Industry News
Body Glove announces launch of custom-fitted case/MP3Suit for the new Apple iPod nano.
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 December, 2005 : - - Body Glove today announced the launch of a custom-fitted case, or MP3Suit, for the new Apple iPod nano. The cases, available January 2006, feature Body Glove's signature Scuba material in black with a silver trim and the Body Glove logo. The water-resistant material protects the iPod nano from nicks and scratches and features custom cut-outs for instant access to ports, buttons and the iPod-famous click wheel. Users can also dock the iPod nano while it is in the case. The Apple iPod nano Scuba cases are available for the 2 GB and 4 GB models. The case comes with a belt and armband attachment, and will be available at bodyglove.com for a suggested retail price of $29.99.
Billabong opens store in Chamonix, France,
Billabong has officially opened a store in Chamonix, France, on December 3. Billabong partnered with one of the region's largest, most established retailers, Jean-Francois Coquoz. It stocks the full range of Billabong clothing and VZ eyewear and Kustom footwear. After the success of his Billabong store in Les Deux Alpes, Billabong team rider Yannick Amevet is opening a new Billabong partner store in Annecy in April.
Salomon Launches Turnaround Program
Salomon, the newly-acquired winter and outdoor sports division of Amer Sports, has launched a 3-year turn-around program to ensure its future competitiveness.
The turn-around program includes a reorganization of Salomon operations and cancellation of up to 400 positions mainly in France. Other important measures include a reallocation of the production of Salomon skis and Atomic ski boots to ensure the optimization of Group benefits. Amer Sports expects to realize annual cost-savings in excess of EUR 40 million by the end of 2008.
The cost of the Salomon reorganization, resulting from the staff reductions, integration and other measures, is estimated at approximately EUR 50 million. The cost will be provided for in the Amer Sports 2005 financial statements. The reorganization of Salomon, however, is not expected to have a significant effect
on Amer Sports' earnings per share in the current fiscal year due to Salomon's fourth-quarter results and IFRS-related Salomon balance sheet valuation adjustments. Amer Sports' earnings per share are estimated to amount to EUR 0.90-1.00 as previously announced.
Salomon will work in close collaboration together with the workers'
representatives in order to find the best possible solutions for the employees via job revitalization and other measures. This social plan is expected to be ready by the end of April 2006.
"These measures are absolutely necessary in order to ensure our competitiveness and build a base for future growth. We will do our utmost to help the people departing our company to find new jobs," says Jean-Luc Diard, president of Salomon.
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