| DADEN GROUP ACQUIRES DELONG SPORTSWEAR ASSETS GRINNELL, IOWA – SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 – Daden Group Inc., based in Coralville, Iowa, announced today that it has reached an agreement to purchase certain assets from Delong Sportswear. Daden Group will also lease Delong’s corporate office and materials distribution center in Grinnell, Iowa. DeLong, a leading provider of athletic uniforms, headwear and award jackets ceased operations in April 2009. Bill Gansen, Chief Executive Officer of Daden Group stated, “It is our intent to begin operations in Grinnell within 30-60 days. During this time the company will contact and interview potential employees that are interested in working for Daden. We look forward to being a part of Grinnell, and wish to thank the community for their support of our efforts thus far.” Daden was formed in 2005 by the former President and Vice President of adidas Team, Inc. which Daden executives co-founded in 1999 as Valley Apparel Company. Valley marketed and sold products under exclusive licenses with adidas America, Major League Baseball, NFL, Major League Soccer, US Olympics, professional athletes and over 100 colleges and universities. Valley was purchased in 2004 by adidas and renamed adidas Team, Inc. Daden currently partners with top sporting goods brands through license and supplier agreements. The company’s products are sold to major retailers and team dealers throughout the United States and Canada. “We will continue to pursue other acquisitions, licenses and partnerships. These pursuits will provide additional opportunities for our company, its business partners, shareholders and employees”, said Mr. Gansen. Daden Group has received funding from the Iowa Rural Vitality Fund, LP. This fund was initially created by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation as part of “Renew Rural Iowa” an innovative program to encourage economic growth in Iowa’s rural communities. The fund has grown to include additional investments from Wellmark, Inc. and Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO). “We are excited to be part of Daden Group’s efforts and share their commitment to creating opportunities for rural Iowa companies and their communities,” said Iowa Farm Bureau Economic Development Administrator Sandy Ehrig. “We have worked with Daden’s executive team for over ten years and look forward to helping them grow their business.” |
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| ROCK CREEK PURCHASES DELONG AWARD JACKET BUSINESS FROM DADEN GROUP GRINNELL, IOWA – JULY 13, 2010 –Rock Creek Athletics based in Grinnell, Iowa is excited to announce the acquisition of the varsity award jacket business assets from Daden Group, also based in Grinnell, Iowa, including the well established DeLong brand. The assets will be integrated with Rock Creek’s production capabilities in Grinnell, and the company will continue to market and sell products primarily through the existing independent sales channels. Several Daden senior managers will join Rock Creek bringing with them their experience and talents in the sports apparel segment. Rock Creek Athletics is a subsidiary of Neff Motivation, Inc., a leading single source provider of custom award programs and apparel. |
| adidas-SALOMON ACQUIRES VALLEY APPAREL PORTLAND, ORE./HERZOGENAURACH, JUNE 17, 2004 – – adidas-Salomon AG announced today that it has acquired Valley Apparel Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a producer and distributor of collegiate and professional league apparel and accessories. Valley specializes in serving small- to mid-size retailers, such as sporting goods stores, department stores, fan shops and college bookstores, and is recognized forits ability to produce and deliver large quantities of apparel and branded accessories within hours of a team’s victory. Valley licenses apparel for over 140 colleges and universities, as well as over 100 legendary professional athletes, including such stars as Magic Johnson, Joe Montana and Joe Namath. The company, to be renamed adidas Team in 2005, will also continue to manage adidas’ licensed products such as Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer. “Although this represents only a minor investment for the Group, we are confident that this acquisition is another important step to better control the adidas brand in the all- important North American market,” said Erich Stamminger, President and CEO of adidas America. Valley became an adidas licensee in 1999. Initially Valley produced and distributed tshirts,fleece, team replica and authentic jerseys. The relationship continued to grow to include all adult products, as well as licensed headwear, licensed accessories, children’s licensed styles, and certain distribution rights for adidas branded apparel to college bookstores. Contacts: Media Relations Investor Relations Jan Runau Natalie M. Knight Head of Corporate PR Head of Investor Relations Tel.: +49 (0) 9132 84-3830 Tel.: +49 (0) 9132 84-3584 Anne Putz, Dr. Charlotte Brigitte Loos Corporate PR Manager Investor Relations Manager Tel.: +49 (0) 9132 84-2964 Tel.: +49 (0) 9132 84-2187 Doug Donsky Hendric Junker Edelman (U.S. Media) Investor Relations Manager (212) 704-4473 Tel.: +49 (0) 9132 84-4989 Please visit our corporate website: www.adidas-Salomon.com |
| Copyright 2011 Daden Group, Inc. PO Box 11305 Cedar Rapids, IA 52410-1305 admin@dadengroup.com |
| adidas TO EXPAND VALLEY APPAREL TIES AUGUST 24, 2001 BEAVERTON, ORE. - adidas America will expand its relationship with Valley Apparel, the company responsible for nearly all of the development, sales and marketing for adidas adult-licensed apparel. The expanded agreement includes products licensed through the National Football League, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, Collegiate Licensing Company and certain adidas collegiate partners. "adidas is very excited about the increased involvement with Valley, which allows us to offer more diverse licensed products to our customers," said David Howitt, adidas America director of licensing and business development. Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Valley has been the Adidas America licensee for licensed adult T-shirts, fleece and jerseys since 1999. "adidas is excels in providing the best products for athletes and sport enthusiasts worldwide," said William Gansen, President, Valley Apparel. "Valley's quick response capability, coupled with adidas' commitment to quality will provide our retail partners a great mix of service and product." adidas America is a subsidiary of adidas-Salomon AG, a corporation that also includes sports brands Salomon, Taylor Made, Bonfire and Mavic. Beaverton, Ore.-based adidas America will expand its relationship with Valley Apparel, the company responsible for nearly all of the development, sales and marketing for Adidas adult-licensed apparel. The expanded agreement includes products licensed through the National Football League, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, Collegiate Licensing Company and certain adidas collegiate partners. "adidas is very excited about the increased involvement with Valley, which allows us to offer more diverse licensed products to our customers," said David Howitt, adidas America director of licensing and business development. Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Valley has been the adidas America licensee for licensed adult T-shirts, fleece and jerseys since 1999. "adidas is one of the proven leaders in providing the best products for athletes and sport enthusiasts worldwide," said William Gansen, President, Valley Apparel. "Valley's quick response capability, coupled with adidas' commitment to quality will provide our retail partners a great mix of service and product." adidas America is a subsidiary of adidas-Salomon AG, a corporation that also includes sports brands Salomon, Taylor Made, Bonfire and Mavic. |
| adidas AND VALLEY APPAREL TEAM UP WITH BASKEBALL GREAT EARVIN “MAGIC” JOHNSON TO OFFER AUTHENTIC COLLEGIATE JERSEYS PORTLAND, ORE., MARCH 26, 2003 -- Starting this fall consumers will be able to purchase the authentic collegiate jerseys of legendary athletes featuring sports greatest names and numbers as they appeared on their alma matter's uniforms. This new offering is the result of collaboration between Valley Apparel, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and adidas America. The initial product offering will include authentic basketball and football throw-back jerseys featuring legendary athletes in the era they participated at the college level. "Great care will be taken to ensure the product's authenticity by utilizing the same fabrics, treatments and embellishments as the jerseys worn in the years that the athletes were amateurs," explained David Howitt, Director of Licensing and Business Development, adidas America. "adidas is the authentic sports brand with a history with US Colleges that dates back over forty years," stated Johnson. "When most of us players were in College there were only two brands in the market and adidas was one of them. It is exciting to re-introduce these authentic products to a new generation of adidas consumers." All partners will be working very closely on everything from product development and distribution, to promoting the line and securing athlete partnerships. Magic Johnson is very involved in the project offering his services to access athletes, and promote the product. In addition, Magic Johnson has accepted a position as a member of the Board of Directors of Valley Apparel. "Teaming up with Earvin 'Magic' Johnson to bring authentic collegiate jerseys bearing the name and number of some of the greatest athletes ever allows adidas to further its goal of becoming the leading sports brand in the world," commented Bill Gansen, president of Valley. "The popularity of authentic sports jerseys has been on the rise, but until now collegiate licensees have not been able to offer the jerseys on a national scale due to the complexity of manufacturing, licensing, sales, marketing and distribution," added Gansen. "Our partnership has positioned us to eliminate the barriers of entry to execute this program." About Valley Apparel: Valley Apparel is an exclusive licensee for adidas America. The company is responsible for nearly all of the development, sales and marketing for adidas adult-licensed apparel. This includes products licensed through the National Football League, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, US Olympics, Collegiate Licensing Company and various colleges and Universities. About adidas: adidas is a global designer, developer and marketer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories with the mission is to be the leading sports brand in the world. adidas America is a subsidiary of adidas-Salomon AG, a corporation that also includes sports brands, Salomon, TaylorMade, Bonfire and Mavic. About Earvin "Magic" Johnson: Mr. Johnson is the CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, which manages licensing agreements, personal appearances, endorsements and the Magic All Stars, (a team of former NBA and CBA players); Johnson Development Corporation which creates entertainment complexes, restaurants and retail centers in urban and suburban communities; Magic Johnson Entertainment, with television, movie, and publishing interests; and the Magic Johnson Foundation, which focuses on improving and addressing the health, educational and social needs of those residing in the inner-city. For more information, please visit our website at www.johnsondevelopmentcorp.com |
