First Orders From New Lion Apparel Logistics Center Support U.S. First Responders In Middle East

Dayton, Ohio-based Lion Apparel opened its new 200,000 square foot Hazel Green Distribution Center (HGDC) today. The official grand opening, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, is scheduled later this month.

"Our customers expect high service levels from Lion Apparel and we're proud to deliver it through this new facility," says John Granby, Lion VP Domestic Preparedness and Government Markets. "Our first orders will serve America's first responders - both here and overseas." Among HGDC's outbound shipments today are cartons of fire fighter coats and pants (turnout gear), helmets and boots to support the U.S. military fire fighting assets in the Middle East.

"Lion Apparel is the world's largest maker and provider of fire fighter and first responder protective clothing," says Steve Allison, senior vice president, Lion Protective Systems Group. "The Hazel Green facility is a good fit for Lion Apparel and its future growth." Lion Apparel's Protective Systems Group manufactures and markets fire fighter and first responder protective turnout gear, helmets, footwear, station uniforms and EMS clothing. The company's Government Logistics Group (LG2) specializes in providing Lion TotalCare(R) service for government and civilian agencies such as the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Corps of Engineers, The U.S. Forest Service and numerous state and local natural resources agencies. At Hazel Green, LG2 will also begin providing third-party logistics services for product suppliers to these markets.

The move from its previous location in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky was part of the terms of Lion's sale of its Uniform Group Division in November of 2004. Strategically located between Lion Apparel's two turnout gear factories in Kentucky, Lion leased the Hazel Green building and rapidly converted it to a logistics center in about four months. "State-of-the-art equipment and information technology installation was completed concurrently, as was the hiring and training process," says Ron Shy, Lion HGDC director of operations. "But our most challenging work came with executing the largest move in Lion Apparel history while minimizing service disruptions to our customers and we were successful. This result is another example of Lion's high performance teamwork that is at the heart of our core beliefs as a company."

About Lion Apparel

Lion Apparel Inc. is a 107-year-old, privately held global company based in Dayton Ohio. Through offices in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Australia, Lion serves the uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE) and logistics requirements of police and fire departments, civilian government agencies, emergency services, and military organizations around the world. Each day, Lion fulfills the personal safety, readiness and identity needs of its customers around the world.

     
   Vice President, Marketing Services
   Lion Apparel
   Dayton,    OH,    45414
   USA
   937-415-2926 (phone)