MPH.L Regulatory News (MPH)

5 Jul 2007 07:46

Marchpole Holdings PLC05 July 2007 MARCHPOLE HOLDINGS PLC ("Marchpole", "the Company" or "the Group") New Distribution Contract For Subsidiary Jean Charles de Castelbajac Marchpole Holdings plc, (LSE: MPH), the fast growing fashion brand managementgroup, is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary Jean Charles deCastelbajac ("JCC") has signed a new distribution agreement with Coronet, amember of the Itochu Group. The Itochu Group is one of Japan's largest tradingcorporations, with Coronet distributing over 12 clothing brands including luxurylabel, Roberto Cavalli. The contract is intially for two seasons, beginning with the 2008 Spring/Summercollection, with a view to extending the relationship for a further five years.Marchpole is entering into its second agreement with the Itochu Group. In 1997 JCC received recognition as a high profile and worldwide designerthrough his design and distribution partnership with Itochu in Japan and SouthKorea. The Castelbajac brands for menswear and womenswear have since developed aloyal following in these markets. Marchpole Holdings Executive Deputy Chairman, Michael Morris said, "Thisagreement represents a further stage in the development of the Castelbajac brandin Japan, where its popularity is already well established. Existing licensingagreements with Itochu generate retail sales for Castelbajac in excess of USD 75million a year and are continuing to increase. Since the acquisition of theCastelbajac brand by Marchpole in 2004, both sales and licensing income haveshown extremely encouraging growth and we confidently expect this to continue". The Itochu Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Eizo Kobayashi said, "Weare delighted to be entering into another agreement with Jean Charles deCastelbajac to continue with the success of the Castelbajac collection in Japanand South Korea. The JCC range is already a highly sought after brand and welook forward to another long and successful relationship with Jean Charles." - ends - For further information, please contact: Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial 020 7861 3232David Rydell/Emma Kent/Amy Rajendran Marchpole Holdings plc 020 7908 7700Michael Morris, Executive Deputy ChairmanJohn Harrison, Finance Director Note to Editors: - Marchpole Holdings plc ("Marchpole") is an international brand management group that designs, produces and sells clothing and accessories for ten globally recognised fashion labels. It operates in all of the world's main markets - UK, mainland Europe, Middle East, Asia and the USA - Its respected brands include Boateng, Emmanuel Ungaro, Ungaro Homme, Jean Charles de Castelbajac ("JCC"), Jean Charles de Castelbajac / Rossignol, Jean Charles de Castelbajac/Okaidi, Jean Charles de Castelbajac / New Era, Jean Charles de Castelbajac/Lee Cooper and Homebody and Homemummy - 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 four years, from a licensee with one core license (YSL menswear) - to today's international business that manages its brands across a multitude of clothing lines and accessories - Marchpole's acquisition (March 2006) of Moda America - the US licensee for leading designer Emanuel Ungaro - provided further growth opportunities in the UK and America and strengthened the Company's relationship with Ungaro - The acquisition also enabled the Company to launch the Ungaro brand, already established by Marchpole in Europe and Asia, into the US, Canada and South America. The acquisition has also enabled the Company to re-launch JCC into America. - In March 2007 Marchpole acquired 100% of Greenmark Limited, an importer and wholesaler of ladies shoes who currently supply in excess of 2.5 million pairs of shoes per annum. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange