VENTURA Calif., Sept. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopaper.com
is a subsidiary of SGD Holdings LTD (OTC Bulletin Board: SGDH).
Ecopaper, a leading provider of fine tree-free environmental
paper products, announced today that it has entered into an
exclusive licensing agreement with an elite group of Fine Artists
known for the creation of art that meets the highest national
standards of excellence. Ecopaper has identified a strong
opportunity to broaden global reach with a new brand extension of
tree-free paper products. "In this relationship, we have
created a program which allows the artists to promote their art and
the Ecopaper brand in a custom journal program which gives us the
right to use the art," states Harry
Johansing, Chief Executive Officer of Ecopaper.
Johansing continues, "This agreement broadens our product
base and has the potential to significantly increase sales by
simultaneously exploring the penetration of the Fine Arts market.
We plan to capitalize on opportunities to increase the reach
of the Ecopaper product line. Ultimately, our goal is to
change consumption patterns of paper consumers so that their
purchases don't destroy endangered forests. We strive to
shift the demand for paper to sustainable options and provide
environmentally friendly papers that meet our customer's quality,
price and supply expectations. Ecopaper is very excited to
be working with this select group of artists as we expand our
program into targeted industries in the year 2013. We believe
some of the most successful and innovative companies worldwide will
be interested in licensing our brand. This licensing
initiative is aligned with our plans to educate the public about
our sustainable papers and to provide customers more access to our
tree-free products."
The Ecopaper licensing partnerships will leverage the artist's
name, reputation, expertise and a broad collection of works in
2013. The results of a market analysis indicated that,
"licensing in not-for-profit organizations operates along the same
lines as the licensing business does in the for-profit world. The
goal is to find the right licensee that shares the brand vision and
can maximize the opportunity. But in this sector as much as in any
other, the definition of 'maximizing the opportunity' often goes
far beyond the immediate revenue generated. According to
results of an Annual Licensing Business Survey, licensing by
not-for-profit organizations generated $35
million in revenue in North
America in 2011, which translates into retail sales of about
$758 million. That's 2.9% more than
it generated the year before."
"As such, it accounts for a small sliver of the overall
licensing business, where, according the … Survey – conducted
on the association's behalf … — licensors generated an estimated
$5.316 billion in royalty revenue in
North America in 2011. That's 5%
higher than the $5.065 billion they
generated in the previous year. Notably, this year's report shows
the first year-on-year increase in royalty revenue since 2006.
Those royalty numbers translate into estimated retail sales of
licensed goods in the U.S. and Canada of $109.3
billion, five percent higher than the $104.0 billion in retail sales in the territory
in 2010."
More information is available about SGD Holdings Ltd. its
operating subsidiary, Eco Paper, Inc., at www.Ecopaper.com.
ABOUT SGD HOLDINGS LTD.:
SGD Holdings, LTD. (OTCBB: Pink Sheets-SGDH). In 1989, Eco
Paper, Inc. traveled to Costa Rica
and began the transformation away from tree used products and
created a way to use post consumer and agricultural waste as paper
using no chemicals, less water, and inks made from vegetable oil
and soy. Less harmful to the environment and is petroleum free,
Banana paper was born. Eco Paper, Inc. and Costa Rica Natural Paper
now produce 100%, tree-free, acid-free, eco natural paper and paper
products from all natural fibers. We use fibers from banana,
coffee, hemp, lemon and other exotic tropical agro-industrial
wastes thereby reducing the need of destroying our trees around the
world.
Product Mission: We make, distribute, and sell only the finest
environmental papers. We are continually committed to the use of
wholesome natural ingredients, and we promote business practices
that respect humanity, Earth, and the environment. We strive to
minimize, and eventually counteract, any negative impact on the
environment.
With the respect of all that surrounds us, Ecopaper and our
natural sustainable banana paper products use the best available,
least impactful technology to create for you, the consumer an
environmentally friendly product that we all can be proud of.
The Company encourages the public to read the above information
in conjunction with its year-end statement for December 31, 2011, and the quarterly statements
filed in calendar year 2012 and 2011, at www.OTC Markets.com.
The information contained in this press release may include
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements usually
contain the words "may," "could," "possibly," "feel," "estimate,"
"anticipate," "believe," "expect," or similar expressions that
involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties
include the Company's uncertain profitability, need for significant
capital, uncertainty concerning market acceptance of its services,
competition, limited service facilities, dependence on
technological developments and protection of its intellectual
property. The Company's actual results could differ materially from
those discussed herein.
Contact:
SGD Holdings, Ltd.
Harry Johansing
Investor Relations
(805) 644-4462
SOURCE SGD Holdings, Ltd.