FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., March 22, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Oakley, Inc. (NYSE:OO) today announced the release of RADAR(tm) and FLAK JACKET(tm), two new eyewear inventions engineered for sport training and competition. As the first products to feature the company's new HYDROPHOBIC(tm) lens coating technology, these designs extend Oakley's three-decade heritage of innovation in sport performance eyewear.
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"These new inventions offer performance benefits that make them vital equipment for athletes," said Oakley, Inc. President Colin Baden. "Sport professionals demand nothing less than the very best, and we've been answering that challenge for decades. When we developed BLADES(r) in the 1980s and the M FRAME(r) in the 1990s, we utilized world-class athletes to create the ultimate in performance eyewear. Athletes have won more championships and medals with M FRAME(r) than with any other single sport product on earth. We expect RADAR(tm) and FLAK JACKET(tm) to continue building on this heritage."
"The proving ground for these new eyewear designs was in Kona at Ironman 2006. Seven of the race's top 10 finishers relied on RADAR(tm) and FLAK JACKET(tm) in the grueling 112 miles of cycling and 26.2-mile run," continued Baden. "This marked another milestone and watershed moment for Oakley's sport performance technology, made possible by all the engineers and athletes who contributed to the development of these new inventions. We are making history, again."
Featured with the new products is Oakley HYDROPHOBIC(tm), a permanent lens coating technology that performs three critical functions. First, it prevents moisture buildup, so rain and sweat won't compromise performance during training and competition. Second, it helps prevent organic substances such as skin oils from "wetting" the lens surface, so the lenses are smudge resistant and easy to keep clean. Third, its anti-static properties prevent the lenses from attracting dust and particles. These combined properties help prevent moisture and contaminates from corrupting vision during the heat of competition, ensuring the highest possible level of optical clarity and performance. For more information on Oakley HYDROPHOBIC(tm) lens technology, please check out http://oakley.com/innovation/opticalsuperiority/hydrophobic.
Additional features of the two new eyewear inventions include interchangeable lens designs that let athletes adapt to changing light conditions, optimizing performance in any environment. Interchangeable frame components let athletes adapt the frame architecture for a custom fit that stays securely in place, thanks to Oakley UNOBTAINIUM(r), a synthetic that increases grip with perspiration. The patented innovations of Oakley's HIGH DEFINITION OPTICS(r) (HDO(r)) offer unbeatable optical performance. Clarity and impact resistance for both designs meet all ANSI Z87.1 standards, and UV filtering is 100% for all lens options. The rimless lens architecture means there's nothing to block downward view, and lenses are available in several shapes.
RADAR(tm) is a single-lens design made with POLARIC ELLIPSOID(tm) geometry. FLAK JACKET(tm) is a dual-lens design made with XYZ OPTICS(r). Both proprietary geometries maximize clarity at all angles of vision, allowing for lens contours that extend peripheral view and optimize side protection against sun, wind and impact. To learn more about RADAR(tm), FLAK JACKET(tm) and other Oakley sport performance eyewear, please visit http://oakley.com/makinghistoryagain.
Optional, interchangeable lenses are available for each product and include Oakley polarized lenses for the ultimate in glare-cutting clarity and performance; high-contrast lenses for improved depth perception in overcast and low-light environments; and IRIDIUM(r) lens coatings to balance the transmission of light, optimizing performance in any sport environment. RADAR(tm) and FLAK JACKET(tm) are both available with Oakley prescription lenses.
About Oakley, Inc.
Oakley is a worldwide leader in performance optics including premium sunglasses, goggles, and prescription eyewear. Headquartered in Southern California, the company's optics brand portfolio includes Dragon, Eye Safety Systems, Fox Racing, Mosley Tribes, Oakley, Oliver Peoples, and Paul Smith Spectacles. In addition to its worldwide wholesale business, the company operates retail locations including Oakley Stores, The Optical Shop of Aspen, and Sunglass Icon, the second largest sunglass specialty chain in the United States. The company also offers a wide selection of Oakley-branded apparel, footwear, watches and accessories. Additional information is available at www.oakley.com.
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Safe Harbor Disclaimer
This press release contains certain statements of a forward-looking nature. Such statements are made pursuant to the "forward-looking statements" and "safe harbor" provisions within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to growth and strategies, future operating and financial results, financial expectations and current business indicators and are typically identified by the use of terms such as "look," "may," "should," "might," "believe," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and similar words, although some forward-looking statements may be 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 new sunglass and electronics product introductions; execution of anticipated restructuring and realignment of product categories; the company's ability to integrate and operate acquisitions; the company's ability to manage rapid growth; new and existing channel inventory management 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 customers; the ability to provide adequate fixturing to existing and future retail customers to meet anticipated needs and schedules; the dependence on optics 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; the ability of the company to integrate licensing arrangements without adversely affecting operations and the success of such initiatives. Additional factors are detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Risk Factors contained in the company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and as updated in the company's quarterly filings on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter this forward-looking information.
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