YAKIMA ROUNDS OUT BIKE CATEGORY WITH NEW DIRECT TO FACTORY FORK MOUNTED CARRIER AND NEW TRUNK RACK

ForkLift™ and QuickBack™ Ease Installation, Increasing Rack Options for Consumers

BEAVERTON, Ore. (July 15, 2008) - Building upon the success of its re-designed bike hitch line introduced last year, Yakima, an innovator in vehicle racks for boats, bikes, camping, winter sports gear, and cargo boxes, will introduce two new bike mounts for spring '09, including the ForkLift, its first fork mount product that fits directly to factory racks featuring tool-free installation for the widest range of vehicles. The second rack, QuickBack, a trunk style bike carrier uses Yakima's new ArchBack™ technology, a unique sliding arch base system enabling consumers to quickly and easily adjust the rack to fit the widest variety of vehicles. Both products will be unveiled at Interbike, September 24-26 in Las Vegas, booth #3935, and will be available at retail beginning early 2009.

"Cycling consumers of all levels will quickly recognize the advantages of these new bike mounts, making a fast escape to the road and trail sweet and easy," said David Fee, senior director of market and product development for Yakima. "These are best-in-class for function, style and performance."

ForkLift™
Ideal for road and cross country mountain bikers, the ForkLift directly installs, tool-free, to round, square or factory crossbars out of the box, for fast, easy installation, and a skewer with a one-handed adjustment dial and dual extruded aluminum tray for increased stability and durability. Integrated SKS™ security locks the bike to the ForkLift and also locks the ForkLift to the vehicle for maximum protection. This mount will eventually replace the Viper and SteelHead products, reducing SKUs at retail for a simplified selling experience.

QuickBack™
The QuickBack is designed for consumers who prefer not to put bikes on top of their vehicle or do not own a vehicle with a hitch receiver. Replacing the current premium trunk mount, KingJoe, the QuickBack features Yakima's proprietary sliding ArchBack™ technology that improves the ease of installation and vehicle fit. The convenient, adjustable ArchBack base and labeled straps provide a "fit and forget" installation while the adjustable arms fit a wide range of bikes. An industry first, the QuickBack will include built-in security, with a steel-reinforced strap that locks the mount to your car, providing the ability to lock the bikes to the rack. Soft, anti-skid feet and hooks provide vehicle stability and protection. An adjustable knob folds down the padded arms when not in use, and a bottle opener at the end of the mount satisfies thirsty riders in need of a post-ride beverage.

YAKIMA STREAMLINES BICYCLE DEALER AND CONSUMER RETAIL EXPERIENCE WITH NEW VERSATILE TOWER AND MULTI-FIT LANDING PAD

RailGrab™ Tower Replaces Six Current Retail SKUs; Landing Pad 11™ Provides Solutions for a Wide Range of Current and Future Vehicles

BEAVERTON, Ore. (July 15, 2008) - Reinforcing its commitment to provide "sweet and easy" vehicle fit solutions for its bicycle consumers and retailers, Yakima, an innovator in vehicle racks for boats, bikes, camping, winter sports gear, and cargo boxes has refined its multi-sport base system solutions, providing consumers new options for carrying bike, boat, snow and cargo products simultaneously. The RailGrab Tower replaces six SKUs, giving dealers a streamlined offering at retail, while providing consumers with a simple product that fits both flush and raised factory side rails. Integrating with Yakima's Control Tower, the Landing Pad 11 provides a sleek fit by attaching to factory hard-points which exist on many high-end vehicles currently on the market and are the future trend for many auto manufacturers. Both products will be unveiled at Interbike, September 24-26 in Las Vegas, booth #3935, and will be available at retail beginning early 2009.

"These products facilitate easier selling and purchasing decisions for our bicycle retailers and consumers," said Mike Steck, senior director of customer marketing and sustainability for Yakima. "By reducing the SKU count and increasing the product functionality, we are giving retailers better choices, while enabling consumers to get outdoors quicker, hitting the roads and trails."

RailGrab Tower
The RailGrab Tower replaces six current SKUs including the LowRider, Locking EZ Rider, LowRider Max and three claws. Consumers with both raised and flush side rails will now be able to fit their vehicles with a single tower. Currently, no other rack provider offers this option without using multiple SKUs. A configurable claw with an integrated tool adjustment raises and lowers the height of the tower to fit the side rail and anchor to the bar to preserve the setting.

Landing Pad 11
The Landing Pad 11 is a multi-fit base enhancing Yakima's ability to fit the numerous current and future vehicles with factory hard points. In addition, the Landing Pad 11 will also fit premium vehicles such as BMW, Mercedes, Range Rover and Saab not previously on Yakima's fit list. The Landing Pad 11 is easily installed, fitting directly to the factory hard points and integrating with the Control Tower for enhanced stability, durability and effortless removal when not in use.

YAKIMA REVAMPS CARGO LINE WITH NEW SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AND
RECYCLED COMPONENTS


LoPro SkyBox Features First Self-Activated Solar Light and 80% Recycled Plastic

BEAVERTON, Ore. (July 15, 2008) - Expanding upon its company-wide sustainability initiatives and Planet Payback program, Yakima, an innovator in vehicle racks for boats, bikes, camping, winter sports gear, and cargo boxes, will introduce the Yakima LoPro, a premium low profile SkyBox made of 80% recycled plastic featuring integrated solar light technology that will include the cargo mat and net for easy organization of gear. The integrated, self-activated solar light is the first of its kind in the cargo box category. Yakima will also unveil a new rendition of the classic RocketBox series, also made of 80% recycled plastic. All products will be unveiled at Interbike, September 24-26 in Las Vegas, booth #3935, and will be available at retail beginning early 2009.

"As a leading manufacturer of bike mounts, we are working hard to help pave the way in sustainability for the vehicle rack and cargo categories and will continue to expand upon these initiatives by constantly exploring new technologies and materials," said Mike Steck, senior director of customer marketing and sustainability for Yakima. "These products give our eco-conscious cycling consumers a more sustainable way to carry gear."

LoPro SkyBox
The LoPro Skybox is intended for consumers with tall vehicles, low garages and/or those looking for a low profile, space-saving solution. At 15.5 cubic feet, this cargo box, in a new metallic charcoal gray color, embraces the current popular aerodynamic design of the original SkyBox series, but features the SkyLight a solar-powered light manufactured by SolLight of Hood River, Ore., that automatically illuminates the SkyBox when opened for better visibility.

Consumers have enhanced ease of use and security with the SuperLatch™, a new ergonomic handle making its debut in the new LoPro SkyBox. In alignment with its Skybox Series, the LoPro includes the stiffest lid in the cargo box category, improving performance, security and durability. The LoPro features quick-install hardware with a universal fit on all crossbars and a pad to protect the base of the cargo box and the gear inside. Both the LoPro and SkyBox Pro series will now come with an integrated cargo mat and net for better gear security.

RocketBox 11, 15s and 16
This series of cargo boxes now has new mounting hardware and updated branding. A new naming system includes: RocketBox 11, RocketBox 15s and RocketBox 16 that reflects their sizing: 11, 15 and 16 cubic feet, respectively.

source: Jaclyn, CGPR Public Relations