SWTC, LOUET SPIN FIBER DISTRIBUTION DEAL

-- Family companies join forces to reach retailers in US and Canada

TEMPE, Ariz. –Renewable fiber pioneer South West Trading Company (SWTC), known in the textile industry for its “unexpected” products made from Earth-friendly resources, announced today that long-time fiber purveyor Louet North America (LNA) will become the official distributor of SWTC fiber by the end of July 2007. The two companies—both family-owned and run—are very excited about the new agreement, which will greatly improve availability of SWTC fibers in the United States and Canada.
“We are thrilled to work with Louet North America, “ said SWTC president Jonelle Raffino, who co-founded the swiftly growing company with her mother in 2001. “They are a family business just like SWTC and their specialty in spinning wheels and supplies makes this a great opportunity for both companies. We trust our spinning fiber customers will receive excellent care from the Van Stralen family at Louet!”

            All of SWTC’s innovative fibers for hand spinners, including SOYSILK® (a tofu byproduct), Bamboo (100 percent bamboo), Karaoke (50% SOYSILK, 50 percent wool) and Silk Latte (made from milk protein) will be distributed by LNA.

         “SWTC’s products are the perfect addition to our collection of natural fibers,” said Dave Van Stralen, president of LNA. “Our goal is to provide the widest range of natural fibers possible, and SWTC is a single source for a variety of new fibers with an established brand name and following. This is an exciting expansion for LNA and for LNA customers, who will be able to get a wider range of products in the same order.”

Based in Prescott, Ontario, Canada, a border town with a bridge crossing the St.Lawrence river into the United States, LNA is uniquely positioned to serve fiber retailers in both countries. US-bound products are packed in Prescott and, in effect, shipped domestically from the company’s US facility across the bridge in Ogdensburg, New York.

         LNA also offers a variety of methods for retailers to order fiber: through sales representatives, online using a B2B e-commerce system, via fax, via email, or via a toll free phone number that allows US retailers to deal with a Canadian company without the added cost of international phone calls.

About South West Trading Company

Founded by a mother/daughter knitting team in 2001, South West Trading Company is a family-run company dedicated to offering innovative, luxurious and environmentally friendly textile products. To date, the company is best known for its uniquely “green,” high-end products for knitting enthusiasts, including yarns made from soy, bamboo, corn, milk and chitin (recycled shrimp and crab shells). For more information, please visit www.soysilk.com.

About Louet North America

Louet North America has been serving customers in the yarn industry since the mid-1970's, when owner Trudy Van Stralen started her fiber and hand dyeing business. Trudy's expertise in identifying quality fiber continues to guide Louet North America as the company has grown to be one of the largest fiber suppliers to the hand spinning and knitting markets in North America, boasting over 150 different fiber types and colors. For more information, please visit www.louet.com.

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