MPH.L Regulatory News (MPH)

21 Aug 2006 07:01

Marchpole Holdings PLC21 August 2006 Marchpole Holdings plc ("Marchpole") Major distribution agreement for Emanuel Ungaro brand into UAE Marchpole Holdings plc, the fast growing fashion brand management group, ispleased to announce it has today signed a distribution agreement with Dubaibased BTC Group International, for the Emanuel Ungaro brand to be sold in theUnited Arab Emirates. The contract is initially for 5 years, beginning with the 2007 Spring/Summercollection, with an opportunity to extend the agreement. Under the terms of thecontract, BTC will open between three and five exclusive stores within the fiveyear term. The contract is safeguarded with minimum guarantees. BTC is one of the leading wholesalers and retailers for prestigious high fashionbrands in the UAE. Founded in 1998 in Dubai, the Company offers exclusivity fora number of world wide fashion labels including Karl Lagerfeld. Following Marchpole's acquisition in March 2006 of Moda America, the US licenseefor Emanuel Ungaro, which has brought further growth opportunities in the USA,the Company owns the worldwide licence for Emanuel Ungaro. The Emanuel Ungarobrand is already established in Europe and Asia and today's distributionagreement opens up opportunities to benefit from the lucrative Gulf marketplace. Marchpole's Executive Deputy Chairman, Michael Morris, commented: "This agreement is a major breakthrough into the fast growing Gulf marketplaceand one which confirms the significant growth potential of the Ungaro brand. Itis yet further progress towards our strategy to become a global fashion brandmanagement group." - ends - For further information, please contact : Emma KentBell Pottinger Corporate & Financial 020 7861 3232 John Harrison, Finance DirectorMarchpole 020 7908 7777 Note to Editors : • Marchpole Holdings plc ("Marchpole") is an international brand management group that designs, produces and sells clothing and accessories for eight globally recognised fashion labels. It operates in all of the world's main markets - UK, mainland Europe, Asia and the USA • Its respected brands include YSL, Boateng, Emmanuel Ungaro, Ungaro, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac ("JCC"), Jean-Charles de Castelbajac / Rossignol, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac/Okaidi and Homebody • Marchpole is renowned for its integrated approach to brand management, taking a brand from concept to design studio to the customer interface. It is not a clothing manufacturer • The Group has grown considerably in the past 3 years, from a licensee with one core licence (YSL menswear) - to today's international business that manages its brands across a multitude of clothing lines and accessories • Marchpole's recent acquisition (March 2006) of Moda America - the US licensee for leading designer Emanuel Ungaro - brings further growth opportunities in the UK and America and strengthens the company's relationship with Ungaro • The acquisition also allows the company to launch the Ungaro brand, already established by Marchpole in Europe and Asia, into the US, Canada and South America. The acquisition also allows the company to re-launch JCC into America with effect from autumn/winter 2006 • Marchpole will launch the diffusion Ungaro Homme collection in the UK from Spring/Summer 2007 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange