M.J. Soffe Co. Signs Licensing Agreement with Vital Apparel
DULUTH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2006--Delta Apparel, Inc. (AMEX: DLA) today reported that its wholly-owned subsidiary, M.J. Soffe Co., has signed a licensing agreement with Vital Apparel to produce a line of sports-themed and fashion coordinated accessories for young junior girls under the Soffe brand.
The collection, which will launch for Spring 2007 delivery, will feature flip flops, scrunchies, socks, cinch sacks, hair bands and ties. The accessories will be color coordinated to tie-in with Soffe's popular line of cheerleader shorts, which is available in 36 colors.
"This is a great way to enhance our brand and gets us into the accessory business with one of the top providers in the marketplace," said Jim Soffe, Chief Executive Officer of M.J. Soffe. Vital owns ProMarx, a leading accessory vendor which has produced girl's sports accessories since 1997.
"Accessories are a growing and profitable category at retail and Soffe is a great brand for the junior girl. She is already coming into the store to buy her Soffes and now we can accessorize her once she's in the door," said Kerry Kligerman, President of Vital.
At retail the Soffe accessories with be merchandised on the same fixtures as the shorts and other apparel, creating easy access for the consumer and providing a multiple-item buy opportunity for the retailer. Vital's sales force will sell the line into sporting goods and sports specialty stores, while the Soffe sales force will handle sales for department stores.
M.J. Soffe is a 60-year old manufacturer of activewear based in Fayetteville, N.C. The company was purchased in 2003 by publicly traded Delta Apparel, Inc.
Vital Inc. is a privately held activewear company based in Huntington Station, N.Y. In 2005, Vital purchased ProMarx accessories and earlier this year completed the acquisition of In Sport, a performance running and triathlon brand.
CONTACT: M.J. Soffe Co.
Jim Soffe, Chief Executive Officer, 910-483-2500
SOURCE: Delta Apparel, Inc.
Released May 2, 2006