Kamik®, the Montréal based company known for their outdoor footwear, in conjunction with Richter International the new licensee for Kamik Family Hosiery, will launch a new line of performance socks at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, January 21-24, 2010. The new line of performance socks features a proprietary blend of ADVANSA Thermo°Cool™ thermoregulation fiber and Extra Fine Merino wool available in North America exclusively from Richter Yarns and Stoehr, one of the largest spinners of wool yarn in the world.

The new sock line will be the first to bear the Kamik® brand name. “We’re always looking for ways to enhance our current offering and, not surprisingly, the idea of socks has long been something we’ve considered, but we wanted to do it right,” explained Richard Cook, President of Kamik. “We’re confident that this new sock line will continue the tradition Kamik started over 100 years ago of providing high quality, functional merchandise at affordable prices.”

Kamik selected Richter’s special ADVANSA Thermo°Cool™ and Extra Fine Merino wool blend to create high performance socks that provide the broad range of benefits that outdoor enthusiasts require. Without chemical treatments, ADVANSA Thermo°Cool™ provides enhanced thermal comfort coupled with moisture management during physical exertion. ADVANSA Thermo°Cool™ is made of fibers with a hollow core blended with fibers that have a channeled surface providing benefits that can’t be achieved with just one fiber in a single yarn. When Richter combines ADVANSA Thermo°Cool™ with Extra Fine Merino wool’s natural moisture wicking and odor control characteristics, the result is an incomparable fabric designed with comfort and performance in mind.

“We are very pleased that Kamik chose ADVANSA Thermo°Cool™ for these exceptional performance socks,” said Elke Lamberts-Steffes of ADVANSA. “Kamik and Richter have done an outstanding job of designing a product that will truly enhance consumers’ outdoor experiences.”

The Kamik sock line will include styles for hiking, skiing, and outdoor sports in styles and sizes for men, women, and children. Kamik and Richter will partner during the initial launch to secure retail accounts and anticipate a positive reception from current and new Kamik customers. Kamik prides itself on providing footwear that allows the wearer to enjoy nature, regardless of weather or terrain conditions. Using the same dedicated resources in children’s and adult boots, and now socks with ADVANSA Thermo°Cool™, Kamik takes feet to the next level.

Both Kamik and ADVANSA will be participating in OR Winter Market next week, Kamik will be displaying in booths 29027E and 29034E.  ADVANSA will be located in booth 36184. For appointments, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or +49 23818 785310.

About ADVANSA
Headquartered in the Netherlands and operating in Europe, the Middle East and Africa , ADVANSA– owned 100% by the Haci Ömer Sabanci Holding A.S. - is the largest manufacturer of polyester fibre and filament as well as a leading producer of polyester-based polymers, specialties and intermediates in the region. ADVANSA has annual revenues in excess of $500 million USD. The company employs 2,000 people and operates plants in Turkey and Germany , an R&D facility in Turkey , and has sales offices in Turkey , Germany , Spain , Italy , France , Shanghai , Hong Kong, and in the US .

www.advansa.com

Sabanci Holding is one of Turkey 's largest industrial groups. Employing over 52,000 people in 70 companies, it has interests in chemicals and fibres, as well as banking and insurance, food, retail, textiles, energy, cement, automotive, tyres and tyre reinforcement materials, telecommunications, paper and packaging materials. The companies operate in a dozen foreign countries and export products world-wide. Sabanci Holding, which has controlling interests in 12 companies, is listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange and has an aggressive strategy of growth through acquisitions and expansion of existing businesses.

ADVANSA ThermoºCool™ is the ultimate high performance material for moisture management, which thanks to its unique fiber mix, provides adaptive smart dual function: Evaporative cooling and thermo buffering. Entirely developed by ADVANSA, The product is also available in versions ECO with a polymer from renewable sources and FRESH, with silver ions imbedded in the polymer.

ADVANSA ThermoºCool™ garments are the best year around performance clothing option.

www.thermocool.net

Source: Company release, Greensboro, NC, January 14, 2010