Montreal, Canada -- 10/07/2009
Dorel Unveils Growth Plans for its Performance Apparel Division.
Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) today announced a number
of initiatives to further grow its Performance Apparel Division within
the Company's Recreational/Leisure segment.
The newly named Apparel Footwear Group (AFG) will incorporate
SUGOI Performance Apparel as well as the apparel lines of Cannondale,
GT, Schwinn, Iron Horse and Mongoose - in both custom and its regular
offerings. Plans include an investment in new equipment, facilities and
additional employees.
A key component will be the expansion of one of Dorel's recently
created centres of excellence. As of January 2010, SUGOI's operations
will relocate to a 70,000 square foot facility in Metro-Vancouver.
"An important focus of AFG will be to build the custom apparel
business - developing specific riding and running uniforms for
teams and clubs.
The new Vancouver facility will allow SUGOI to increase custom
apparel capacity and offer lead times well above industry standards.
We've barely scratched the surface in this expanding market and
expect SUGOI to triple its custom apparel business within five years,"
stated Robert P. Baird, President of Dorel's Recreational/Leisure
segment.
Apparel industry veteran tapped to head up AFG
Chris Fuentes, who has almost 30 years in sales and marketing,
many in the apparel sector, will be AFG's President. He began his
career on the professional tennis circuit where he spent five years
with sports celebrities, sponsors, media and brands, all of which
helped shape his marketing expertise.
Subsequently he was based in Dusseldorf, London and New York
working in sales and marketing with Time International, gaining
further insight into building global brands. He then held senior
positions with a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel.
In his most recent position with this organization Chris led all brand
marketing, communication and promotion of retail, wholesale and
licensing worldwide for the $1 billion Nautica lifestyle brand with 40
product categories in 70 countries.
Chris is a passionate cyclist, tennis player, sometimes golfer and
an active supporter of A Better Chance, a charity that enables
underprivileged, gifted minorities a chance to succeed via superior
education.
"This is another example of Dorel's strong commitment to this
business. We are confident that this latest investment and new
direction will allow AFG to grow exponentially by providing quality
performance apparel with a variety of silhouettes, textiles, features
and designs to match each brand's market position," concluded
Mr. Baird.
Profile
Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) is a world class juvenile
products and bicycle company. Established in 1962, Dorel creates
style and excitement in equal measure to safety, quality and value.
The Company's lifestyle leadership position is pronounced in both
its Juvenile and Bicycle categories with an array of trend-setting
products.
Dorel's powerfully branded products include Safety 1st, Quinny,
Cosco, Maxi-Cosi and Bébé Confort in Juvenile, as well as Cannondale,
Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, Iron Horse and SUGOI in Recreational/Leisure.
Dorel's Home Furnishings segment markets a wide assortment
of furniture products, both domestically produced and imported.
Dorel is a US$2.2 billion company with 4700 employees,
facilities in eighteen countries, and sales worldwide.
