To: puckhead who wrote (67174 ) 4/9/1999 11:09:00 AM From: David D. Respond to of 119973
DYPR has news & moving: Company Press Release Drypers Achieves National Distribution With Kmart HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 1999--Drypers Corporation (Nasdaq:DYPR - news) will begin shipping Drypers brand disposable diapers nationally to Kmart stores this month, marking a significant milestone in the Company's strategy of expanding its distribution in the US mass merchandising market. Drypers diapers will be available in 1,500 Big Kmart stores across the country by mid-May. Drypers brand diapers are currently carried in Kmart's 102 Super Kmart centers across the country. ''We are extremely pleased to be expanding our relationship with Kmart, one of the nation's most respected retailers,'' said Walter V. Klemp, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Drypers Corporation. ''This agreement validates the investments we made last year in national television advertising to build brand awareness and in expanding our production capacity so that we would be ready for this kind of opportunity.'' Kmart (NYSE:KM - news) and other mass merchant and national drug retailers account for approximately 50 percent of the $4 billion US disposable diaper market. While Drypers brand diapers are distributed in 74 percent of US grocery stores, this marks the first time Drypers will be distributed chain-wide on an ongoing basis by a mass merchandiser. ''We view this as an opportunity to attract new consumers and grow sales within the category in our stores,'' said Reg Mears, Divisional Vice President, Consumables and Edibles, Kmart Corporation. ''Drypers ties in well with our existing product lines, especially since we both share an affiliation with the Children's Television Workshop through Sesame Street merchandising.'' Drypers features Sesame Street characters on its diapers and wipes. Kmart carries an extensive selection of Sesame Street items including children's clothing, toys and other products. About Drypers Corporation