(SEATTLE, WA) August 14, 2006 – Cutter & Buck (NASDAQ CBUK), has gone nuts over tech, literally. Pioneering a new frontier in golf apparel, the company is proud to be the first golf apparel brand to offer Cocona Natural Technology, an advanced hybrid-carbon technology that works by permanently embedding activated carbon derived from coconut shells into fiber and yarns to deliver one of the most effective moisture management systems available with added benefits of unsurpassed cooling and drying, odor control and UPF protection. The Cocona fabric technology represents an important enhancement to the Cutter & Buck line of performance products , CB ProTecâ?¢.
Derived from the coconut shell, Cocona was first introduced in the outdoor industry in 2005 and fast earned a reputation as the most effective moisture and odor management fabric available in the marketplace and was named one of Time magazine’s top five innovations for 2005. Cutter & Buck will offer Cocona exclusively for Spring 2007 in key CB DryTecâ?¢ styles in their Men’s and Women’s golf collections including the Annika line and Cutter & Buck’s new sub-brand geared toward the next generation of male golfers, CBUK.
"We’re very proud to be the first brand to bring the Cocona technology to premium golf apparel," said Julie Snow, vice president of design and merchandising for Cutter & Buck. "Our Spring 2007 collection delivers unprecedented style, quality, and now the industry-exclusive for Spring 2007 with a technology that we believe to be the most exciting offering currently in the marketplace."
"When you look at leading golf apparel brands dedicated to quality, design, heritage and innovation in the marketplace today, one name is synonymous – Cutter & Buck," said John Mitchell, senior vice president of apparel for Cocona Natural Technology. "It only made sense for us to partner exclusively with the gold standard in golf apparel brands to introduce Coconaâ?¢ technology to the golf apparel market. Together, we will undoubtedly change the industry paradigm in technical innovation for the long haul."
Both avid and recreational golfers alike recognize that when the clothing against their skin is dry, they have greater comfort – they keep warmer when it’s cool and cooler when it’s hot because the body’s natural cooling mechanisms are more effective regardless of the elements. Cocona technology works by dispersing moisture (body sweat) across an enormous surface area created by the activated carbon particles, initiating a rapid evaporative cooling effect similar to wiping a wet cloth across a blackboard. The surface area created by the carbon particles is so great, that a men’s CB DryTec shirt (size Large) has the same surface area as a football field!
In addition to delivering unprecedented cooling and dryness, CB ProTecâ?¢ garments featuring Cocona also blocks odor thanks to the carbon pore structures, keeping the wearer feeling fresh in a lightweight fabrication. Unlike anti-microbial treatments, odor molecules are naturally adsorbed and negated by the carbon particles. Finally, an astounding 98 percent of harmful UV rays are blocked by the Cocona technology, equating to an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+, the highest rating possible.
CB DryTecâ?¢ apparel featuring Cocona technology will not lose performance over the life of the garment since the activated carbon technology is embedded into the fiber. In fact, conventional laundering and drying reactivates the technology and releases trapped odors to completely refresh the garment. The wearer can feel safe knowing that activated carbon is a completely natural technology, commonly used to purify drinking water. Furthermore, Cocona is considered a "green" technology, as it is a natural renewable resource, and the readily available coconut shells used in Cocona are a byproduct of the coconut industry. While other performance fabrics are the result of chemical additives and treatments, Cocona is a natural and safe solution that is both scientifically sound and responsible.
Recommended retail prices for CB DryTecâ?¢ featuring Cocona range from $44.00 -$72.00 in the men’s collection, from $42.00 – $69.00 in the ladies’ collection, and from $46.00 – $72.00 in CBUK. Each garment featuring Cocona technology is characterized by a sporty, pieced look and active silhouette – hinting at the incredible performance and physical comfort the garment delivers.
About Cutter & Buck:
The company designs and markets upscale sportswear and outerwear under the Cutter & Buck brand. All Cutter & Buck products feature distinctive, comfortable designs, high quality materials and rich detailing The company sells its products through golf pro shops and resorts, specialty retail shops, direct-to-consumer catalog, corporate sales and online at cutterbuck.com.
Contact:
Turner Public Relations, Inc.
New York: (212) 889-1700
Jeizel Pickett
Jeizel@turnerpr.com
Mariana Singer
mariana@turnerpr.com
