PUMA® and United Legwear & Apparel Co. Form New Kids Apparel Joint Venture in North America

WESTFORD, Mass., Jan. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Global sport brand PUMA^® and United Legwear & Apparel Co. LLC (ULAC), today announced that they are entering into a joint venture in North America for the production, sales, marketing, and distribution of PUMA children's apparel from infant through boys' size 20 and girls' size 16.  The joint venture will be doing business as PUMA Kids Apparel NA, LLC; day-to-day operations will remain at ULAC's New York City offices, with guidance and cooperation of PUMA North America's creative, merchandising, sales, and marketing teams.

"We are thrilled to expand upon our relationship with United Legwear," said Jay Piccola, President of PUMA North America. "We have had amazing success over the years working with them on the socks and bodywear business and we are confident for the same growth in kids apparel."

Isaac E. Ash, founder, President and CEO of United Legwear & Apparel Co. emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership that has evolved over the last 13 years.

"This is an enormous step for United Legwear & Apparel Company in our ongoing partnership with PUMA," said Ash.  "We've successfully expanded the PUMA brand in socks, lounge wear, and underwear in both product assortment and in the number of retailers that carry PUMA.  The addition of children's apparel to United Legwear's current lines of PUMA products will allow a seamless integration in the design and development of apparel and legwear, and will offer retailers a more comprehensive buying experience and brand presence in their stores."

PUMA Kids Apparel NA's first collection will launch at retail with the Spring/Summer 2015 line. Product design is heavily integrated into PUMA's branding and culture, and ties back to the footwear and adult apparel lines as well as into PUMA's extensive global marketing plans. Many pieces are neon bright with splashes of black, white, or grey, made with comfort/performance fabrics and features, and cut in fashion-forward silhouettes. Combined, these elements create a sleek, powerful look that accurately reflects PUMA's new brand positioning: Forever Faster. 

Channels of distribution for PUMA Kids apparel include department stores, independent retailers, e-commerce channels, athletic and specialty chains.  

To learn more about PUMA follow the brand on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @PUMA and online at www.puma.com

UNITED LEGWEAR & APPAREL COMPANY is a dynamic, New York City based global entity that designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes legwear and apparel to some of the world's leading retailers. Founded in 1998 by Isaac E. Ash, United Legwear & Apparel Company (ULAC) maintains nine highly-recognized licensed brands across the legwear and apparel segments, with product ranges from infant and toddler through adults. Stratified distribution allows ULAC to leverage business across all retail channels for brand partners, and private label programs offer well-engineered, right-priced products. ULAC's mission is simple: to manufacture with integrity, and distribute legwear and apparel of highest quality and best value. Visit www.unitedlegwear.com for more information.

PUMA is one of the world's leading Sports Brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For over 65 years, PUMA has established a history of making fast product designs for the fastest athletes on the planet. PUMA offers performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running, Training and Fitness, Golf, and Motorsports. It engages in exciting collaborations with renowned design brands such as Alexander McQueen and Mihara Yasuhiro to bring innovative and fast designs to the sports world. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf, Tretorn, Dobotex and Brandon. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 10,000 people worldwide, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany. For more information, please visit http://www.puma.com

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/166976
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/166974LOGO
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/166950LOGO

SOURCE United Legwear & Apparel Co.

Related Links

http://www.unitedlegwear.com