrell Williams x Bionic Yarn / Amanda.Silverman@42West.net




Source adidas

Reebok Awards Global Account To Venables Bell & Partners

Independent San Francisco advertising agency Venables Bell & Partners announced it has been assigned lead global agency for Reebok.

"Reebok represents exactly the kind of opportunity that excites us most: an iconic brand led by a brave client with a genuine desire to challenge category conventions," said Will McGinness, Executive Creative Director, Venables Bell & Partners.

"Throughout the pitch we truly lived, ate and sweat the fitness lifestyle of the Reebok consumer. We share our client's belief in Reebok's potential and look forward to accomplishing great things together."  

VB&P won the assignment after a review conducted by SRI. The Reebok news comes on the heels of VB&P winning SKYY Vodka and reporting 23% organic revenue growth in 2013 thanks to existing clients Intel and Audi.

"VB&P demonstrated a deep understanding of our brand purpose and culture and developed thinking and creative that excited everyone involved in the process," said Yan Martin, Head of Global Brand Marketing at Reebok. "We're confident that VB&P will help maintain the brand's forward momentum and raise the strategic and creative bar for the Reebok brand."

Source Reebok

SEASON 2 PREMIERE of Facing Waves—North America’s Only Paddlesport Television Series—Airs on Outside Television Monday, March 31st at 6:00pm

Heliconia, producers of Facing Waves–North America’s only paddlesport television series–proudly announces the launch of Season 2 of Facing Waves on Outside Television on Monday, March 31st at 6:00pm. 

March 28th, 2014 - Heliconia, a leader in outdoors TV and WebTV production and distribution, is pleased to announce the launch of Season 2 of Facing Waves. The first episode in the eleven episode series airs Monday, March 31st at 6:00pm on Outside Television.

Now entering its 3rd season of filming, Facing Waves is the first and only paddlesports TV series of its kind. Each 30-minute episode showcases the world’s top stand up paddling, sea kayaking, whitewater paddling, canoeing, and/or rafting destinations.
Episode 1 of Facing Waves Season 2 is The Northern Forest Canoe Trail in New Hampshire.

This episode features canoeing, kayak fly fishing, and whitewater kayaking along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, the longest paddling trail in the US which was named “Best Canoe Trail” by Outside Magazine.

“Season 2 features a wide range of paddlesports and characters in some of the worlds best paddling destinations,” says award-winning filmmaker, former professional whitewater kayaker, and Facing Waves Director, Kelsey Thompson. “I have had the pleasure of filming episodes for this season in Tahiti and Ontario’s Lake Superior and everywhere in-between.”

Watch the Facing Waves trailer and learn more about the series at www.facingwaves.com
Facing Waves is a TV series that showcases top paddling destinations. To showcase your top paddling destination or brand, contact Brendan at 613.582.7154 or brendan@helipress.com.


About Facing Waves:

The Facing Waves television series is entering its 3rd season of filming. Broadcast on both Outside Television and Universal Sports, Facing Waves reaches one of the most sought after demographics in the adventure travel world: active, affluent, and educated professionals who love traveling and the outdoors. To showcase your top paddling destination or brand as a Facing Waves episode sponsor, contact Brendan at 613.582.7154 or brendan@helipress.com.

About Heliconia: Since World Champion kayaker Ken Whiting founded the company in 1998, Heliconia has been a leader in outdoors media production. Heliconia produces 5 outdoor television series that air on NBC Sports, Universal Sports, Outside Television, and The World Fishing Network.  See all of Heliconia’s work at www.helipress.com, or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/helipress.

For more information call Amy Luscombe at 613 582 7154, or e-mail to: amy@helipress.com.


By press release 

Eddie Bauer Launches Fishing Apparel and Gear

New line expands successful Eddie Bauer Sport Shop Series

(Seattle, Wash.) – March 26, 2014 – Eddie Bauer is pleased to announce the launch of its new Sport Shop fishing outerwear, apparel and gear collection, just in time for the spring 2014 season. The new line adds to the award-winning Sport Shop series from Eddie Bauer that includes upland hunting and shooting apparel.

Under Eddie Bauer’s Guide Built, Guide Tested® philosophy, the Sport Shop Fishing Collection was designed in collaboration with world-renowned guides, Andrew Bennett, Lucas St. Clair, John Burrell, Rebecca Etchen Peters, and Michael Pepi. The collection launches with eleven men’s and women’s fishing apparel pieces and three technical gear items. Plans are already in place to expand this collection in forthcoming seasons.

“Eddie Bauer prides itself on building innovative, functional products that enable our customers to live their adventure,” said Mike Egeck, Chief Executive Officer for Eddie Bauer. “For nearly two years, our team collaborated with the best experts to conceptualize, build and test these new Sport Shop products in the environment for which they are intended. That attention to detail and quality can be found in each piece.”

The spring 2014 fishing collection features the award-winning Immersion Wading Jacket available for men and women. Exclusive to Eddie Bauer, the entire jacket is constructed of ultra-durable 750 CORDURA® Nylon with WeatherEdge® Plus 3-layer technology and is windproof, waterproof and breathable. Self-draining exterior pockets, a two way center front zipper, a rear D-ring for a net, hidden tool attachments, modified raglan sleeves for full range of motion, weather-resistant zippers, gasket cuffs and a price tag of $349.00, make the Immersion Wading Jacket a top choice for this year’s season on the water.

The men’s Harbor Rain Shell is a lightweight packable jacket that features WeatherEdge Plus 2.5-layer construction with windproof, waterproof/breathable performance. With hidden tool attachments, pit zips for ventilation, two-way weather-resistant zipper and a price tag of only $199.00, it’ll be an indispensible add in the boat bag or vest.

For clearer and warmer days, the men and women’s Guide Shirt (available in long-sleeve and short-sleeve) is built with Eddie Bauer’s new AirSpace™ technology to keep the angler comfortable in hot, humid conditions. The Guide Shirt also utilizes Free-Shade™ UPF 50+ and has mesh-lined shoulder vents, a hidden interior mesh pocket and asymmetric sun cuffs. The collar is lined with a FreeCool Pro wicking knit fabric that activates when in contact with moisture. This fabric features yarns permanently infused with Xylitol that actively cool the wearer’s neck in hot and humid weather. Retail is $80.00 for long-sleeve, $60.00 for short-sleeve.
Adding to the apparel line is the men and women’s Long-Sleeve Coordinates Shirt. Inspired by the challenges of traveling and fishing in the tropics, this ultra-light, packable, fast-drying shirt is built especially for hot-weather fishing. The Coordinates shirt also features Free-Cool™ Pro fabric on the inner collar. Mesh-lined shoulder vents, zip chest pocket with drains/tippet ports, asymmetric sun cuffs with secure roll sleeves and Free-Shade UPF 50+ fabric keeps the sun’s rays at bay. Retail is $80.00 for the Long-Sleeve Coordinates Shirt, $60.00 for the Short-Sleeve Coordinates Shirt.
Eddie Bauer’s new Riverbank Pant for men uses an exclusive 60 percent Cordura Nylon and 40 percent Supplex Nylon with Free-Dry™, Eddie Bauer’s exclusive moisture management technology, to make them perfect for hiking and wet wading or whenever a durable, multi use pant for rugged in-field use is needed. There’s a secure back zip pocket, knife/tool front J pockets and articulated, double-layer knees helping make these pants play double duty for upland birding and travel. Retail is $80.00.

The gear collection consists of the new Adventurer® Chest Pack, Adventurer® Lumbar Pack and the Adventurer® Boat Bag.  All three use .1MM TPU-Coated 500D CORDURA® Ripstop Nylon fabric for a lifetime of hard abuse.

The Adventurer® Fishing Chest Pack is designed to hold the essentials with a few extra additions to keep it clean and organized on the water. The pack features a front zip pocket with a fly patch, the back panel holds pliers or forceps and side magnets hold nippers and knot tyers. Dimensions: 10”H X 14.5” LX 8” W, 4 Liter. MSRP $80.00

Eddie Bauer’s Adventurer® Lumbar Pack is built to withstand any type of abuse that might come its way. With enough space to hold all essential fly equipment, plus a jacket and lunch, the Lumbar Pack keeps gear organized and easy to access. Dimensions: 8”H X 7”L X 4.5”W, 9.25 Liter. MSRP $99.00

The Adventurer® Boat Bag hauls everything needed for a full day on the river. The main compartment can be customized with removable panels to create an ideal layout. The bag is rated to hold over 50 pounds of gear and the unique tuck-and-secure lid eliminates the need to zip the bag shut when hauling. Dimensions; 8”H X 28”L X 5.5”W, 20 Liter. MSRP $149.00

Eddie Bauer SportShop is one of four exclusive series offered by Eddie Bauer featuring innovative, quality products designed to enable outdoor enthusiasts to live their adventures. Other series include Eddie Bauer FirstAscent, Eddie Bauer Travex, and Eddie Bauer Outdoor. As with all Eddie Bauer products, the new Sport Shop fishing outwear, apparel and gear are all backed by Eddie Bauer’s unconditional lifetime guarantee.

To view the entire collection and more information on Eddie Bauer's Sport Shop Fishing launch, please visit www.eddiebauer.com.




About Eddie Bauer

Established in 1920 in Seattle, Eddie Bauer is a specialty retailer that sells sportswear, outerwear, gear and accessories for the active outdoor lifestyle. The Eddie Bauer brand is a nationally recognized brand that stands for high quality, innovation, style and customer service.  Eddie Bauer products are available at approximately 400 stores throughout the United States, Canada and Japan through catalog sales and online at www.eddiebauer.com. Eddie Bauer is proud to be named a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion.

New Balance Reopens Factory Store in Brighton

New Balance announced the re-opening of its Brighton Factory Store that has undergone a renovation and expansion. The store is located at 217 North Beacon Street in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston.

The 26,000 square foot store offers a comprehensive line of New Balance performance footwear and apparel specifically designed for athletic activities such as running, walking, tennis and training as well as casual use. The store features styles for men, women and kids available in widths ranging from 2A to 6E, as well as New Balance athletic accessories.

Other New Balance family brands such as Aravon, Dunham and PF Flyers will also be available at the store. For the first time at a company factory outlet, there will be a dedicated retail space for the company’s Warrior brand and its lacrosse and hockey footwear, apparel and accessories.

“We are thrilled to be re-opening our Brighton Factory Store at this great location,” says Stephanie Smith, vice president, retail at New Balance. “The expanded retail space will allow us to add at least ten new part-time positions and provide an enhanced brand shopping experience for our consumers.”

Through the building’s renovation, the store features original wood beams and exposed brick that gives the store the feel of a historic gymnasium and reflects the brand’s 108-year heritage in Boston. Graphic treatments include a brightly-colored kids corner.

New Balance currently has 35 factory stores open in North America.

By press release


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UK, The Best Waterproof Jackets for Spring

NOTTINGHAM, England, March 27, 2014 -- Last week marked the first day of spring and although that means lighter morning and nights it also means that there is a higher chance of rainfall, commonly known as April showers. SportsDirect.com take a look at what styles to look out for in raincoats to help keep dry and protected this season.

Waterproof jackets are a staple for a spring wardrobe and over the years have been designed and tailored to suit individual needs and tastes.

Sporty

For sportsmen and women having a jacket that is suitable for when the showers come is essential so that they can keep on training. However, as they are often unpredictable it is important that the jacket of choice is super lightweight, easy to stuff into a small bag, or tie round the waist, and is breathable to ensure comfort, like the Karrimor XLite running jacket. Having elasticated cuffs and toggles is also a desired quality as they will prevent the rain and wind from seeping through.

Explorer

When looking for a waterproof coat that is suitable for walking or hiking in, it's important that it is both waterproof and breathable, but has a lining and has a thinker shell that that of a sporting raincoat. Three in one jackets, like the Regatta Calter 3 in 1 jacket, are a great option as walkers can store the waterproof in their backpack, and just wear the fleece when it is dry, then slip on the jacket when the rain starts to pour.

Fashionista

In recent years raincoats have been seen up and down the catwalks and have become increasingly stylish. A coat with taped seams, a bold colour and chunky detailing, whether it be pockets, buttons or toggles spruces the practical waterproof and makes it fun and fashionable, like the Regatta Bayeux jacket. For festival fashionistas then a lightweight rain jacket with a funky pattern such as spots and raindrops is essential for showing off a bit of style whilst staying dry, Golddigga have a selection of patterned Pack A Macs that are ideal.

Visit http://www.sportsdirect.com/Pages/Outdoor/outdoorclothing for SportsDirect.com's full selection of waterproof jackets to suit all activities and tastes.

For all media enquiries please contact Stacey.Topley@SportsDirect.com or 0870 333 9413

SOURCE SportsDirect.com


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Kombat Sportswear Launches Pre-Season Rugby Specials

Get your Rugby Team Kombat Ready, Avail Now on this Limited Time Only Offer

Mar. 26, 2014 - When it comes to sports, teams wear their pride on their sleeves (literally). Before the season hits the field it’s time to get prepared; do it with the Kombat Sportswear Pre-Seaon Specials – available for a limited time only!

Kombat Australia offers great rugby uniforms that scream pride, power and dominance whilst being comfortable and durable.

Our rugby jerseys are priced on custom design elements such as logos, numbers, choice of trim, collar, and pattern. Bought individually, the sublimated jersey starts at $35, while the sports shorts start at $19.50, with the sublimated version at $22.50.

Socks are going for $9.50 while the customized ones with logo come down to $13.50.

The rugby pre-season specials are priced with the tight budget in mind. Four bundle offers ensure you’ll find the best deal for your taste.

At just $55 Pack 1 gives you a jersey, shorts and socks at a discounted price.

Pack 2, at $49.50, gives you a panel polo shirt and a fleece hoodie with custom logo and design.

Pack 3, with a panel polo shirt, a fleece hoodie, as well as a team bag, is priced at $75.

Finally, Pack 4 offers, jersey, polo and hoodie all in team colours with custom logo for only $89.

More information is available at the Kombat Australia website (www.kombat.com.au), so check it out; the rugby pre-season special packages are available for a limited time only.


By press release

Fuji Bikes to Manufacture Design Contest Winner

Oregon Manifest and Levi's announced "The Bike Design Project"  - a pioneering bike design competition which partners five high-level design firms with American bicycle craftsmen to create the Ultimate Urban Utility Bike.

The competition advances a new era of urban mobility through the creation of five future-facing, road-tested bike prototypes with brilliantly crafted, radically useful design features. The end result: one winning design making its national debut on manufacturing partner Fuji Bikes' retail floors, and reinventing the way in which cyclists triumph over their metropoles.

"The Bike Design Project is an innovation platform challenging design leaders and bike craftsmen across the nation to collaboratively develop meaningful design solutions for the everyday rider," said Shannon Holt, Oregon Manifest co-founder. "Our goal is to not only spark new thinking around the urban bicycling experience, but to redefine the category itself."

"The Bike Design Project" teams originate from five cycle-centric cities:

• Chicago: MINIMAL x Method Bicycle
• New York City: Pensa x Horse Cycles
• Portland: INDUSTRY x Ti Cycles
• San Francisco: Huge Design x 4130 Cycle Works
• Seattle: TEAGUE x Sizemore Bicycles

Starting in March, and each subsequent month through July, "The Bike Design Project" teams' process diaries will be featured on Fast Company's online sites Co.Design and Co.Exist. Each of the diaries will give readers an inside look at the design process for each team, and provide a lens into each city's unique cycling culture.

"The Levi's brand is excited to partner with Oregon Manifest's 'The Bike Design Project' and to foster relationships with the talented teams who share our common core values, " said Levi's Senior Designer, JeWon Yu. "It's a great fit. The Levi's Commuter Collection was designed and constructed specifically for people to get around urban centers on bike, and the Bike Design Project will create some of the most innovative solutions to commuting. I think the goal in the end is the same, get more people on bikes!"

The five bike designs will be publicly revealed at a celebration event in each of the participating cities on July 25th. Each team's working prototype bike design will be presented at the reveal event in their respective cities, along with images and videos of the other four bikes.

Online voting for "The Bike Design Project" begins on July 28th and concludes on August 2, 2014. The winning design will be announced on August 4th and then move into production with the competition's Manufacturing Partner, Fuji Bikes, for its retail debut in 2015.

"This is the first time that a bike building contest has moved beyond the prototype stage into mass production; we're thrilled that we can be the company to facilitate that next step," said Fuji President and CEO Pat Cunnane. "Our goal is to harness the potential of these forward-thinking collaborations by providing the winning team access to manufacturing resources and turning the winning concept into something consumers can buy and ride."

Oregon Manifest exists to celebrate and amplify bike craft, design and innovation. They provide an independent innovation platform for designers, engineers, craftsmen and makers to collaboratively develop bike designs that can expand transportation options for the everyday citizen. They are a nonprofit organization that values the process of making, the spirit of ingenuity, and the passion of brave undertakings. For more information about the "The Bike Design Project" or Oregon Manifest,

please visit www.oregonmanifest.com.

By press release

Get The Most Out of Every Moment with The Reebok One Series Apparel Collection

Innovative performance training apparel features new "BareMOVE" zoned construction system for movement, breathability and protection.

This Spring/Summer 2014, Reebok is introducing its innovative construction system, BareMOVE, into its performance apparel range - the Reebok ONE Series. The zoned system is designed to target key areas within the apparel to keep the body cool, free and protected for a more comfortable experience when working out.

Over the past few years, Reebok product teams studied athletes performing functional movements to identify key heat zones, areas of flexibility/stretch and protection needs. These insights helped develop the BareMOVE construction system to address three main components: Movement, Cooling, and Protection. Each element has its own function within the Reebok ONE Series apparel that helps to provide the athlete with full range of motion, breathability and protection against abrasion and the elements.

The Movement zones include ergonomic seam placement to increase reach, stretch and articulation within the apparel. The Cooling zones consist of strategically placed ventilation areas to keep the body cool and dry. Anti-abrasion materials are incorporated into the Protection zones to reduce friction and also help to protect against the wind and sun.

"Our product teams have made it their priority to meet the needs of our athletes and how they train. We've spent that last three years perfecting our products to move the way the body moves. The BareMOVE system optimized the athletes' range of motion during any training movement, keeping them cool and protected, so they can focus on performing at their highest level" said Chris Froio, Head of Training at Reebok.

In Spring/Summer '14, the BareMOVE construction system will also be incorporated into the Reebok CrossFit apparel collection. Reebok's CrossFit® apparel range has been developed in partnership with CrossFit & CrossFit athletes since 2011 to ensure that it fulfills the needs of the CrossFit athletes and competitors at the CrossFit Games.

Source Reebok

China, Ogio International to Open Two New Stores in Asia

Following the highly successful debut of its first two store locations in Beijing and Shanghai, Ogio International announces the imminent opening of two additional retail locations in Asia this Spring.

The first of these new flagship stores will be in Seoul, South Korea, and is slated to open April 11. The location, in the heart of Seoul’s high-class Gangnam District, will be the biggest store to date. The 2-story location will be situated alongside major fashion houses and sporting goods manufacturers.

“We are excited that our brand retail platform is experiencing such great success,” said Tony Palma, CEO, Ogio. “We feel we are at the tip of the iceberg, with another six additional locations being evaluated for launch prior to the year ending.”

“The Seoul location is a testament to the explosive growth we foresee for the Ogio brand in Korea,” said Jae Hong June, CEO, MFS Korea (Ogio’s distribution partner). “We feel the Korean consumer will love the Ogio lifestyle, and its fashion-forward, adrenaline-driven styling.”

The second new location in Jakarta, Indonesia, is slated for opening in May. This location, housed in the oldest business district in Jakarta, will showcase an expanded golf area, complete with Ogio golf bags, apparel and footwear.

“The success of our retail locations in China has caught the attention of our International distribution partners beyond our expectations,” commented Mark Talarico, GVP of International, Ogio. “The flagship store concept is proving itself to be a fantastic marketing, sales, and most importantly, brand awareness driver.”

Ogio International got its start 25 years ago with a line of gym locker bags designed to keep fitness enthusiasts on the go and organized. Today, the company offers bags and backpacks for golf, motorsports and work. Its  Endurance collection specifically designed for triathletes, runners, cyclist and fitness enthusiasts that offer the perfect combination of protection, comfort and organization. Ogio is the official bag of choice for professional cycling team, Team Argos Shimano, and is the official bag of Iron Man, the highly acclaimed organizer of events for triathletes.

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IASC Announces Keynote Speaker for 7th Annual Skateboarding Summit and Inductees for 5th Annual Skateboarding Hall of Fame

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., (March 2014) – The International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) is excited to announce the keynote speaker for the 2014 IASC Skateboarding Summit, May 14-16, as well as inductees for the 5th Annual Skateboarding Hall of Fame on May 15. The Summit and SHOF will be held at the beautiful Westin South Coast Plaza hotel in Costa Mesa, Calif. Registration is open now and Early Bird Discounts expire on April 11.

The IASC Skateboarding Summit is a 3-day experience that brings skateboard industry leaders together in a non-competitive environment in order to educate, connect, inspire, and broaden perspectives. Enthusiasts are encouraged to spread knowledge and relay a positive sense of community within the active sports world.

This year IASC is proud to host keynote speaker, Gary Vaynerchuk. Already considered a quintessential maven of modern-day marketing, Gary is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author, as well as a self-trained wine and social media expert. In high school, while working at his family-owned liquor store, Gary started reading The Wine Spectator, among other wine books, and realized collecting wine offered an allure similar to his previous hobby of collecting baseball cards. With a newfound wealth of knowledge, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a clear recognition of the emergence of e-commerce, in 1997 Gary launched Winelibrary.com, which helped grow his family business from $3 million to $45 million by 2005. Although Gary does not consider himself to be a “techie,” he began video blogging in 2005 and established himself as a true social media trailblazer. Gaining nearly 1 million Twitter followers, Gary was included in BusinessWeek’s list of Top 20 People Every Entrepreneur Should Follow.

In the spring of 2009, Gary and his brother A.J. launched VaynerMedia, a cutting-edge branding agency that helps Fortune 500 companies, like General Electric and PepsiCo, to distinguish a voice and online presence in order to stand out among the noise of the digital age.

“Gary’s passion for his business and entrepreneurial spirit directly translates to everyone that works in our industry. The fact he has built up a following of smart marketers from within skateboarding is a testament to the universal strength of the information he shares and the strategies he lives and breathes. Having a chance to learn from someone with his grasp on modern digital marketing is an opportunity that no one who is trying to figure out better ways to engage their consumers or grow their brands in our connected world should miss!" –Josh Friedberg, Executive Director, International Association of Skateboard Companies.

Gary Vaynerchuck will join Summit attendees from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 16 for his keynote speech, Q&A, and signing of his latest book, Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook. Gary's appearance is made possible thanks to generous support from Vans. For those not attending the full Summit, a limited number of tickets will be available for Gary’s session online at: http://garyvee.eventbrite.com

The Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Icon Awards ceremony will be held at 7:00 p.m. May 15. The awards ceremony honors the skateboarders, industry pioneers, and cultural icons who have left a permanent imprint on the history of skateboarding and our culture. The 2014 inductees include: Gregg Carroll, Jim Muir, Steve Olson, Lance Mountain, Natas Kaupas, Laurie Turner DeMott and Ellen Oneal Deason.

The night will include a Happy Hour, starting at 5:00, a VIP meet-and-greet cocktail party at 6:30, which will lead into the Awards Ceremony. All proceeds benefit the not-for-profit efforts of the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and the Go Skateboarding Foundation’s Just One Board initiative. All Summit attendees are guaranteed entrance to the Hall of Fame Awards ceremony, which sold out last year, with more than 400 attendees. The Skateboarding Hall of Fame is open to the public.

Following the Summit, make sure to catch the Vans Pool Party Contest at the Vans Skatepark located seven miles from Summit on Saturday, May 17th. 20 City Blvd W #2, Orange, CA 92868.

For information on registration for the 2014 IASC Summit, visit: http://bit.ly/2014iascsummit

For tickets to the Skateboarding Hall of Fame, please visit: http://2014shof.eventbrite.com

For registration questions, please contact Jardine Hammond: jardine@theiasc.org

About IASC

The International Association of Skateboard Companies is the member-owned not-for-profit trade association of skateboarding. The mission of the IASC is to represent the global skateboarding community with a united voice by listening, understanding and acting on the needs of skateboarders and the skateboard industry. IASC’s goals are to promote skateboarding, increase participation, educate and save our members money. IASC serves its members and the skateboarding community by focusing on areas that affect not only the business but the overall sustainability and health of skateboarding as a whole. For more information, please visit: http://theiasc.org/

By press release