FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2005

Cooley Weathertyte® Accentuates Saks Fifth Avenue Promotion at their Landmark New York Store

PAWTUCKET, RI — To promote their "Wild About Cashmerre" campaign, New York's SAKS Fifth Avenue called on Capitol Awning, located in Jamaica, NY, to do what they do best, create not only the most attention-grabbing awnings possible, but awnings that also would compliment the renowned stylish sophistication of SAKS. To accomplish this, Capitol Awning needed to find an awning material that not only looked great but could meet weather resistance challenges as well.

Capitol chose an innovative new awning product called Weathertyte, manufactured by Cooley Sign & Awning Products. Weathertyte is a technically advanced, totally waterproof material, which offers the look and feel of a woven fabric but has all the benefits of a high performance composite vinyl. Weathertyte can be decorated with conventional techniques and all colors can also be easily digitally printed. More information regarding Weathertyte can be found at www.weathertyte.com.

Michael Catalano, owner and CEO of Capitol Awning had this to say, "Cooley went above and beyond and was ahead of schedule throughout the project, allowing Capitol Awning to deliver on time. Cooley is the best!"

The SAKS Fifth Avenue design required a vibrant new color for their new awnings. Cooley was able to manufacture a custom "berry" color, which matched the awning design and worked perfectly with SAKS' luminous window displays. The combination of both the awnings and window displays brilliantly compliment the stone architecture of the landmark building.

Peter Burnett, Division Business Unit Manager of Cooley Sign & Awning said, "This is very exciting for Cooley and for the awning industry. Finally, end users and awning manufacturers don't have to choose between the traditional look of a canvas or woven fabric and the waterproof, extremely weatherable performance they need in the application. The response to Weathertyte for high-end applications has been wonderful."

For this project, Capitol constructed 37 retractable awnings in all, which surround the building on three sides. This is the third awning project Capitol Awning has done for SAKS Fifth Avenue in the last year. Capitol's first awning project with SAKS began with a complete refurbishing of all of the awning hardware on the building, which may have dated back to the 1920's.

Capitol Awning is one of the oldest awning and fabric companies in the nation, having been in continuous operation since 1947. Capitol Awning offers a wide range of awning services including project management, site survey, auto-cad design and structural engineering services, prototype design and development, project scheduling, graphic design and installation services. More information regarding Capitol Awning can be found at www.capitolawning.com.

With 56 locations across the United States, SAKS Fifth Avenue is renowned as an arbiter of modern style. From the day its doors opened in 1924, the purpose of this retail legend has always been the same: to be the first and only choice for the most discerning consumers, the ones with the highest expectations. More information can be found at: www.saksincorporated.com.

Cooley Group found its roots in Cooley Finishing Company, founded in 1926 to finish cotton cloth into awning fabric. Today, Cooley employs the latest in chemical engineering technology to produce state-of-the-art polymer materials. The five divisions of Cooley Group are Cooley Sign & Awning Products, Cooley Digital Products, Cooley Engineered Membranes, Cooley Specialty Products and Cooley Building Products. Cooley Sign & Awning Products manufactures a variety of substrates for awnings, backlit signs, banners, as well as other applications. Cooley sign and awning substrates can be seen around the world enhancing the image of many companies such as Boston Market, Exxon Mobil, Dunkin' Donuts and KFC.

Cooley Sign & Awning Products is headquartered in Pawtucket, RI with manufacturing plants and offices in Rhode Island and South Carolina.

Cooley Group
50 Esten Avenue
Pawtucket, RI
Phone: 800-992-0072
Fax: 401-728-1910
E-Mail: info@cooleygroup.com
Website URL: www.cooleygroup.com