Swany and Exel Sports agree on distribution partnership

SWANY AND EXEL SPORTS AGREE ON DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP

The two niche leaders SWANY and Exel Sports partner up in distribution. The parties have found mutual agreement for distribution partnership in three important markets: Germany, Sweden and Finland. Companies are also evaluating other strategic co-operation possibilities.

After several months of negotiation both parties found mutual agreement about distribution partnership and are exploring further co-operation possibilities. “Originally we were looking for strong distribution partners in some European key markets. But shortly after starting negotiations we figured that there is much more potential in a partnership with a company like Exel Sports that would bring a lot more added value to everybody in the value-chain – from manufacturing to retail to customers. Fortunately Exel had the same view. I consider it a key factor that complementary industry leaders such as SWANY and Exel join forces and evaluate the possibilities to re-invent market systems. We are very pleased with the outcome of the negotiations and the upcoming co-operation“, says Markus Kellermüller, Executive Vice- President SWANY Europe GmbH.

Exel Sports will simultaneously take over the distribution of SWANY gloves in Germany, Finland and Sweden starting with the pre-sales for the season 2008/2009.

Aki Karihtala, President/CEO of Exel Sports Oy: ”Our two companies have similar set-ups which is why there was mutual understanding from the very beginning. SWANY is world wide the only glove company that is successful as a brand in North America, Asia and Europe. Furthermore SWANY is running its own glove factories. This similar structure and targets open totally new opportunities for both companies in manufacturing and R&D as well as in promoting our products. We envision a boost to our product innovation efforts that will consequently provide much faster added-value to our retailers and customers due to the distribution agreement that is an integral part of our partnership.“


Information about the companies:

SWANY EUROPE GMBH
SWANY Europe with its headquarters in Switzerland belongs to the SWANY Corporation Japan that is amongst the world’s largest manufacturers of technical sports gloves. Operating its own factories in China SWANY employs some 2,500 staff world wide.

For further information visit: www.swanyeurope.com

Press contact:
Markus Kellermüller
SWANY Europe GmbH, Tösstalstrasse 212, CH-8405 Winterthur
Tel: +41 52 238 12 15 or E-mail: mkellermueller@swanyeurope.com





EXEL SPORTS OY
Exel Sports Oy, based in Finland, is a one of the leading producers of composite high-end products such as poles for Nordic Walking, cross-country skiing, alpine, trekking, floorball and sports accessories. Exel Sports is a subsidiary of Exel plc, which has internationally 550 employees and turnover of 112.4 million Euros (2006).

For further information visit: www.exelsports.net

Press Contact:
Aki Karihtala, Exel Sports Oy
Tel: +358 (20) 7541 222 or E-mail: aki.karihtala@exel.fi
Or visit: www.exelsports.net