SPORTS-FEB10-P06:SGBGolf_NEW_template 2/2/10 10:24 Page 6
News
Cash injection for UK Gear
BRITISH
H
igh performance shoe company UK Gear is planning to
expand its operation throughout the UK and into the
INNOVATION
United States, having secured £1.25 million investment from
venture capital firm Catapult. As part of the new set-up for
EYEWEAR
the Warwickshire-based firm, Mike Tomkins has been
appointed chairman.
UK Gear has supplied the British Armed Forces with its
training footwear since 2001, and this cash injection is
intended to enable the company to expand its sales force in
the UK and in the United States, with a view to developing
both the overseas military business and consumer retail
presence.
“We will certainly use the investment in UK Gear to
explore new markets,” says Tomkins, who is also non-
executive chairman of online sportswear retailer M and M
Direct. “We are now in a stronger position to extend the
brand’s reach world-wide.”
David Hinde, who founded UK Gear in 1993, remains
company chief executive, while Saucony’s former UK boss
Andrew Sainsbury has come in as non-executive financial
director. UK Gear has also boldly announced a seven-year
plan for “seven-fold” growth of its current £2 million sales.
“I firmly believe we have the full potential to become a
major force in providing performance athletic footwear to
The management: (l to r) Back: Steve Hubbard (creative
military forces across the world,” says Hinde. “I see this new
director); Mike Tomkins (chairman); Martin Blade
funding as underpinning our strategy and allowing UK Gear
(business development manager); Stephen Heaps
to take a giant step towards that ambition.”
(commercial director); Andrew Sainsbury (financial
UK Gear shoes were the first commercial products granted
director); Front: Ray Harris (Catapult investment director);
the right to bear the Armed Forces’ crossed-swords insignia,
David Hinde (chief executive)
and the company now also has approval to supply the United States Army. The range features shoes for running,
cross-training, hiking and off-road running, with particular emphasis on use in extreme conditions.
www.ukgear.com
Clear vision from Aqua Sphere
SUNWISE.
A
qua Sphere has launched a pair of swimming eyewear items specifically for women, the Kayenne Lady
goggles and Vista Lady mask. Both models are available for pre-order immediately, for retail delivery by the
end of February.
THE AWARD WINNING
“
Designed for the swimmer or triathlete, the products have evolved
BRITISH BRAND”
from Aqua Sphere’s existing Kayenne and Vista, but the
‘Lady’ models have been contoured to fit the narrower
features of the female face.
HIGH QUALITY,
The Kayenne Lady, with an RRP of £17.99, offers
LIGHTWEIGHT,
wide-angle 180° vision as well as a broad vertical
range. The Quick-Fit one-touch buckle is designed to
EFFECTIVE,
allow for easy adjustment and comes with clear or
STYLISH, SAFE,
tinted lenses. The Vista Lady mask offers wrap-
around vision at an RRP of £19.99.
PERFORMANCE
www.aquasphereswim.co.uk
EYEWEAR AT
AFFORDABLE PRICES
New fit from Yonex
FOR EVERYONE,
WHEREVER YOU PLAY.
Y
onex has launched a new range of tennis rackets for 2010, the S-FIT series. The company says the new
rackets make it particularly simple for players to “customise the playability” of each racket thanks to a
new Select Fit System, with a view to finding the optimum levels of speed and comfort for each individual.
Yonex has also signed up British number-one women’s player Elena Baltacha to its advisory staff. Baltacha
played with Yonex rackets at the recent Australian Open, and both her and fellow Yonex player Lleyton Hewitt
sported the new Yonex Melbourne Range at the year’s first grand slam tournament.
www.yonex.com
www.sunwise.co.uk
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