NIKE, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2014 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

• Fourth quarter revenues from continuing operations up 11 percent to $7.4 billion
• Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations up 3 percent to $0.78
• Fiscal 2014 revenues from continuing operations up 10 percent to $27.8 billion
• Fiscal 2014 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations up 11 percent to $2.97
• Worldwide futures orders up 11 percent; 12 percent growth excluding currency changes
• Inventories as of May 31, 2014 up 13 percent

NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) today reported fiscal 2014 financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended May 31, 2014. Despite the negative impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, diluted earnings per share for the quarter increased 3 percent as revenue growth, gross margin expansion and a lower average share count more than offset increased SG&A investments and a higher tax rate.
Fiscal 2014 diluted earnings per share rose 11 percent to $2.97, reflecting 10 percent revenue growth, gross margin expansion, a lower tax rate and a lower average share count, which more than offset the impacts of higher SG&A investments and foreign exchange headwinds.

“These results demonstrate the energy and excitement Nike brings to the market,” said President and CEO Mark Parker. “Our ability to relentlessly innovate for consumers drove our growth in FY14, and will continue to fuel it for years to come. And as we grow, we remain focused on managing all areas of our business to drive sustainable, profitable growth for our shareholders.”*

Fourth Quarter Continuing Operations Income Statement Review

• Revenues for NIKE, Inc. rose 11 percent to $7.4 billion, up 13 percent on a currency neutral basis.
  • Revenues for the Nike Brand were $7.0 billion, up 13 percent on a currency neutral basis powered by growth in every key category and geography except Japan, where revenues were in line with the fourth quarter last year.
  • Revenues for Converse were $410 million, up 15 percent on a currency neutral basis, mainly driven by strong performance in our largest direct distribution markets:  the United States, China and the United Kingdom.
• Gross margin expanded 170 basis points to 45.6 percent. The increase was primarily attributable to higher average selling prices and continued growth in the higher margin Direct to Consumer (DTC) business, partially offset by higher product input costs and unfavorable foreign exchange rates.
• Selling and administrative expense increased 21 percent to $2.4 billion. Demand creation expense was $876 million, up 36 percent, driven by marketing support for the World Cup and key product initiatives. Operating overhead expense increased 13 percent to $1.6 billion due to higher costs for the expanding DTC business, as well as investments in infrastructure and digital innovation.
• Other expense, net was $17 million, comprised primarily of foreign exchange losses. For the quarter, the Company estimates the year-over-year change in foreign currency related gains and losses included in other expense (income), net, combined with the impact of changes in currency exchange rates on the translation of foreign currency-denominated profits, decreased pretax income by approximately $30 million.
• The effective tax rate was 23.5 percent, compared to 22.9 percent for the fourth quarter last year. The effective tax rate for the prior period was lower due to a reduction in tax reserves related to foreign operations.
• Net income increased 1 percent to $698 million while diluted earnings per share increased 3 percent to $0.78, reflecting a decrease in the weighted average diluted common shares outstanding.

Fiscal 2014 Continuing Operations Income Statement Review

• Revenues for NIKE, Inc. rose 10 percent to $27.8 billion, up 11 percent on a currency neutral basis.
  • Revenues for the Nike Brand were $26.1 billion, up 11 percent excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency.
  • Nike Brand wholesale revenues increased 8 percent on a currency neutral basis while DTC revenues grew to $5.3 billion, up 22 percent excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency, driven by 10 percent growth in comparable store sales, new store expansion and a 42 percent increase in e-commerce sales. As of May 31, 2014, the Nike Brand had 768 DTC stores in operation as compared to 678 a year ago.
  • On a currency neutral basis, Nike Brand revenue growth was driven by growth in every geography, key category and across the Brand’s Men’s, Women’s and Young Athletes’ (Kids’) businesses.
  • Revenues for Converse were $1.7 billion, up 15 percent on a currency neutral basis, mainly driven by strong performance in our largest direct distribution markets:  the United States, China and the United Kingdom.
• Gross margin expanded 120 basis points to 44.8 percent. The increase was primarily due to higher average selling prices and continued growth in the higher margin Direct to Consumer business, partially offset by higher product input costs and unfavorable foreign exchange rates.
• Selling and administrative expense grew 12 percent to $8.8 billion. Demand creation expense was $3.0 billion, up 10 percent, due to an increase in sports marketing expense, as well as marketing support for the World Cup and key product launches. Operating overhead expense increased 14 percent to $5.7 billion due to higher costs for the expanding DTC business,  investments in digital innovation and operational infrastructure.
• Other expense, net was $103 million for the fiscal year, mainly comprised of foreign exchange losses. For the year, the Company estimates the year-over-year change in foreign currency related gains and losses included in other expense (income), net, combined with the impact of changes in currency exchange rates on the translation of foreign currency-denominated profits, decreased pretax income by approximately $139 million.
• The effective tax rate was 24.0 percent, lower than the effective tax rate of 24.7 percent last year primarily due to an increase in earnings from low tax jurisdictions.
• Net income increased 10 percent to $2.7 billion while diluted earnings per share increased 11 percent to $2.97, reflecting a decline in the weighted average diluted common shares outstanding.

May 31, 2014 Balance Sheet Review for Continuing Operations

• Inventories for NIKE, Inc. were $3.9 billion, up 13 percent from May 31, 2013. Nike Brand wholesale unit inventories increased 12 percent.  Changes in the average product cost per unit, combined with the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, drove approximately 1 percentage point of net Nike Brand wholesale inventory growth.    
• Cash and short-term investments were $5.1 billion, $823 million lower than last year as growth in net income was more than offset by share repurchases and higher dividends, as well as capital investments in the business.

Share Repurchases

During the fourth quarter, NIKE, Inc. repurchased a total of 12.3 million shares for approximately $912 million as part of the four-year, $8 billion program approved by the Board of Directors in September 2012. As of the end of fiscal 2014, a total of 51.9 million shares had been repurchased under this program for approximately $3.4 billion, at an average cost of $65.83 per share.

Futures Orders

As of the end of the quarter, worldwide futures orders for Nike Brand athletic footwear and apparel scheduled for delivery from June through November 2014 totaled $13.3 billion, 11 percent higher than orders reported for the same period last year, and 12 percent higher on a currency neutral basis.*

Conference Call

Nike management will host a conference call beginning at approximately 2 p.m. PT on June 26, 2014, to review fiscal fourth quarter and full year results. The conference call will be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed at http://investors.nikeinc.com. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, an archived version will be available at the same location through 9 p.m. PT, July 3, 2014.

About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories.

For more information, Nike's earnings releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at http://investors.nikeinc.com and individuals can follow @Nike.

View the Press Release and Financial Tables

View the NIKE, Inc. Q4 financial schedules and key financial metrics calculations



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Performance Sports Group Closes US$126.5 Million U.S. Initial Public Offering

Underwriters Fully Exercise Over-Allotment Option

EXETER, NH--(Jun 25, 2014) - Performance Sports Group Ltd. ("PSG" or the "Company"), a leading developer and manufacturer of high performance sports equipment and apparel, announced today that it has completed its previously announced underwritten public offering in the United States and Canada (the "Offering") of 8,161,291 common shares at a price to the public of US$15.50 per share, for total gross proceeds of approximately US$126.5 million, including the exercise in full of the over-allotment option.

The Company's common shares are dual listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the stock symbol "PSG." After giving effect to the issuance of 8,161,291 common shares in connection with the Offering, the Company now has 39,606,451 issued and outstanding common shares and 4,325 issued and outstanding proportionate voting shares, or an equivalent of 43,931,451 common shares (assuming the conversion of all proportionate voting shares into common shares on the basis of 1,000 common shares for one proportionate voting share).

The Company will use the net proceeds of the Offering to reduce leverage and repay approximately US$119.5 million of the Company's term loan facility which was used to finance the Company's recent acquisition of Easton Baseball/Softball.

Morgan Stanley, BofA Merrill Lynch and RBC Capital Markets acted as joint book-running managers for a syndicate of underwriters in connection with the Offering.

The Company's Registration Statement became effective under the United States Securities Act of 1933 on June 19, 2014 and a copy of the Registration Statement is available at www.sec.gov. A copy of the supplemented prospectus is available at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com, and may be obtained upon request by contacting Morgan Stanley at Morgan Stanley, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, or by email at prospectus@morganstanley.com, BofA Merrill Lynch at 222 Broadway, New York, NY 10038, Attn: Prospectus Department, or by email at dg.prospectus_requests@baml.com, and from RBC Capital Markets at RBC Capital Markets, Attention: Distribution Centre, 277 Front St. W., 5th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2X4, or by email at distribution@rbccm.com.

About Performance Sports Group Ltd.

Performance Sports Group Ltd. (TSX: PSG) (NYSE: PSG) is a leading developer and manufacturer of ice hockey, roller hockey, lacrosse, baseball and softball sports equipment, as well as related apparel. The Company has the most recognized and strongest brands in ice hockey, roller hockey, baseball and softball, and holds top market share positions in these sports. Its products are marketed under the BAUER, MISSION, MAVERIK, CASCADE, INARIA, COMBAT and EASTON brand names and are distributed by sales representatives and independent distributors throughout the world. The Company is focused on building its leadership position by growing market share in all product categories and pursuing strategic acquisitions.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including with respect to the use of the net proceeds and the benefits of the Offering. Forward-looking statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. The words "may", "will", "would", "should", "could", "expects", "plans", "intends", "trends", "indications", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "likely" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words or other comparable words or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions, including those described herein and are subject to important risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the following factors: inability to maintain and enhance brands; inability to introduce new and innovative products; intense competition in the sporting equipment and apparel industries; inability to introduce technical innovation; inability to ensure third-party suppliers will meet quality and regulatory standards; inability to own, enforce, defend and protect worldwide intellectual property rights; seasonal fluctuations in the demand for our products resulting from adverse weather or other conditions; decrease in ice hockey, baseball and softball, roller hockey or lacrosse participation rates; adverse publicity related to or reduced popularity of the professional or amateur leagues in sports in which our products are used; reliance on third-party suppliers and manufacturers; disruption of distribution chain or loss of significant customers or suppliers; cost of raw materials, shipping costs and other cost pressures; risks associated with doing business abroad; inability to accurately forecast demand for products; insufficient sell through of our products at retail; inventory shrinkage or excess inventory; product liability claims and product recalls; changes in compliance standards of testing and athletic governing bodies; departure of senior executives or other key personnel; litigation, including certain class action lawsuits; employment or union-related disputes; restrictive covenants in the Company's credit facilities; inability to generate sufficient cash to service all the Company's indebtedness; inability to successfully integrate new acquisitions, inability to realize growth opportunities or cost synergies that are anticipated to result from new acquisitions; possibility that historical and pro forma combined financial information may not be representative of our results as a combined company; inability to continue making strategic acquisitions; no public market for our common shares in the United States; volatility in the market price for common shares; fluctuations in the value of certain foreign currencies, including the Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, euro, Swedish krona, Taiwanese new dollar and Thai baht in relation to the U.S. dollar; inability to manage foreign derivative instruments; general adverse economic and market conditions, as well as the factors identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's supplemented prospectus.

Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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At the OutDoor 2014, Sympatex puts the focus on the topics “Hike, Bike and City”

Munich / Unterföhring, 25th June 2014. At the OutDoor 2014, Sympatex Technologies will present its wide product and technology range again. The ecological alternative among functional textile specialists puts the focus on the product segments Hike, Bike and City during this year’s trade fair in Friedrichshafen (10th – 13th July 2014). Sympatex will introduce a novel laminate combination for breathable single-wall tents as well as a membrane-based bivi bag amongst other things.

In addition, the Munich-based functional specialists will again present a variety of new partner products to the trade visitors at their OutDoor booth (hall A4, booth 303). Here are some examples:
New products in the “Hike” category

Sympatex can now offer an alternative system to the usual PU-coated and siliconised materials of single-wall tents: perfect climate regulation and moisture management inside the tent based on the Moisture-tech® and HigH2Out® technologies.

The new Sympatex tent laminates offer highest breathability and 100% waterproofness with the lowest possible weight. Another new product in the portfolio of the Munich-based company is the Sympatex Bivi Bag. It combines the Sympatex Reflexion® membrane with a light textile base material. It is ultralight, heat-reflecting, breathable and waterproof while offering security and comfort for bivouacking.

For the season of 2015, the Finnish partner HALTI will introduce the new two-layer jacket Tiikarla. The 100% water- and windproof as well as optimal breathable Sympatex membrane provides the best climate for all outdoor activities. Tiikarla offers many functional details, for example an “active dry” lining, a big inner mesh pocket and an adjustable hood.
New products in the “Bike” category

The men’s Sympapro jacket will now complement the portfolio of the partner VAUDE. Due to the 100% water- and windproof as well as optimal breathable Sympatex membrane, the sporty bike jacket offers maximum weather protection. This product also protects the environment: The eco-friendly polyetherester Sympatex membrane is 100% recyclable, PTFE-free and PFC-free.
The new French partner Esthete Cycle will present the Sympatex model, the Eclaireur jacket.

The fashion label stands for an urban and modern city cycling style. The Sympatex membrane offers perfect weather protection. The jacket is equipped with an additional LED light system on the sleeves and on the back, providing ideal visibility in the city traffic.
New products in the “City” category

The fashion label Maharishi will also cooperate with Sympatex from now on. The British partner presents a classic olive-green two-layer parka with a partly recycled upper. The stylish functional jacket offers ideal weather protection thanks to Sympatex. All inseams are taped to be waterproof, and the outer seams are also decorated with black tapes.

The AllCast Waterproof Duck Boot M of the new Sympatex partner Crocs feels light and comfortable, just like sneakers. The “guaranteed green” Sympatex membrane creates a perfect foot climate.

Guaranteed Green – The Sympatex recyclable membrane

As one of the worldwide leading producers, Sympatex® Technologies has been a pioneer for high-tech functional materials in clothing, footwear, accessories and technical fields of application since 1986. Together with selected partners, Sympatex develops, produces and distributes membranes, laminates and functional textiles as well as finished products worldwide.

The Sympatex membrane is highly breathable, 100% wind- and waterproof and regulates the climate. It is 100% recyclable, bluesign® certified, received the ‘Öko-Tex-Standard 100′ certificate and is absolutely PTFE-free and PFC-free.

The technologies and procedures are based on the principles of ecological responsibility and sustainability with a special focus on the optimal carbon footprint. Sympatex Technologies is a subsidiary of Sympatex Holding GmbH with sales offices and branches worldwide.

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Gretchen Lindsey joins Captain Fin as merchandising and development director

Oceanside, CA – (June 24, 2014) Captain Fin announced that Gretchen Lindsey has joined the company as Merchandising and Development Director.

Lindsey joins Captain Fin from Volcom, where she was the SMU Merchandising Director. Lindsey has a wide range of experience, including development, merchandising and design.  She also has nearly 10 years of management experience.  Lindsey will oversee all production and merchandising at Captain Fin.

"We are really excited to have Gretchen in this position. Her past industry experience working for great companies will provide us with a solid foundation on which we can continue to expand our offering that fits the Captain Fin look and feel." said Danny Gillis, General Manager at Captain Fin.

“I live in Oceanside, and have grown up in the area for 25 years, so the lifestyle is in my DNA. I'm a big fan of Captain Fin, and am so impressed by the growth the brand has made in such a short time.” said Lindsey.

About Captain Fin:

Founded in 2007 by Mitch Abshere. The brand got its start by designing unique surfboard fins that feature performance based templates and art designed by the most talented of surfers and artists.  The product range has since expanded to include a full range of soft goods, wetsuits and more with the goal of keeping surfing fun and creating goods to make others smile.  The possibilities are endless. Back to the beach!

For more information, please visit: www.captainfin.com

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Levi's® Stadium Announces Venue Partnership with Feld Motor Sports

Santa Clara, CA (Wednesday, June 25, 2014) – The Santa Clara Stadium Authority announced today a multi-year venue partnership for Levi’s® Stadium with Feld Motor Sports®, a division of Feld Entertainment, the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment.

In 2015, the new home of the San Francisco 49ers will become the newest Bay Area venue to host Monster Jam® and Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship. The Bay Area will now be home to four action-packed motor sports events per year.

The event schedule for the inaugural season at Levi’s® Stadium will include:

•Monster Jam – Saturday, April 11, 2015
•Monster Energy Supercross – Saturday, April 18, 2015

Tickets for both Levi’s® Stadium events go on sale to the public today. Ticket prices for Monster Jam start at $20 (with limited VIP packages including “Total Access Pass” and “Lunch with Champions”). Tickets for Monster Energy Supercross will also start at $20. Tickets will be available to purchase online at Ticketmaster.com or LevisStadium.com, through all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or in-person at the Levi’s® Stadium Box Office. For other group ticket information and hospitality opportunities including suite rentals, please call 415-Go49ers & press option #3.

“We are thrilled to launch two additional Feld Motor Sports events in the Bay Area with our newest venue partner, the brand new state-of-the-art Levi’s® Stadium in Santa Clara,” said Ken Hudgens, Chief Operating Officer, Feld Motor Sports. “Bay Area motor sports fan reaction has only continued to grow year after year, and we are eager to give the fans what they want by offering more options to see our action-packed events in the Bay Area. Working with the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, we are eager to develop strong South Bay community relationships highlighted by the opportunity to partner with the San Francisco 49ers to help strengthen both of our brands.”

“Levi’s® Stadium was conceived as a multi-purpose venue that would bring a variety of fun and entertaining events to the South Bay. Monster Jam and Monster Energy Supercross provide our customers with a unique and exciting viewing experience,” said Julio Fuentes, Executive Director of the Santa Clara Stadium Authority. “We are happy to be working with Feld Motor Sports to bring this high-octane, two-weekend event to Santa Clara and introduce a whole new audience of passionate fans to our venue.”

To transform this remarkable new stadium into a specialized motor sports venue, Feld Motor Sports’ track construction crew will bring more than 16 million pounds of locally sourced dirt (over 500 truck loads) into the stadium.

About Feld Entertainment

Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 70 countries on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, Nuclear Cowboyz®, AMSOIL Arenacross, Marvel Universe LIVE!, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!

More information about Feld Entertainment is available online at www.feldentertainment.com.

About Levi’s® Stadium

Levi’s® Stadium will be the new home to the San Francisco 49ers, and will also serve as one of the world’s best outdoor sports and entertainment venues. It was designed by HNTB and is being built by Turner/Devcon for the Santa Clara Stadium Authority. The $1.2 billion venue will have 1.85 million square feet, seat approximately 68,500 and feature 170 luxury suites and 9,000 club seats. It was designed to be a multi-purpose facility with the flexibility to host a wide range of events, including domestic and international soccer, college football, motocross, concerts and various civic events, and will be expandable for major events such as the Super Bowl. Levi's® Stadium is owned by the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, a public joint powers authority that was established to provide for development and operation of Levi's® Stadium to ensure that the stadium serves the goals of the City of Santa Clara.

For more information, go to www.LevisStadium.com

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Crowdfunding : World's First Auto-Follow Sports Drone set for Take-Off With Stratasys 3D Printing

MINNEAPOLIS and REHOVOT, Israel, June 25, 2014 --
Entirely 3D printed auto-follow device for GoPro cameras begins US tour

Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS), a leading global provider of 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions, has announced that UAV start-up company, Helico, has successfully introduced AirDog, the world's first automated drone designed to track and video outdoor sports and activities, using Stratasys 3D printing technology.

Aimed primarily at the consumer market, AirDog is an innovative, yet simple-to-use, 'quad-copter' that operates via a wrist-worn tracking device and accommodates a standard GoPro sports camera. Users can automatically capture exciting live aerial video footage and still photography of themselves, having set distance, speed and height levels for AirDog to follow. Helico is specifically targeting the outdoor 'extreme' sports market and expects AirDog to be of particular interest to recreational participants of freestyle BMX, motocross and skateboarding, as well as water-sports such as surfing, kite-surfing and wake-boarding.

"AirDog not only grants end-users their own affordable and personal aerial video crew, but goes one step further in providing thrilling footage from distances and angles previously inaccessible to such consumers," explains Edgars Rozentals, Co-founder and CEO of the Latvia-based, Helico Aerospace Industries.

The Power of 3D printing

Prior to investigating the use of 3D printed parts, Rozentals was trying silicon-molded designs through a supplier in China. However, not only did this entail a two-week turnaround time, but the resulting models proved to be too heavy for take-off and were ultimately scrapped.

"The benefits delivered by 3D printing compared to the method we trialled originally are numerous", says Rozentals. "Above all, turnaround time is significantly reduced and if we need to make last minute changes to a design, we can do so within a matter of hours, easily and cost-effectively. This was simply unachievable before as it necessitated time-consuming production of a costly new mold.

"In fact, I'm not sure how we would have arrived at the stage of having a functional part, were it not for Stratasys 3D printing technology. I founded the company two years ago and we're a staff of three, so for start-ups like Helico, this technology isn't just a game-changer, but the ticket to the game itself," he explains.

Getting AirDog Off the Ground with 3D Printing

According to Rozentals, AirDog might literally have not got off the ground, had it not been for the instrumental role 3D printing played during the prototyping phase. The company sought the expertise of Stratasys' Latvian partner, Baltic3D, who also worked with Polish reseller Bibus Menos to meet the requirements outlined by Helico's team. In order to produce fully-functional parts that could perform in the real environment, both Stratasys' FDM and PolyJet 3D printing technologies were employed for AirDog and its AirLeash tracking device, respectively.

The final AirDog drone was fully 3D printed using Stratasys' FDM-based ULTEM material, chosen thanks to its ability to provide parts of extreme strength and durability, with the lightweight characteristics vital for take-off and in-flight manoeuvrability. "We were particularly impressed by how far we could push the boundaries of the ULTEM material," adds Rozentals. "The material's functional stability enabled us to print very thin walls that further reduced AirDog's overall weight."

Conversely, the accompanying AirLeash was developed using Stratasys' PolyJet multi-material 3D printing technology. 3D printed in a single pass, the wrist-worn device combines rigid and rubber-like materials to produce everything from the robust housing case to the soft buttons on the keypad.

"Airdog is a perfect example of how 3D printing is an enabler for inventors looking to turn their ideas into fully-operational parts quickly and effectively," says Andy Middleton, Senior Vice President and General Manager EMEA at Stratasys. "In this case, both our core 3D printing technologies have proved instrumental in producing a fully-functional drone and wrist device. With the exception of the advanced sensor technology, both parts have been created entirely using 3D printing."

A Stratasys 3D printed version of AirDog will preview this month, as Helico executives begin a month-long promotional roadshow in the US to generate interest among end-users within the extreme sports scene. If successful, and pending contractual agreements with relevant manufacturers, Helico expects to commercially introduce AirDog to the market at the end of October, 2014.

Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Rehovot, Israel, is a leading global provider of 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions. The company's patented FDM®, PolyJet™, and WDM™ 3D Printing technologies produce prototypes and manufactured goods directly from 3D CAD files or other 3D content. Systems include 3D printers for idea development, prototyping and direct digital manufacturing. Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and Solidscape, and the company operates the RedEye digital-manufacturing service. Stratasys has more than 1900 employees, holds over 550 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents globally, and has received more than 25 awards for its technology and leadership.

Online at: http://www.stratasys.com or http://blog.stratasys.com
More on Airdog Crowdfunding campaign : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/airdog/airdog-worlds-first-auto-follow-action-sports-dron 

Stratasys and Objet are registered trademarks, and Objet500, Connex, Connex3, PolyJet, Digital Materials, VeroCyan, VeroMagenta, VeroYellow, TangoBlack, and TangoBlackPlus are trademarks of Stratasys Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

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Watch this video to see how, AirDog, the world's first auto-follow action sports drone, produced with Stratasys 3D printing technology, grants end-users their own affordable and personal aerial video crew

SOURCE Stratasys Ltd.

Point6 Teams Up with Get Fit Family Racing for 2014 Summer Endurance Races and Events

Point6 Teams Up with Get Fit Family Racing for 2014 Summer Endurance Races and Events

Steamboat, Colo. — (June 25, 2014) – Point6, makers of premium merino wool socks engineered to deliver the ultimate in performance and comfort, is excited to show its support for a series of endurance races and events hosted by Get Fit Family Racing in Steamboat Springs this summer. Get Fit Family Racing is focused on getting families together and fostering a healthy lifestyle and sense of community through fitness. 

Race Schedule 

• Saturday, June 21st: Give it a Tri – Sprint Triathlon and Kids Race 
• Sunday, June 29th: Steamboat Half Iron and Olympic Triathlon
• Saturday through Monday, Aug. 30 – Sept. 1st: Steamboat Family Endurance Festival, Color Fun Run and XTERRA All Women’s Off Road Triathlon

The second annual Give it a Tri – Sprint Triathlon and Kids Race took place over the weekend at the Old Town Hot Springs Pool with a pool swim, rolling hill bike ride and easy run course. The family friendly event is geared toward athletes of all ages and abilities hoping to test their skills and endurance. Point6 donated socks for participants and was onsite with giveaways and discounts on its merino wool socks for running, cycling, hiking, active life, and more.

Later this month, the Steamboat Half Iron and Olympic Triathlon takes place June 29th for triathletes in training and seasoned competitors. Point6 will be onsite once again to cheer on participants and ‘spread the wool’. The brand will supply its performance merino wool ski socks to the 400 athletes registered for the race, plus giveaways, swag and pro deals for attendees.

Merino wool is an excellent choice for ultrarunners and endurance athletes to effectively regulate temperature and manage moisture. Merino’s natural ability to maintain the body’s optimal temperature keeps runners from overheating and maximizes comfort for long miles in the heat. Merino is also naturally breathable and quickly wicks moisture or sweat in vapor form, preventing debilitating blisters and odor causing bacteria.

Point6 lightweight running and cycling socks offer sport-specific cushioning strategically placed to protect against miles of repetitive force. Mesh ventilation panels enhance breathability and moisture management for warm days; while knit-in Achilles and arch braces ensure a snug, secure fit and extra support.

“Point6 is proud to support Get Fit Family Racing in its endeavor to bring endurance races and fitness to our community,” says Peter Duke, CEO for Point6. “These multisport, family friendly events foster a healthy lifestyle for Steamboat residents and we hope our socks will bring comfort and performance to all of the race participants.”

Get Fit Family Racing co-founder Heather Gollnick is a 5x Ironman Champion and holds a degree in Corporate Fitness. Heather is also part of the 2014 Point6 athlete ambassador team, where she helps field test and review Point6 merino wool socks for running and cycling.

Heather’s IronEdge Triathlon Team, made up of 18 competitive triathletes have all been sporting Point6 socks and reviews have been top notch. “I love the Point6 line of products, I recently completed the Leadville Marathon and because of the quality used in Point6 socks I had no rubbing or blistering, only comfort,” adds Heather Gollnick.

Get Fit Family Racing will wrap up its summer event series with the Steamboat Family Endurance Festival and XTERRA Trail Races over Labor Day weekend. Stay tuned for more details.

For more information, please visit www.point6.com or http://getfitfamilyracing.com, www.heathergollnick.com and www.ironedgecoaching.com.

More About Point6:

Makers of premium merino wool socks with sport-specific designs engineered to deliver the ultimate in performance and comfort; Point6 was launched in 2008 by merino wool innovators, Peter and Patty Duke. All Point6 socks are proudly made in the USA using state of the art knitting and compact-spinning technologies, and the brand is committed to delivering merino wool products of the utmost quality, comfort and durability.

For more information, please visit www.point6.com.

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Sitka joins 1% for the Planet

Sitka, the Victoria, B.C.-based surf, skate and outdoor clothing brand, is proud to announce its membership in 1% for the Planet as of July 1, 2014.

A global network of businesses that donate 1% or more of annual sales to non-profit groups focused on environmental sustainability, 1% for the Planet brings together progressive organizations willing to make a genuine financial commitment to creating a healthier planet and a more sustainable future.

Founded in 2002 as a custom surfboard company, Sitka has always been aware that its viability as a business is dependent on clean air, clean water, intact wilderness and good growing land.

"The idea of 1% for the Planet really aligns with the principles we founded the company on," says Sitka co-founder Andrew Paine. "We see it as essential for businesses to be connected to nature, and this is a way to do it. It takes capitalism and connects it to environmentalism, and shows that those two don't have to be separated like they are in so many ways."

Started by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet now has over 1200 members, including Patagonia, Clif Bar, MEC and Brushfire Records.

The organization annually verifies that members are making their contributions, and the recipient non-profits are vetted for credibility, track record and impact. Over $100 million has been donated directly to environmental action in the last 10 years.

"Sitka's vision is a world in balance," notes Sitka co-founder Rene Gauthier, "and it's our responsibility as a company to join with others to build a foundation for achieving that balance. We want to illustrate what's possible in business through our actions, and inspire others to do the same."
Causes that Sitka will be donating to include conservation science, salmon enhancement and creating an oil-free B.C. coast.

For more information, click here.

By press releasde

olloclip Introduces 4-IN-1 Photo Lens for the iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina display

NEW YORK, June 25, 2014 -- CE Week Booth #103 -- olloclip® (www.olloclip.com), the creator of easy-to-use mobile photography tools, is taking mobile photography an important step further with the olloclip 4-IN-1 Photo Lens for the iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina display for $69.99 USD.

The olloclip 4-IN-1 lens system features four lenses (fisheye, wide-angle and two macros – 10x and 15x) in one small package weighing less than an ounce. The four new quick-change lenses are similar to those available with larger DSLR cameras, yet compact enough to fit in a pocket and the palm of the hand.

Simple, elegant and unobtrusive, the olloclip 4-IN-1 Photo Lens connects to the iPad in seconds. With the fisheye and wide-angle lenses on opposite sides, selecting a lens is as simple as flipping the lens over. The macro lenses are cleverly revealed by unscrewing either the fisheye or wide-angle lens.

Product features/benefits:

• Fisheye lens	captures approximately a 180° field of view
• Wide-Angle lens	nearly doubles the iPad's normal field of view
• 10x Macro lens	10X magnification with an 18mm focus distance
• 15x Macro lens	15X magnification with a 12mm focus distance
• Colors	silver lens with black clip

silver lens with black clip

The olloclip 4-IN-1 lens works with all popular apps in photo and video mode, making it easy for sports and travel enthusiasts, amateur and professional photographers to get exactly the shots and videos they want, whenever they want.

The olloclip 4-IN-1 Photo Lens for the iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina display can be purchased at http://www.olloclip.com or through Apple and other major retailers.

More information on the full olloclip product lineup of mobile photography tools for Apple devices, including the Telephoto + Circular Polarizing Lens (CPL), Macro 3-in1 lens, and Quick-Flip™ case with Pro-Photo Adapter for iPhone and iPod touch, is available at www.olloclip.com.

About olloclip

The olloclip® brand is synonymous with creativity in one's pocket. With olloclip products, amateur and professional photographers alike can capture and share life experiences, more easily, spontaneously and artistically than ever before. A person's mobile phone becomes a window to the world — and mobile photography and videography enter a whole new realm of possibility.

For more information, visit olloclip.com.

SOURCE olloclip

US Sales continue to rise as summer sets in

NEW YORK, June 24, 2014 – The arrival of summer gave way to a rise in weekly sales for the second consecutive week, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index (ICSC-GS). 

Overall, according to the index, weekly chain store sales jumped by a solid 2.0% for the week ending June 21, 2014. 

On a year-over-year basis sales also rose sharply and posted a 4.1% gain - the strongest year-over-year pace in more than a year.  The previous high occurred for the week ending June 1, 2013, which was up 4.3% from its comparable week of the prior year.

“Business was up sharply relative to the same week of the prior year for most segments according to the ICSC-GS consumer tracking survey.  This was especially seen in department stores, discounters, dollar stores and wholesale clubs as they all posted hefty year-over-year gains,” said Michael Niemira, ICSC vice president of research and chief economist. “June tends to be second highest sales volume month of the year, accounting about 10% of annual sales, so the recent strength is encouraging,” Niemira added.

Looking ahead, ICSC Research forecasts that June monthly comp-store sales will increase by 3.5% on a year-over-year basis.

Week Ending     Index 1977=100      Year/Year Change       Weekly Change
21-June-14                 568.2                                      4.1%                            2.0%
14-June-14                 557.0                                      3.1%                            0.4%
07-June-14                 554.6                                      3.0%                           -2.8%
31-May-14                  570.4                                      3.1%                             2.9%

The Weekly Chain Store Sales Snapshot is produced by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs. This index measures U.S. nominal same-store or comparable-store sales excluding restaurant and vehicle demand.

The weekly index is constructed as a sales-weighted geometric average growth rate to preserve long-term consistency and is statistically benchmarked to a broad-based monthly retail industry sales aggregate that currently represents a sampling of leading retail chain stores, which also is compiled by ICSC. A representative sample of those major retailers has been used as a control group to extrapolate the weekly sales index.

As such, the weekly index statistically represents industry sales and is not just a sum of sales for a handful of retailers. The standard period used for the index is Sunday through Saturday, even though some retailers use a different weekly accounting period. The weekly sales index is presented on an adjusted basis to account for normal seasonality and to counter other data anomalies.

Weekly seasonal adjustment is at best difficult for chain store sales given that retailers can and often do shift promotions to counter typical shifts in the calendar. Nonetheless, the approach to weekly seasonal adjustment used follows from the Piser Method, which was popular in the early 1930s and became the standard for weekly adjustment.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a bank holding company and a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm. Goldman Sachs provides a wide range of services worldwide to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high net worth individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong and other major financial centers around the world.

Founded in 1957, ICSC is the premier global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its more than 60,000 members in over 90 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and brokers, as well as academics and public officials.  As the global industry trade association, ICSC links with more than 25 national and regional shopping center councils throughout the world. 

For more information, visit www.icsc.org. 


By press release