FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., June 27, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Oakley, Inc. (NYSE:OO) today announced plans to launch an exclusive line of highly fire-resistant clothing made with O-CarbonX, a proprietary blend of CarbonX(r), an invention of Chapman Innovations engineered specifically for the highly volatile world of motor sports. The co-branded base-layer apparel was demonstrated yesterday for media and NASCAR drivers at the Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR event held in Sonoma, Calif.
"Building on the success of our footwear collaboration with Chapman, which yielded the most flame and heat-resistant race boot ever made, O-CarbonX fabric enables us to pursue the same superior protection, comfort, and performance in racing apparel," said Jim Jannard, founder and CEO of Oakley. "This ultra-safe technology represents the next generation of innovative fire resistance and we believe that Oakley is positioned to take full advantage of these opportunities in future applications."
"Oakley's passion for innovation and understanding of real-world applications makes it a natural partner to push CarbonX into a broader range of products," said Tyler Thatcher, president of Chapman Innovations. "Working together, we are significantly advancing the industry's level of safety and performance for drivers and crews."
"It's great to see a company like Oakley push the industry's technology envelope and continue to strive for better driver safety," said Jamie McMurray, driver, Texaco/Havoline Dodge car #42.
O-CarbonX is a proprietary blend of fibers developed by Chapman Innovations specifically for Oakley. The fabric offers unsurpassed protection against heat and flame, yet can still be worn comfortably next to the skin. O-CarbonX flame-resistant material provides a persistent protective barrier when exposed to direct flame reaching temperatures in excess of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 seconds without shrinking, charring, or losing structural integrity. Oakley's O-CarbonX protective motor sports apparel will be available in long and short-sleeve tops, bottoms, balaclavas, and high performance racing gloves. The products will be distributed by Speedware Motorsports, the largest distributor of motor sports apparel in North America and have expected availability in the third quarter of 2005. More information is available at http://oakley.com/racing.
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About Chapman Innovations
Chapman Innovations develops and markets CarbonX(r) non-flammable fabrics. Everyday, people that work in extreme environments, including race car drivers and crews, firemen, and industrial workers depend on CarbonX(r) products to protect themselves from heat and flame. For more information, visit www.chapmaninnovations.com.
About Oakley, Inc.
Oakley: a world brand, driven to ignite the imagination through the fusion of art and science. Building on its legacy of innovative, market-leading, premium sunglasses, the company offers performance apparel and accessories, prescription eyewear, footwear, electronics and watches to consumers in more than 100 countries. Trailing-12-month net sales through March 31, 2005 totaled $598.6 million and generated net income of $44.7 million. Oakley, Inc. press releases, SEC filings and the company's annual report are available at www.oakley.com.
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