DELAND, Fla., Sept. 13, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- BP International, Inc. (OTCBB:BPIL), which manufactures tennis court and athletic field equipment and fabric architecture shade shelters and pavilions, was featured in the lead article of the Industrial Fabric Review June issue. The five-page article, entitled "Under Cover", addresses the hugely expanding shade shelter market, and some of the factors governing that growth. It features an interview with Larry Ball, BP International CEO, and shows the company's structures in three out of the four article photos.
"Other national trade magazines have carried similar articles, but this is the major publication for the fabric industry, and they are saying in print what we've been saying about this market for years," said Larry Ball, BP International CEO. "The article discusses the recognized connection between sun over-exposure in children and adult skin cancers; the potential for legislation requiring shade on playgrounds; and the enormous growth potential just in the UV protection industry.
"When we initially investigated the potential for a fabric structure product line, we were strongly motivated by the research emerging, at that time it was the late 1990s, that linked deadly cancers with too much sun exposure in childhood. We were moved by the sight of bare playgrounds baking in the hot southern sun, and we knew we were positioned to do something about it. As a result, we have been building fabric shade shelters over playgrounds for six years, and we are recognized as one of the primary shade companies in the recreation/playground protection market. But shade shelters are only a small part of the overall fabric structure market.
"There is suddenly a lot of validity for those of us who have pioneered this industry. What we have been expecting, and planning for, is finally being recognized nationwide. What's exciting is that we have worked hard to build a solid reputation in the industry. This article, and others posted at this website, demonstrates that BP International is, indeed, recognized as one of the industry leaders."
(Read "Safe Sun: A healthy demand for Shade" on BP International's recently remodeled and upgraded website.)
The article cites health concerns -- recent studies linking early childhood sun over-exposure with deadly skin cancer later in life -- as the primary motivator for growth within the industry. That concern is closely linked to the maturation of America's population ... a populace that used to worship the sun now wants to be sheltered from the sun ... and has the income to make it happen.
The article points out that these health concerns are no longer a fad but a fact of life so powerful that it is affecting state legislation around the country and determining the disposition of literally tens of millions of dollars annually. Foundations are springing up with two primary mandates: encourage the teaching of safe sun habits, and arrange for grants to help schools build shade structures.
"There are many significant organizations talking about how the UV protection need is creating an enormous building boom, with fabric front and center of that growth," said Larry Ball. "What we are looking at, now that we are well-established in the UV protection industry, are the many additional applications for our fabric structure products. We are aggressively pursuing other markets including: hail protection, parking covers, pavilions, outdoor dining, marinas, multi-family housing, tourist attractions and parks...the list is just about endless."
Forward-Looking Statements:
Statements made in this news release that relate to future plans, events or performances are forward-looking statements. Any statement containing words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," or "expects" and other statements which are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking, and these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations. Consequently, actual results could differ materially from the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. Reference is made to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of such risks and uncertainties.