“I am very pleased with our new partnership with Ferrari and its Formula 1 team,” says Jochen Zeitz, CEO and Chairman of PUMA AG. “Over the past years, PUMA has strengthened its position as one of the leading suppliers in the motorsport area. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro is at the top of Formula 1 and like PUMA they combine high performance, technological competence and design with innovative styling. This makes the team the perfect fit for us and we are proud to work with such a successful partner and to celebrate future triumphs together with them.

Jean Todt and Jochen Zeitz

Jean Todt, Director General of Ferrari, as well as responsible for the Formula 1 team adds: “PUMA is one of the leading suppliers in motorsport and we are looking forward to working with our new partner.”

With the Future Cat (high and low cut) the merchandising collection – available to the consumer from March 2005 – features a unique product. The red and white shoe carries both the Ferrari Racing Shield as well as the PUMA logo. The range of articles will also include the team-shirt and team-polo (long- and short-sleeve) as well as caps, sweatshirts, rainjackets, and the official replica-shirt, identical to those worn by the team. As a special design feature the well-known footwear Formstrip is incorporated into the epaulette.

Ferrari has a long and proud history in motorsport. As early as 1951, Ferrari achieved its first victory at the Grand Prix of Great Britain. Besides the early success in securing this season’s World Drivers’ title as well as the World Constructors’ Championship, further highlights have been the 13 other Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship titles the team collected over the past decades.

PUMA performance racing shoes were first used by various drivers and teams in the 1970s and early 1980s. And since 1998 PUMA’s motorsport division has gradually assembled an impressive portfolio of sponsorships. In the 2004 season PUMA is the official supplier of racing gear in several motorsport disciplines in addition to Formula 1, such as WRC, F 3000, DTM, etc.

 “I feel very honored to have been elected president of FESI,“ says Horst Widmann. “It will be my aim to strengthen the standing of the European sporting goods industry towards the European Commission and to lobby the interests of the federation not only in Brussels, but also with the different EU member governments. This will also be beneficial for the consumers.“

Mr. Widmann will in the future put further emphasis on international trade relations, import regulations, environmental and social issues, trademark rights as well as effective influential activity towards the important international federations and organizations such as the Olympic Committee and FIFA.

Horst Widmann has worked in the sports industry for over 30 years and has been with PUMA since 1990.

PUMA AG announces its consolidated financial results for the 3rd Quarter and First Nine Month of 2004

Financial Highlights:

• PUMA reports strongest quarter in history.
• Consolidated sales grow almost 17% in Q3 and 23% ytd. (currency neutral).
• Highest gross profit margin ever achieved in a quarter.
• EBIT margin sustains a high level: 27% in Q3 and 25% ytd.
• Earnings per share up 22% to €5.30 and 41% to €13.75 respectively.

Outlook:

• Management anticipates new records across the board in FY2004, and upgrades earnings expectations: Sales growth of around 20% and earnings growth between 35% and 40% now anticipated.
• 35th consecutive quarter of order growth
• Future orders are up by 19% currency adjusted.
  
  

Sales and earnings review

Strong sales performance

Third Quarter showed another outstanding performance with growth in consolidated sales of 16.5% on a currency-neutral basis or by 14.6% to €461 million in Euro currency. Footwear sales grew by 13.9% (in Euro terms 12.4%) to €301 million, Apparel increased 19.3% (17.6%) to €130 million and Accessories were up 27.1% (25.1%) to €31 million. Currency neutral sales for the first nine months jumped by 22.5%. In Euro terms, sales were up 20.1% to €1,257 million, nearly reaching full year sales of FY2003. Footwear sales grew by 18.1% (in Euro terms 16.2%) to €836 million, Apparel by 28.5% (26.6%) to €339 million and Accessories recognized the strongest growth of 39.8% (38.6%) reaching €82 million.

Branded sales growth in line with consolidated sales

PUMA’s global branded sales, which include consolidated and licensee sales, totaled €590 million during Q3, an increase of 17.2% (in Euro terms 15.2%) over last year. Licensed sales contributed with an increase of 19.7% (17.3%) to global sales. During the first nine months, branded sales grew by 20.9% currency neutral or by 18.9% to €1,604 million. Footwear sales rose by 15.4% (in Euro terms 13.4%) to €922 million, Apparel by 27.7% (25.7%) to €556 million and Accessories by 36% (34%) to €126 million. Sales from licensees were up by 15.3% or 14.5% respectively.

The three executions are planed to run on either terrestrial, or national, and cable stations globally. The concepts running this December feature three marquee PUMA products. In one execution that highlights the vibrant color palette of the TX-3, a 1980’s running shoe, hordes of blue butterflies swoop in and carry the shoe off screen. The second spot features any army of ants that flex their muscles by walking off with the Scrill, referencing the earthy character of the rock climbing inspired shoe. One of the most playful spots features PUMA’s signature track training shoe, the Taper, being carefully inspected and handled by a curious monkey.

In addition to the TV campaign, a print execution will follow and both will run through Q1 of 2005. The print advertising reflects the focused simplicity and whimsical nature of the TV spots.

This campaign will also carry though into creative media tactics engineered by PUMA’s global media buy agency, Zenith Media. PUMA’s brand management teams headed by Antionio Bertone drive the visual concepts with the tactical creative concepts directed by Andrew Zuckerman.

PUMA AG announces its consolidated financial results for the 4th Quarter and Financial Year 2004

Highlights Q4:

• Consolidated sales up 20%
• 51.9% strongest gross profit margin in a fourth quarter
• EBT above expectation
• EPS reaches 2.31 € versus 1.51 € in last year’s quarter

Highlights FY 2004:

• Worldwide brand sales exceed € 2 billion for the first time
• Consolidated sales up almost 23% currency adjusted
• Gross profit margin reaches new record at 51.9%
• EBT once again on record level with €371 million
• EPS increases 43% to 16.06 €
  
  

Outlook:

• Management expects new record in sales and further increase in earnings
• Future orders increase by nearly 18% currency adjusted
  
  

In the 2004 financial year, PUMA continued the positive development of previous years and further expanded its position as a desirable Sportlifestyle brand. The financial targets set at the beginning of the year were significantly exceeded. The financial year closed with double-digit growth for the sixth consecutive year. For the first time, worldwide brand sales reached the € 2 billion mark with a currency-adjusted increase of over 21%. Consolidated sales rose 23%. In addition to the strong sales growth, the gross profit margin likewise climbed to a new record high of nearly 52%. Pre-tax profit reached € 371 million, growing faster than sales for the sixth consecutive year. Earnings per share jumped from € 11.26 to € 16.06. At year-end, PUMA’s share was listed at € 202.30. This corresponds to another significant value increase of 45% compared to the end of the previous year.

The Senegal National Team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, will debut its new PUMA Cellerator kit and training line in the upcoming friendly match against fellow PUMA team Cameroon, a.k.a the Indomitable Lions, to be played on neutral ground in France on February 9th.

Cellerator, PUMA’s established statement football playing kit and training line, represents the pinnacle performance solution within the brand’s football apparel product offering. All Cellerator apparel takes advantage of PUMA’s AMT (Advanced Movement Technology). This technology incorporates articulated cut lines to reduce friction, ensuring the player has a complete freedom of movement. In addition, the textile and material selection across the range has been tailored to players’ requirements – be it breathability, ventilation, moisture management and, naturally, comfort.

Senegal played its first international game in 1961 and have since successfully qualified for the African Cup of Nations Finals on nine occasions with their best finish in 2002, placing second. Later that year, the Lions of Teranga became the second African team to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.

The Senegal National Team is currently en route for the 2006 FIFA World Cup facing Togo, Zambia, Congo, Liberia and Mali in Group 1 of the CAF continental qualifications. The teams’ next upcoming World Cup qualifier is a home game against Liberia on March 25th.

The new PUMA store will act as a laboratory or incubator for the brand to experiment with new ideas and infuse the PUMA personality with the design sensibility of experts from various industries. Each collection in the store is created to stand-alone, however, they are being presented as a together under one roof for the first time with the opening of the new store.

“After embarking into the sport-fashion segment in the mid-1990’s, we felt it was time to create a PUMA environment that showcases the inherent design of these products,” said Jochen Zeitz, CEO and Chairman of PUMA AG. “This store is a first in many respects. PUMA is the first to take the sport-fashion concept a step further by creating a multi-branded store environment. The Meatpacking District store will also provide a setting to connect directly with a cutting edge consumer.”

Two distinctive logos, the jumping cat and the formstrip, typically identify PUMA product to consumers. The existing PUMA Concept Stores utilize the jumping cat branding as its focal point for design direction. In contrast, the PUMA Store Meatpacking District takes its lead for interior design from the brand’s signature formstrip. Intended to highlight the unique aspects of a multitude of collections in an inclusive space, the store also has a black interior that provides a neutral backdrop to focus consumers on the designs of each range. Each of the fixtures in the store is inspired by sport and it is designed to be a place where all of PUMA’s sport-fashion brands can intersect and interact in a unique way. This is shown through new graphics that incorporate the individual logos of all of these collections.

New York, specifically the Meatpacking District, draws the right clientele to support a retail environment dedicated specifically to PUMA’s sport-fashion collections. Known for embracing design and progressive thought, New York is also the center of fashion for the United States. Just as the PUMA Concept Store in New York is the right fit for Broadway in Soho, this new PUMA store is uniquely suited for W 14th Street in the Meatpacking District.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has joined Pelé and PUMA Chairman and CEO, Jochen Zeitz, at 14:45 CET for a brief statement and photo opportunity to celebrate the German sportswear brand’s renewed partnership with the famed football legend.

“Love, passion and football are the three words that come to mind when thinking about Pele,” said Jochen Zeitz, PUMA Chairman and CEO. “We are inspired by Pelé’s presence and we are excited to be working with this remarkable football legend once again.”

While the eyes of the world focus on Germany as the host nation of the 2006 football world championships, this partnership is especially poignant for PUMA. This brand initiative will position Pelé as the brand’s football ambassador while PUMA’s active players promote the brand’s technical football range on the pitch.

“I am very pleased to be working with PUMA once again,” said Pelé. “Over the years PUMA has been my brand and it is great to reunite with them so we can create some excitement for the football fans leading into 2006.”

PUMA AG announces its consolidated financial results for the 1st Quarter of 2005

Highlights Q1:

• Global brand sales increase more than 18% currency-neutral
• Consolidated sales grew almost 14% (currency-neutral)
• Gross profit margin on highest level in company’s history at 53.4%
• EBIT margin increases to 26.5%
• EPS improves by 13.5% from €5.00 to €5.68

Outlook 2005:

• Future orders once again increase by more than 6% currency-neutral and reach €812 million
• Management reaffirms sales and earnings expectations for 2005

Sales and Earnings Development January through March 2005

Global brand sales up over 18%

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.

Consolidated sales almost 14% above last year

Consolidated sales increased 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. All regions contributed positively to this performance.

Mayfair is an asset management company that manages the investments of Günter and Daniela Herz and their families. The company invests in property, financial and business assets.

Jochen Zeitz, CEO of PUMA AG: “We welcome Mayfair as a new shareholder and also welcome the investment in the company, particularly in view of PUMA’s strategic plans as part of Phase IV of the long-term development of the company.”

PUMA will make its announcement on Phase IV of the strategic development of the brand and the company as scheduled in the last week of July.