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Howe Denim Announces New GM

Eric Wical, denim industry veteran, has joined the "Howe Denim" staff as GM/Business Director/Product Development. In this newly created role, Wical will oversee Howe`s operations, sales, and product development divisions with the goal of growing sales and expanding on Howe`s current domestic and overseas retail programs.

Wical has more than 25 successful years of high-level executive experience with both retail and wholesale brands such as Merry-Go-Round, Abercrombie & Fitch, Calvin Klein, Club Monaco, Nike and Paige Denim under his belt. As a senior merchandiser for Abercrombie & Fitch in the mid-1990s, he initiated and executed the relaunch of their men`s denim and casual bottom business. He later achieved revenue increases as both VP of Product Development at Calvin Klein Jeans and in 2001 as Business Director of Nike US Apparel. Before joining Howe, Wical helped guide Paige Premium Denim to over $6 million in sales at their industry trade show launch.

In addition to his strong denim background, Wical combines a trend-savvy knack for streamlining a company`s product mix with a GM`s feel for navigating retail relationships. In his short time at Howe his impact has already been remarkable and he has given the Howe brand a laser sharp focus in a very competitive marketplace.

"We are really excited to bring Eric Wical on to our executive management team. He is going to be instrumental in implementing Howe`s growth plans we have set. He has a solid reputation in the men`s business and brings with him great premium denim experience and will be in charge of running our day-to-day operations," says Per Welinder, CEO of Blitz Distribution, Howe`sparent company.