ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 1, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Action Products International, Inc. (Nasdaq:APII), a leading toy designer and manufacturer of educational and positive, non-violent branded toys for pre-school children through pre-teens, today announced that the Company has achieved significant sales growth of 38% in the Museums and Attractions channels during the first seven months of 2004, (January -- July) compared to last year. Action Products reports that these very profitable channels now account for approximately 30% of the Company's total sales compared to only 17% in 2003. Specifically, the Zoos and Aquariums sales increased 86%, Theme Parks and Attractions sales rose 36%, Museum sales rose 30%; and the Imprinted Souvenirs & Gifts sales to these channels shot up over 115%. Additionally, the company has gained new distribution in over 200 accounts, including some of the largest and most prestigious, including the San Diego Zoo, National Aquarium in Baltimore, National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and the Atlanta Zoo.
"We are very pleased to see the outstanding sales growth in these important and profitable specialty channels, especially the growth we are achieving in Zoos and Aquariums," stated Jerry Sage, Vice President Sales. "The significant increase in all these channels is attributed to new distribution, new products and organic growth of our existing popular brands." He added, "For example, I Dig(r) increased 50%, Wild Climbers(tm) and Climb@Tron(tm) increased 100% and, Play and Store(tm) increased 39%."
Action Products' growth in the Museum and Attractions channels is a result of the Company's focused new distribution initiatives and aggressive growth strategy, which includes developing its brands in broad and diversified specialty stores. The new business being developed in all the specialty channels is helping offset the orderly cut back by a major toy chain and the bankruptcy of another.
ABOUT ACTION PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL
Action Products International, Inc. is a leading designer and manufacturer of educational and positive branded toys emphasizing fun. Quality brands including JAY JAY THE JET PLANE Wooden Adventure System(tm), I Dig Dinosaurs(r) and I Dig Treasures(r) excavation activity kits, Space Voyagers(r) ("The most authentic Space Toys on Earth"), Wild Climbers(tm) and Climb@Tron(tm) window-climbing animals and robots, Play and Store(tm) themed playsets, Kidz Workshop(tm) wooden projects, and Drop Zone Extreme(tm) parachute toys, and Curiosity Kits(r), a leading, award-winning specialty brand for kids' craft and activity kits. Its products are marketed and sold worldwide to specialty retailers, museums, toy stores, theme parks, attractions, zoos, catalog companies, Internet retailers, and educational markets.
For more information on Action Products' toys, email marketing@apii.com or visit the Company's web site at www.apii.com.
Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements. It is possible that the assumptions made by management for purposes of such statements may not materialize. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements. Such statements may involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those relating to product demand, pricing, market acceptance, the effect of economic conditions, and intellectual property rights and the outcome of competitive products, risks in product development, the results of financing efforts, the ability to complete transactions, and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement for events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.