Michelin Launches New Line Of Professional Working Footwear; Company Exhibiting Footwear At WSA Show Booth # 3866

LAS VEGAS--Feb. 1, 20040, 2004--Michelin Footwear Technologies, a division of Soletech Inc. will launch Michelin's first line of professional working footwear set to go to market later this year. Michelin Footwear Technologies is exhibiting the new line in Booth # 3866 at the World Shoe Association (WSA) Shoe Show taking place February 9 - 13, 2004 at the Sands Expo and Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

Soletech, an official licensee of Michelin, aims to bring the quality, performance, innovation and safety synonymous with the Michelin brand to this new line of safety and working footwear. Footwear industry insiders and consumers alike will immediately recognize many of Michelin's popular tire treads leveraged in every sole design with a specific biomechanical function.

The Michelin line of working footwear brings a new level of comfort, performance, safety and aggressive styling to the footwear market. Michelin Footwear Technologies designed the line "from the inside out," recognizing that performance and safety are essential over all other considerations for workers on the job. By developing the footwear from the inside out Michelin Footwear Technologies was able to focus in on key features that will drive the performance of the footwear in the workplace. Michelin's professional working footwear provides benefits not available in other products including:

-- Michelin Tire Treads - Michelin's footwear is based on some of the company's most popular tire treads including the Pilot Exalto, 4x4 Syncrone and the LTX A/T "Off Road." The treads are bi-directional providing traction and slip resistance in all conditions.

-- Better Than Air Support System - Michelin's footwear is constructed on an automotive inspired chassis-based support system, which creates the same "cradle effect" of a high performance-racing seat. The footbed is supported by the Michelin TPU chassis system creating a built-in orthodic.

-- Extended Coverage - Michelin's extended coverage provides a buffer between the end of the steel safety toe and the rest of the shoe to prevent the "bunching" or "toe bite" that so often causes discomfort in other shoes or boots.

-- Hooklet (TM) Fasteners - Michelin's footwear line provides wearers an option for lacing by combining the eyelet and hook into one functional feature - the "hooklet."

The footwear may be built from the inside out, however it is the aggressive and cutting-edge design that consumers will notice first. From the Michelin tread soles, to the rugged uppers, the boots and shoes are designed to take wearers from the work site straight to their after work activities. The line is engineered to provide the highest level of comfort and safety on the job, however Michelin Footwear Technologies designed the shoes and boots to fit the lifestyle of the worker far away from the job site.

"The Michelin brand stands for safety, performance and mobility worldwide," commented Tom Costin, president and CEO of Soletech Inc. "Extending the brand to this line of professional safety footwear makes perfect sense as we supply shoes and boots that will provide unmatched performance and safety for workers. When consumers take their first look at the line they will immediately identify the innovation in styling, tread performance and mobility, durability of materials, comfort construction and safety features in the footwear that are inherent features of the Michelin brand."

Michelin Footwear Technologies boasts an executive team with extensive experience in the footwear industry including marketing, business development, domestic and international sales, operations and product development and design.

President and CEO, Tom Costin, acquired SoleTech, Inc. in 1979 and has grown the company into a multi-division operation that designs, sources and distributes footwear components and finished footwear all over the world. Senior Executive Vice President, Rick Johnson brings over 34 years of footwear industry experience to Michelin Footwear Technologies including positions at such leading companies as Milford Shoe, Street Cars and New Balance for Kids. Larry Noss, national sales manager, held positions at Edison Brothers, Kangaroos, and the Caterpillar Division of Wolverine World Wide over his thirty-year career in the shoe industry.

Michelin's line of footwear will be available in late spring.

About Michelin

MICHELIN's mission is to contribute to the progress of the mobility of people and goods by facilitating the freedom, safety, efficiency and enjoyment of travel. Founded in 1889 Michelin North America is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. Michelin has more than 70 manufacturing facilities in 18 countries.

About Soletech

Soletech, Inc. was established in 1946 as a supplier of outsole materials to the US shoe industry. Today Soletech is a multi-division company that designs, sources, markets and distributes footwear and components worldwide.