Mitsui to Help Full90 Sports Expand Globally
San Diego, CA -- Full90 Sports, a maker of head protection for soccer players, today announced that it has entered into a comprehensive agreement with Japan-based Mitsui & Company, a $29b entity with over 170 offices worldwide.
Mitsui & Company made a strategic investment in Full90 Sports. Mitsui will also serve as a manufacturer and exclusive master distributor for Asia, including China, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
“We have tracked Full90’s progress for almost two years, and are very pleased to utilize our global resources to expand Full90’s market potential worldwide” said, Haruo Iwasaki, General Manager of Investment Business for the Lifestyle Business Unit, Mitsui & Co. A New FIFA funded study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that Full90 Sports flagship product, the F90 Performance Headguard™ significantly reduced impact forces and the probability of concussion in certain instances, such as head to head impacts. There are approximately 200 million soccer players worldwide and 10 million in the US.
“We are pleased to enter this partnership with Mitsui & Company. It allows Full90 to dramatically increase our presence around the world,” said Jeff Skeen, CEO of Full90 Sports. “With the 2002 introduction of head protection in soccer, Full90 Sports has been widely seen as pioneering the use of soft padded head protection. We’re happy that Mitsui is a believer in soccer headgear.”
The use of head protection is now becoming widely accepted as numerous medical studies indicate that concussions are just as prevalent as in other contact sports such as American football and hockey. Head protection is now being promoted by seven state youth soccer associations and mandated by numerous youth soccer clubs in the US. Eight players representing four countries wore Full90 Headguards in the Summer 2004 Olympics and many professional players around the world are wearing head protection.
About Mitsui & Co., LTD
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries engage in general trading business. It involves in a range of global business activities, including worldwide trading of various commodities; arranging financing for customers and suppliers in connection with its trading activities; organizing and coordinating industrial projects; participating in financing and investing arrangements; assisting in the procurement of raw materials and equipment; providing technologies and processes for manufacturing; and coordinating transportation and marketing of finished goods. The company’s trading activities include the sale, distribution, purchase, marketing, and supply of various products, including iron and steel, nonferrous metals, machinery, electronics, chemicals, energy-related commodity and products, food products, textiles, general merchandise, and real estate. Further, it develops natural resources, such as oil and gas, and iron and steel raw materials. In addition, the company invests in areas, such as information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, as well as provides financial services to minimize its customers’ business risks, through the use of derivatives and other hedging instruments. As of July 1, 2005, Mitsui had 20 branches and offices located in Japan; and 155 branches, offices, and trading subsidiaries located worldwide. The company offers its products and services in retailing, information and communications, technical support, transportation and logistics, and financing areas. The company was established in 1947 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Mitsui & Company’s Lifestyle Unit will be managing the business relationship with Full90 Sports.
About Full90 Sports, Inc.
Full90 Sports, Inc. develops state-of-the-art protective soccer equipment specifically designed to allow athletes of all ages to perform at their full capacity. Full90 Sports pioneered a new product category with their flagship product, the F90 Performance Headguard™. The headguards provide players a heightened level of protection by significantly reducing the impact force associated with hard surface contact, without affecting style of play or "ball feel". Full90 headguards are designed using Performance Protection Technology™, a development process which combines applied physics, engineering and design with a deep appreciation for the heart and soul of an athlete, as well as an absolute respect for the game they play. More information is available at www.full90.com.
Press Contact
Honey Mae P. Kenworthy
858.777.6538
hkenworthy@full90.com
Full90 Sports and the Full90 logo are trademarks of Full90 Sports, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarked by their respective owners.
