Thule to Sell & Distribute Direct To Canadian Dealers From Spring 2007

After over 25 years of working exclusively with Canadian distributor Sport Dinaco, Thule, the world leader in Sport Utility Transportation, will assume all distribution and sales of Thule products in Canada starting in the spring of 2007.

After over 25 years of working exclusively with Canadian distributor Sport Dinaco, Thule, the world leader in Sport Utility Transportation, will assume all distribution and sales of Thule products in Canada starting in the spring of 2007. The change is a result of Thule's recent acquisition of SportRack, which included warehouse and distribution facilities and staff in Granby, QC, Canada. Thule will introduce its Canadian dealer direct sales program at the National Snow Industries Association (NSIA) Snow Show February 11-13 in Montreal, QC, Canada, and will begin distributing Thule products from its Granby facility on April 1, 2007.

“We have had a long and prosperous relationship with Sport Dinaco, but with the distribution facility, sales team, and customer service staff we gained with the SportRack acquisition, we have all the assets in place to serve the Canadian market ourselves,” said Fred Clark, President of Thule Inc. “Larry and the Sport Dinaco team have done a tremendous job representing Thule in Canada, and we appreciate all of their hard work over the years and through this transition period.”

“We are proud of the role Sport Dinaco has played in making Thule the market leader in Canada, and I wish to personally thank our loyal dealer base for their partnership in this success story” said Larry Nardone, President of Sport Dinaco. “Thule is one of the few brands in our industry that has maintained its number one position so consistently over so many years and we offer Thule our best wishes for continued success.”

Sport Dinaco will continue to exclusively supply Thule products to Canadian retailers until March 31, 2007. However, at the NSIA Snow Show in February, Canadian dealers will have the opportunity to pre-book Fall 2007 orders with Thule's Canadian sales representatives.

Beginning April 1, 2007 Thule will assume all sales, distribution, and service responsibilities for the Thule brand in Canada. Taking over sales responsibilities in Canada will be SportRack's current sales team, led by sales veterans Andre Clement, Director of Sales & Service, and Martin Cardinal, National Sales Manager.

Additionally, SportRack's current warehouse, distribution, and customer service staff based in Granby, QC, will support the Thule and SportRack brands.