FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., Aug. 15, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Oakley, Inc. (NYSE:OO) today announced the release of its fall 2005 footwear line. The new products include unique lifestyle designs for men and women, as well as technical pieces including subzero winter boots engineered to set new standards of performance.
"Part of the vision behind our latest lifestyle footwear line is the aggressive styling that bolsters our brand identity with a younger customer base and those who compete in the core sports of surf, skate, snow and MX/BMX," said Oakley President Colin Baden. "The fall collection also features some of the most technically advanced footwear we've ever created as we take advantage of the crossover technologies among our diversified product categories. Innovations from our Military/Industrial Division have found their way to the general public in the boot products of this innovative new footwear line."
Oakley is once again raising the bar in its technical footwear category with a new boot called CASING(TM) -- an evolutionary nod to the previously successful NAIL(TM) boot. Premium grade outerwear construction which utilizes waterproof leathers and Nubuc are combined with 600g Thinsulate(TM) insulation for winter protection down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. A breathable eVent(R) waterproof membrane helps keep the foot comfortably dry while a full gusseted tongue prevents unwanted debris entry. The tread design is engineered for all-terrain traction. Convenience features include a single-pull speed lacing system and a removable pocket for storing emergency items or personal effects. Oakley offers a full two-year waterproofing warranty on this product.
Photos accompanying this release are available at the following URLs:
http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1778
http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1779
http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1780
A new military inspired, lightweight hiking boot called FLAK JACKET(TM) will be available in low and mid-rise designs and will feature a breathable eVent(R) waterproof membrane, plus etc(TM) lining known for minimizing friction. Additionally, comfort is matched with premium shock absorption and traction in the company's new GATLING(TM) boot with a welted outsole which offers maximized ankle support in an all-terrain design.
A centerpiece in the company's new array of lifestyle footwear inventions, Oakley S.I.L.K.(TM) is highlighted by a layered graphic treatment that was inspired by the company's latest apparel design language. This comfortable, lightweight shoe was developed as everyday wear for Oakley's core sports athletes, offering aggressive design cues that speak to the lifestyle of young men and women who define fashion. S.I.L.K.(TM) will be available in lace-up, laceless and over-the-ankle variants. Additional new footwear designs in the lifestyle category include SPLINE(TM), SHOVEL(TM), STRAP(TM) and RIP CORD(TM), all of which feature the all-day comfort, resilient shock absorption, and refreshingly unconventional styling that has become synonymous with the company's shoe technology.
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 a full array of products including performance apparel and accessories, prescription eyewear, footwear, watches and electronics to consumers in more than 100 countries. Trailing-12-month net sales through June 30, 2005 totaled $615.3 million and generated net income of $49.0 million. Oakley, Inc. press releases, SEC filings and the company's annual report are available at www.oakley.com.
The Oakley Inc. logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1533
The photos can also be found via AP PhotoExpress and at NewsCom, www.newscom.com
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This press release contains certain statements of a forward-looking nature. Such statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to growth and strategies, future operating and financial results, financial expectations and current business indicators are based upon current information and expectations and are subject to change based on factors beyond the control of the company. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as "look," "may," "will," "should," "might," "believe," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. The accuracy of such statements may be impacted by a number of business risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated, including but not limited to: risks related to the sale of OAKLEY THUMP and new product introductions in the company's electronics category; the company's ability to maintain approved vendor status and continue to receive product orders from the U.S. military; the company's ability to integrate and operate acquisitions, the company's ability to manage rapid growth; risks related to the limited visibility of future sunglass orders associated with the company's "at once" production and fulfillment business model; the ability to identify qualified manufacturing partners; the ability to coordinate product development and production processes with those partners; the ability of those manufacturing partners and the company's internal production operations to increase production volumes on raw materials and finished goods in a timely fashion in response to increasing demand and enable the company to achieve timely delivery of finished goods to its retail customers; the ability to provide adequate fixturing to existing and future retail customers to meet anticipated needs and schedules; the dependence on eyewear sales to Luxottica Group S.p.A, which, as a major competitor, could materially alter or terminate its relationship with the company; the company's ability to expand and grow its distribution channels and its own retail operations; unanticipated changes in general market conditions or other factors, which may result in cancellations of advance orders or a reduction in the rate of reorders placed by retailers; a weakening of economic conditions could continue to reduce demand for products sold by the company and could adversely affect profitability, especially of the company's retail operations; terrorist acts, or the threat thereof, could adversely affect consumer confidence and spending, could interrupt production and distribution of product and raw materials and could, as a result, adversely affect the company's operations and financial performance; the ability of the company to integrate licensing arrangements without adversely affecting operations and the success of such initiatives; the ability to continue to develop and produce innovative new products and introduce them in a timely manner; the acceptance in the marketplace of the company's new products and changes in consumer preferences; reductions in sales of products, either as the result of economic or other conditions or reduced consumer acceptance of a product, could result in a buildup of inventory; the ability to source raw materials and finished products at favorable prices to the company; the potential impact of periodic power crises on the company's operations including temporary blackouts at the company's facilities; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; earthquakes or other natural disasters concentrated in Southern California where a significant portion of the company's operations are based; the company's ability to identify and execute successfully cost control initiatives; and other risks outlined in the company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and other filings made periodically by the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to update this forward-looking information. Nonetheless, the Company reserves the right to make such updates from time to time by press release, periodic report or other method of public disclosure without the need for specific reference to this press release. No such update shall be deemed to indicate that other statements not addressed by such update remain correct or create an obligation to provide any other updates.
