PUMA Signs Angola

Herzogenaurach, Germany, December 14th, 2005 – PUMA and the Angolan Football Federation (Federação Angolana de Futebol) today announced a long-term agreement commencing January 1st, 2006.

Under the agreement, PUMA is named the Official Supplier of all on-field, sideline, training and representation apparel as well as equipment to the associated Men’s ‘A’, ‘U21/Olympics’, Youth and Women’s national teams. The new agreement stretches beyond the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“The co-operation with the Angolan Football Federation is final confirmation of PUMA’s unparalleled involvement in African football,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman & CEO of PUMA A.G., and continued: “Needless to say, we are delighted to be the official supplier to all five African national teams for next year’s tournament in Germany, let alone the fact that we are the dominant kit supplier with a total of twelve teams come June next year.”

Angola will be endorsing PUMA’s new v1.06 statement product concept to be introduced in January, coinciding with the start of the 2006 CAF African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Tournament debutants Angola successfully qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup having overcome Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Gabon, Algeria and Rwanda in Group 4 of the CAF qualification group stages. Angola, nicknamed ‘Palancas Negras’ (Black Antelopes), recorded this historic milestone following a 1-0 away win in Rwanda on the last day of qualifying to oust Nigeria at the top of the table, thereby putting an end to 21 years of longing.

December 2005

Puma Bid

Billionaire siblings Gunter and Daniela Herz have upped their stake in German sporting goods firm Puma to 25 percent. Shares soared to a record high as a result.

The siblings, who increased their 17 percent stake by 8 percent, now own a majority stake in the company. This has prompted speculation that Puma might be subject to a takeover by either the siblings or by a rival like Nike.

Heinrich Stahl, head of Maryland, the investment vehicle that was used by the siblings in their purchase, said that a takover offer was not on the cards as yet, but declined to rule out the possibility altogether. “After the acquisition of Reebok by Adidas and the presentation of phase IV of its strategy by Puma, we are showing we believe further in Puma,” he told the FT. He admitted that a takeover by Nike would “make a lot of sense” for the that company. “Our targets are long-term. So we don't set out to make short-term investments. We believe in the future of Puma as a stand-alone company,” he added.

September 2005

Puma - strong growth!

Puma's worldwide branded sales, which include consolidated and license sales, rose 18.1% currency-neutral or, in Euro by 16.3% to €639 million. Footwear sales improved by 13.3% (in Euro 11.5%) to €376 million, Apparel by 21.5% (19.7%) to €211 million and Accessories by a strong 46.9% (45.1%) to €52 million.

The sportswear brand further saw consolidated sales increase for the 25th consecutive quarter and continued with another double-digit growth of 13.7% currency-neutral in Q1. In Euro, this means an increase of 11.9% to €497 million. Sales in the largest segment, footwear, were up 12.1% (in Euro 10.6%) to €338 million and Apparel by 12.4% (11.2%) to €124 million. Accessories realized the strongest growth rate with 32.5% (30.1%) and sales climbed to €35 million.

April 2005