Aussie Apparel Group Ltd. announced that it has engaged NRI Distribution Inc. of Kamloops, British Columbia to handle the distribution of Aussie Apparel’s Hot Tuna and Xisle brands in Canada.
According to the agreement, NRI will handle all incoming shipments into Canada. NRI will also break down and inventory the apparel product as well as handle all picking and packing of outgoing orders to all retailers in Canada. All Hot Tuna and Xisle customer service work for Canada, including order entry and credit/collections, will be handled by Aussie Apparel from Los Angeles.
Stewart Kawamura, National Sales Manager of Aussie Apparel, said, “We are pleased to announce the emergence of Aussie Apparel’s presence in Canada. Just as Southern California is trend-setting territory for extreme sports in the US, the greater Vancouver area represents a similar situation in Canada. We expect the services of NRI Distribution, together with our expanding sales force in the region, to significantly enhance Aussie Apparel’s presence and sales in Canada.” The Company is presently forecasting US$15 million in revenue from the Hot Tuna and Xisle brands in Canada over the next five years.
Aussie Apparel also announced that it has hired two new sales representatives in Western Canada to cover the Company’s Hot Tuna brand. Daryl Ryan, an action sports industry veteran of 12-years, will direct sales for the British Columbia region and Jason Flynn of Calgary, Alberta, a 14-year veteran of the snow, skate and surf industry, will cover the Calgary market. The Company expects to announce additional sales representatives for the Toronto and Montreal markets shortly.
The Company recently announced an agreement with Frontier International Holdings (FIH) of Australia, as its first exclusive licensee covering Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia and the Pacific Islands.
