Official press release from Odlo:

Concentration on strengths: ODLO soon without bikewear

Swiss sportswear supplier ODLO is concentrating on its core business in the upcoming H/W 2004/05 collection and streamlining its product range. "We are no longer offering a CYCLING collection for the coming winter. This decision has been made in favor of our SPORTS UNDERWEAR, TEC SHIRTS and the other divisions RUNNING, X-COUNTRY and OUTDOOR," comments Head of Marketing Daniel Schaffo on the decision, "because there are more opportunities for growth here. However, we will continue to expand our presence in specialist bike retail with our CYCLING UNDERWEAR."

Focusing on its own strengths in order to offer and further develop a powerful, streamlined product range is part of ODLO's corporate strategy, which has been consistently pursued for more than a year. This also includes the emotionally appealing way in which goods are presented in the company's own store system, with which ODLO supports retailers on the one hand and appeals directly to consumers via color and visual language on the other. "ODLO is joining forces to offer customers even better, more sophisticated products of outstanding quality in the future. We want to gain more time to focus more on product development, just as we want to invest even more time in sales and retailer support," explains Daniel Schaffo.

"By streamlining our program, we will above all gain time and resources, which we will use for our existing customers and above all for our core business, SPORTS UNDERWEAR and TEC SHIRTS," says Patrik Wettstein, CEO ODLO International.

The withdrawal from the cycling business will be gradual: The CYCLING collection summer 2004, which has already been ordered, will be delivered as planned. From the following winter, ODLO will serve ambitious leisure cyclists and passionate bikers with highly functional, innovative CYCLING UNDERWEAR. The absolute novelty is the X-Stretch wind protection sports underwear, which is precisely tailored to the needs of cyclists: it is characterized by wind protection in the front area, which is highly breathable and elastic.

In addition, as a functional underwear specialist, ODLO continues to offer highly functional SPORTS UNDERWEAR for all sports, leisure and everyday wear. In addition, there is the well-known functional clothing for RUNNING, WALKING, OUTDOOR, X-COUNTRY and, of course, the ODLO SKI and TEC SHIRTS. These collection concepts remain unchanged.