GLENMUIR BECOMES EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTOR

FOR SUNDERLAND BRAND

NEWS RELEASE
Glenmuir, one of Europe’s leading golf apparel brands, has announced an historic agreement with Sunderland of Scotland to become the official European distributor for the world-class Sunderland product range of waterproofs and windproofs.
Effective from January 1, 2010, the convergence of these two Scottish-based golf clothing legends into Glenmuir’s Lanark headquarters will further establish both brands at the forefront of the European golf industry supply chain.
Glenmuir has achieved significant growth over recent years and adding the European-wide Sunderland distribution to its business provides the opportunity for immediate growth and improved utilisation of its Lanark administration, warehousing and distribution facilities.
Administration of Sunderland business will be absorbed within Glenmuir’s Lanark facility from January 1 and it is anticipated that product fulfilment will be fully moved to Lanark by early 2010.
Brian Mair, currently Sunderland Sales and Marketing Director, will be joining Glenmuir as Marketing Director and will oversee the absorption of the Sunderland activities and assume responsibility for marketing both brands.
Further Glenmuir reorganisation sees Ann Turner appointed Product Development and Buying Manager. Ann will join the existing senior management team of Graham Hayward, Sales Director, Colin Mackay, Commercial Director and Fiona Barclay, Financial Controller. Announcing the significant news, Colin Mee, who continues as Glenmuir Managing Director, said: “This is an historic day in the golf industry and brings together two of the most-respected golf apparel brands in Europe. I have personally assured Warren Sunderland, the Sunderland of Scotland Chairman, that his brand is in safe hands and that the benefits we can achieve longer term in product and market development are many - and to the benefit of both brands.
“The addition of the Sunderland distribution provides Glenmuir with a great opportunity to drive our warehouse and distribution facility to maximum efficiency and will provide additional long term security for our Lanark workforce.
“I look forward to the association with Sunderland with great excitement. I have long been an admirer of the Sunderland product and its brand values, which mirror closely those of Glenmuir and its proud Scottish heritage.”
Following its management buy-out from Harris Watson, the Sunderland Board has re-established their leading waterproof brand position within the Great Britain and Ireland markets.
The alliance with Glenmuir will provide the platform for further aggressive growth within the European market for Sunderland, which has repeatedly enjoyed the largest market-share in the golf waterproofs category in the UK.