Smith & Wesson Enters Apparel Licensing Agreement
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Jan. 25/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (AMEX:SWB), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 153-year old global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Joe Blow Tees, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of high-quality apparel for companies, including General Motors, Corvette, Ford, National Geographic, and Snap-On Tools. Joe Blow Tees has licensed use of the Smith & Wesson brand and logo to appear on a newly created line of t-shirts, sweatshirts and caps.
Under the terms of the agreement, Joe Blow Tees will design, manufacture and market a complete line of Smith & Wesson logo t-shirts, sweatshirts and caps that it will market to hunting and sporting goods retailers, as well as to upscale general retail outlets. Products will also be available on the Smith & Wesson website and are expected to carry a retail price of between $15 and $50.
Smith & Wesson's Vice President of Licensing, Bobbie Hunnicutt, said, "We selected Joe Blow Tees because of its extensive experience with not only specialty brands, but also with the specialty brand marketing techniques and distribution networks that truly drive brand value for licensors. As one of the oldest brands in country, Smith & Wesson represents Americana for many of our loyal customers and newcomers alike. Joe Blow Tees understands the rich, 153-year history of Smith & Wesson and has the ability to assure that this vintage line of shirts and hats reaches into broad, new markets with our message of safety, security, protection and sport. In addition, Joe Blow Tees is well regarded for its graphic design work, its high-quality, upscale product lines, and its fulfillment capability."
Stewart Cohen, President of Joe Blow Tees, said, "We're thrilled to be working with a company that has the rich history and strong brand value that Smith & Wesson has earned. We have built our reputation with world-class, well-established companies by developing apparel that is contemporary, yet successfully conveys each company's unique brand and philosophy. Smith & Wesson fans have tremendous pride, not unlike the many police, fire departments and emergency/rescue teams we support. Because of that pride, the Smith & Wesson brand lends itself well to a tasteful, stylish line of shirts with a vintage and contemporary look and feel that captures the loyalty of Smith & Wesson enthusiasts. We feel that there is a call for this type of product in the market and we look forward to developing and marketing a line that we believe will become quite popular."
The first designs in the Smith & Wesson series will be unveiled at SHOT Show 2006, to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, February 9-12, 2006. Joe Blow Tees, Inc. will join other recently named licensees, Parley Cosmetics, Inc. and Sentry Safe, in the Smith & Wesson booth, along with other long-time Smith & Wesson licensees.
About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson is a global provider of products and services for the safety, security, protection and sport markets. The Company manufactures firearms and handcuffs and is home to America's longest-running firearms training facilities for America's public servants. The Company also markets a variety of products for sport shooters including firearm safety/security devices, shooter protective gear, knives, apparel, footwear and other accessory lines. The Company is based in Springfield, Mass., with manufacturing facilities in Springfield and Houlton, Maine. Contact (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com.
Certain statements contained in this document may be deemed to be forward-looking statements under federal securities laws, and Smith & Wesson intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements include the reputations of both companies and the success of their collaboration. The Company cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Such factors include the ability to manufacture the products within required quality standards; market demand for the products; as well as other risks as identified from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and Annual Reports on Form 10-K.
Contact: Elizabeth Sharp
VP, Investor Relations
480-949-9700 x.115
lsharp@smith-wesson.com
Stewart Cohen
President
Joe Blow Tees, Inc.
410-923-5300 Ext. 15
stewart@joeblow.com
Source: Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation
CONTACT: Elizabeth Sharp, VP, Investor Relations of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, +1-480-949-9700, ext. 115, lsharp@smith-wesson.com; or Stewart Cohen, President of Joe Blow Tees, Inc., +1-410-923-5300, ext. 15, stewart@joeblow.com
Web site: www.smith-wesson.com/
