- Acquisition Helps New Era Expand Beyond Headwear -

BUFFALO, N.Y. and MIAMI, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- New Era Cap Co., Inc., the global headwear and apparel designer, announced today that it has acquired 5(th) & Ocean, a privately held apparel manufacturer in Miami, Florida.

The acquisition will help New Era rapidly expand its line of sports and fashion apparel by tapping into 5(th) & Ocean's expertise and existing market relationships. Currently, 5(th) & Ocean manufactures men's, women's, and kids apparel for major U.S. sports leagues including Major League Baseball as well as notable properties including Victoria's Secret/PINK and Dallas Cowboys Merchandising.

"To ensure the long-term growth of New Era in this changing economic landscape, we need to look for strategic ways to diversify our business," said Christopher H. Koch, CEO of New Era Cap. "The acquisition of 5(th) & Ocean continues to move us forward with our strategy to become a well-rounded lifestyle brand. This was an opportunity we simply could not pass up."

Best known as the official on-field cap for Major League Baseball, New Era entered the apparel arena in 2007 and has gained greater traction in the market place each year. Recently, in an effort to expand its college business, New Era launched a full collection of apparel and headwear that supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities called "New Era presents Tradition." Working with 5(th) & Ocean will not only complement these efforts, but New Era's core headwear business as well.

"We are very excited to become part of a company with an 89-year history of quality, tradition and authenticity," said Alex Leiter, CEO of 5(th) & Ocean. "The resources and knowledge that New Era brings assures that 5(th) & Ocean will continue to be the fashion leader in licensed apparel and will continue to provide superior speed-to-market."

New Era and 5(th) & Ocean will have a large presence at the MAGIC trade show at the end of August, offering a collection of tees, polos and cut & sew pieces for team concessioners and urban fashion doors. Product is expected to reach the market by the end of this year with a broader launch in Spring 2010.

About New Era Cap

Founded in 1920, New Era Cap Company, Inc., the leading headwear manufacturer and creator of New Era Apparel, brings to market products that transcend time, culture, sport and fashion. Producing more than 35 million caps per year, New Era is the exclusive manufacturer and marketer of the official on-field cap worn by every Major League Baseball team and their Minor League affiliates and maintaining agreements with other licensed entities. On the street, New Era is known as the Originator of the True Fitted for its signature cap style, the 59FIFTY. The Company is headquartered in Buffalo, New York and operates facilities in Alabama, Canada, Europe, Japan and Hong Kong. New Era Cap is a Participating Company (PC) of the Fair Labor Association. Visit http://www.neweracap.com for more information.

About 5(th) & Ocean

Founded in 1995, 5(th) & Ocean Clothing is a privately owned, minority certified apparel manufacturer and wholesaler specializing in fashion apparel for the licensed team sports and private label markets. 5th's customer base spans the gamut of distribution channels including department stores, sporting goods chains, mass merchants, and sports specialty stores, just to name a few. 5th continuously sets the trend for silhouettes, fabrications, and embellishments. In addition, a flexible manufacturing model allows the Company to deliver product from concept to the retailer's door with unparalleled speed, a critical component in the rapidly changing fashion market. To learn more about 5(th) & Ocean, visit http://www.5thocean.com/

    PRESS CONTACT:
    Dana Marciniak, New Era Cap Co.
    (716) 604.9259 or (716) 536.9913
    dana.marciniak@neweracap.com

SOURCE New Era Cap Co., Inc.

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