REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Northwest is home to 
some of the hottest snowboard companies in the world, including 
Morrow International (Nasdaq: MRRW), Ride Inc. (Nasdaq: RIDE) and 
Straight Line Enterprises.  The skyrocketing growth of the snowboard 
industry has grabbed investors, as proven by the high valuations 
placed on the two pure-play public companies in the industry, 
Morrow, which recently went public at over $11 per share and Ride, 
which has traded as high as 60 times earnings.  Straight Line 
Enterprises, Inc., a leader in the water sports equipment market 
based in Redmond, Washington, is still privately held and has only 
recently expanded into the winter sports market. 

Founded originally as a water ski rope manufacturer, Straight Line 
began producing wakeboards in 1992.  Wakeboards were a natural 
addition to Straight Line's product line because of the company's 
great reputation in the water sports accessory market and the 
popularity of towables in the marketplace.  Then in 1995, Straight 
Line further diversified its products and expanded its manufacturing 
facility to produce snowboards.  "Snowboards were a perfect fit for 
us, because the manufacturing steps are very similar and the skills of 
our operators transfer over very nicely," stated Michael Gai, Chief 
Executive Officer. "Despite steady gains in our sales and reputation, 
we recognized that to generate a respectable level of growth in sales 
and earnings, we needed to become a multi-seasonal manufacturer.  
With the new balance the snowboard business brings to our 
manufacturing schedule, we can keep our skilled labor force working 
year round and significantly improve cash flow." 

Although the company only fired up its snowboard operations this 
fall, it has already generated over $2.5 million in firm orders from 
OEM snowboard business.  In fiscal 1995, Straight Line reported sales 
increased 25% to $6.1 million with almost no winter market sales.  
"We are delighted that we've been able to partner with some of the 
most prestigious snowboard names in the business to provide 'Made 
in the USA' quality manufacturing," stated David Jarzynka, Straight 
Line's President. 

Straight Line also manufactures and distributes Neptune brand 
snowboards.  "At the end of summer, a lot of our customers swap 
wakeboards for snowboards, and we wanted to leverage the 
popularity of the Neptune line," stated Blake Lewis, Vice President of 
Marketing. "We're finding that our target consumer, the 14 to 25 
year old male, is brand aware and willing to pay for the features and 
performance of a high-quality board.  We hope that those riders who 
are bent on Neptune wakeboards will transfer that loyalty to our 
snowboards when they hit the slopes." 

Seasonality is a big issue in the snowboard industry and Straight 
Line's approach gives them a competitive edge.  Morrow, based in 
Salem, Oregon, shows seasonality in their sales with 75% of sales 
occurring in the last six months of the year.  This trend holds true for 
other snowboard manufacturers as well. 

Straight Line Enterprises, Inc., originally Straight Line Water Sports, 
Inc., changed its name to reflect the company's new cross-seasonal 
business focus and its diversification into winter sports equipment 
manufacturing.  Straight Line and Neptune products have been used 
by numerous champions, and are favored by dealers for their high-
quality, generous margins and fast sell-through rate. 

Analysts predict the snowboard industry will grow at an annual rate 
of 35% - 50%.  By the year 2000, they estimate that the number of 
snowboarders may double to about four million from 2.1 million in 
1994 and sales could more than triple 1994's $85 million.  "Straight 
Line is poised to become one of the fastest growing companies that 
manufactures both snow and water sports equipment.  We are one of 
the few companies in the world with the capacity to produce over 
50,000 wakeboards and snowboards per year," stated Gai. 

Despite being dominated by teenagers in its early development, 
adults have discovered snowboarding, with 40% of the growing 
snowboarding population over the age of 40.  By the year 2000, 
snowboarders are expected to comprise 40% of the snow sport 
population. Likewise, the recreational ski resorts have embraced 
snowboarding with over 95% of domestic ski areas offering 
snowboarding as compared to only 7% in 1985.  Additionally, the 
Olympic Committee has included snowboarding in the 1996 winter 
games. 

Industry analysts report that snowboarding is the fastest growing 
snow sport for a variety of reasons:  1) many people find 
snowboarding is easier than skiing because they are able to maintain 
greater control; 2) snowboarding is safer than skiing since both feet 
are anchored to one object rather than two, resulting in less ankle 
and knee injuries;  3) snowboard equipment is less expensive than 
ski equipment;  4) snowboard equipment is more comfortable, as 
made evident by the fact that many snowboarders use their boots to 
tread any snow-laden terrain;  5) snowboarding equipment is more 
convenient from the versatility of the boots and the absence of poles. 

Founded in 1986, Straight Line manufactures ski ropes, wakeboards 
and snowboards under its own brand names, Straight Line and 
Neptune. Straight Line also manufacturers these popular sporting 
goods products under private label brands for accounts that include 
Stearns Manufacturing, Sea Doo, a division of Bombardier Inc. 
(TORONTO: BBD), Polaris, Arctic Cat, Swimways Corp.-Hydroslide 
Division, Ride Snowboards (Nasdaq: RIDE), Union Bay, Ocean Pacific 
and Full Sail Brewery. 

CO:  Straight Line Enterprises, Inc.; Morrow International; Ride Inc. 

ST:  Washington 

IN:  LEI 

SU: