Toray Ultrasuede (America), Inc. Partners with PONY International LLC to Launch New Line of Lifestyle Footwear

NEW YORK—May 9, 2007

Toray Ultrasuede (America), Inc. (TUA) today announced that it will partner with PONY International LLC to debut two innovative shoe styles designed to answer the call for fashion and function in the performance footwear market. Renowned for defining American style in the 70s, the two iconic brands will join together to offer a modern twist on PONY's authentic sports heritage. The new line will combine each brand's assets to deliver stylish athletic footwear that boasts the high performance benefits guaranteed by the Ultrasuede® certification mark.

Due in mid-June, the first two "Punk" models will hit stores in time for the Back To School market. Skate-inspired shades of black, dark charcoal and red add edge to the men's version, while a combination of chocolate and pink with gold accents infuses the women's model with city-savvy attitude. Meticulously designed for the trend-conscious consumer who refuses to compromise on performance, the line will leverage the PONY spirit of style and the Ultrasuede commitment to durability.

PONY Public Relations Director Colin Brickley confirmed, "We tested Ultrasuede® and it performed far higher than actual suede in terms of abrasion-resistance. This is ideal for PONY, and will meet the needs of our discerning consumers, who live active lifestyles and demand stylish footwear every step of the way."

The partnership with PONY is one of many initiatives Ultrasuede is pursuing to revitalize the brand. Says Fashion Manager Robert Steir, "More than 30 years ago, Ultrasuede made its name with leading brands in American luxury apparel. Today, as luxury products increasingly attract a more active, youthful consumer, Ultrasuede is poised to recapture its status as one of the industry's essential brands." A recent debut at MAGIC positioned Ultrasuede to break into the fashion industry's urban streetwear niche, a sector well-aligned with the PONY consumer. Active, hip, and global-minded, such influencers demand the unparalleled performance benefits that Ultrasuede® is dedicated to providing.

Founded in 1972, PONY has a history of appealing to consumers in search of both performance and casual sport products. The company's lifestyle legacy and street roots have poised the brand to capitalize on its athletic tradition and dominate the international arena of modern sports.

Similarly, the expansion of Ultrasuede® into the footwear market represents a key facet of an ambitious new strategy to raise awareness of the fabric's remarkable diversity. A growing number of suppliers are requesting Ultrasuede® as a component to add value to their product, and capitalizing on the company's brand recognition. Executive Director Des McLaughlin notes, "Ultrasuede® is a complete luxury lifestyle brand that consumers experience 24 hours a day, from the clothes they wear to the transportation they take to the furniture they sit on."

About PONY International LLC.
PONY was founded in 1972 and quickly became one the most distinctive sports brands in the world. Among the many athletes who wore PONY shoes were Pele, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, David Thompson, Darryl Dawkins, Spud Webb, Dan Marino, Lawrence Taylor, Reggie Jackson, and Tracy Austin. PONY is a designer, distributor, and marketer of high performance and casual athletic footwear and apparel for men, women, and children. Additional information about PONY International LLC is available at www.PONY.com.