New York, NY – 26 February 2008 – QIO Systems, the wearable electronics spin-out of Eleksen, has announced that it has agreed a joint sales and marketing agreement with Cotswold Industries.  Cotswold will resell QIO’s full line of accessory electronics designed for iPod and Bluetooth devices to apparel manufacturers worldwide.  Cotswold will also resell Eleksen’s ElekTex® touchpads directly to apparel customers worldwide.

In an emerging market populated with small, undercapitalised players, Cotswold brings a truly global capability to the wearable electronics market.  With a global logistics team already focused on providing millions of trim items each year to some of the globe’s top brands like Levi Strauss, The Gap, VF Corporation, Abercrombie & Fitch and others,  Cotswold has a proven reputation for delivery and world class customer service.

Under the agreement, Cotswold will resell ElekTex touchpads and QIO electronics to apparel brands and manufacturers for bundled (wholesale) and eSystem (directly to the retail) distribution for company retail locations. Cotswold will also provide worldwide integration support for its customers.  QIO Systems retains responsibility for marketing and brand awareness for the QIO solutions and the ElekTex touchpads.

 

“QIO wanted to be sure that we were able to scale our business to support some of our largest customers,” commented John Collins, CEO and President of QIO Systems, “signing with a heavy hitter like Cotswold brings enormous sales presence and logistics capabilities to this market.  Cotswold is the ideal partner for bringing wearable lifestyle electronics from a boutique solution to the mass market.  Customers now have the option of buying their technology from a partner that they’ve known and trusted for over 50 years.”

“All of our customers are interested in this space and the spin-out of QIO from Eleksen ensures that product quality and Eleksen’s design excellence will continue to add tremendous value to Cotswold's core apparel offerings ,” remarked James McKinnon, CEO of Cotswold Industries, “We're so excited to be the organization to take QIO’s solutions to the mass market.  Our goal is to embed an ElekTex touchpad in every outerwear garment within the next 10 years.”

Cotswold is accepting orders for delivery of ElekTex products and electronics directly or through its sales and marketing partners. Cotswold can be contacted at their New York office at +1-212-689-3432 for all product inquiries



About QIO Systems™
QIO Systems is the wearable electronics spin-out of market leader Eleksen.  QIO designs, develops and manufactures next generation accessory electronics for interactive apparel and soft goods applications supporting the seamless integration of mobile entertainment devices like MP3 players, cell phones, AM/FM/Digital radio, push-to-talk systems in consumers everyday lives.

QIO manufactures, sells and markets Eleksen’s ElekTex® textile touchpads under exclusive world-wide license from Peratech Limited for use in wearable electronics applications for consumer apparel, bags and accessories as well as commercial work wear applications supporting integrated electronics controls for entertainment, communications, environmental, safety and bio-monitoring devices.

Based in New York and London, QIO Systems serves as the technology partner to boutique and global apparel and lifestyle brands worldwide.  

For further information please contact QIO Systems at

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QIO, QIO Systems are trademarks of QIO Systems, Inc. Eleksen, ElekTex are trademarks of Peratech Limited

About Cotswold Industries
Cotswold Industries is a US based manufacturer and converter of apparel and industrial textile products, for sale in North America, Latin America and throughout the Asia / Pacific region.

Cotswold brings over 50 years of product innovation and industry expertise to the global apparel market. The company is a vertically integrated manufacturer and industry expert in bringing component  parts to market for major branded apparel companies throughout the world.

Cotswold is a third generation family company headquartered in New York, NY.. ( www.cotswoldapparel.com )