World's Largest Car Seat Manufacturer Partners with Leaders in Racing Technology

COLUMBUS, Ind., May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG), a division of Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX; DII.A; DII.B) and the nation's largest juvenile products manufacturer, today announced it has signed an exclusive partnership agreement with Bald Spot Sports (BSS) a leading company in the world of professional car racing.

"By entering into this partnership we are raising the bar on child passenger protection," said DJG Executive Vice President of Child Restraint Systems Barry Mahal. "We will be utilizing the same technology that has allowed race car drivers to walk away from crashes at speeds of 200 miles an hour, in car seats for the advanced protection of children across the country."

Design engineers at DJG are drawing on BSS motorsport safety research and development background to determine how best to utilize its proprietary technology used in the manufacturing of race car cockpit crash materials. Preliminary evaluation and testing indicates the race car seat foam material, in combination with the geometrical shape that the foam takes when applied to a child safety seat, is allowing side impact forces to be absorbed and directed away from the child occupant in ways not seen before.

The foam has a proven track record in design flexibility and molding and in providing greater strength in racing seat technology. It is used by 70-80 percent of Indy car drivers as well as on other professional race circuits such as NASCAR and Nationwide.

"For years, we have been helping professional racers manage the risk that comes with the speed and adrenaline rush of their profession. The technology behind our race seats and products helps absorb the forces of multiple impacts and increase their chance of walking away from a crash," said Travis Cobb Partner at Bald Spot Sports. "We are excited to explore how we can bring this technology to protecting kids every day in real world situations."

The research is being conducted at DJG's new Dorel Technical Center for Child Safety located at its car seat manufacturing campus in Columbus, Indiana. The multi-million dollar facility centralizes all North American R&D and product development for car seats and other juvenile products. With the building of the Tech Center DJG is able to oversee and develop technology for quick and easy adaptation, thus getting advancements to the marketplace faster.

BSS is headquartered not far from the Technical Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

About Bald Spot

Bald Spot Sports [BSS] is headquartered in the suburbs of the racing capital of Indianapolis, Indiana. The company was founded in 2002 by racing veteran Glen Macdonald. BSS is actively engaged in the production of technologically superior racing seats for professional Auto-racers and private enthusiasts and continually works with independent labs to test innovative foam products.

Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) is a world class juvenile products and bicycle company.  Established in 1962, Dorel creates style and excitement in equal measure to safety, quality and value. The Company's lifestyle leadership position is pronounced in both its Juvenile and Bicycle categories with an array of trend-setting products.  Dorel's powerfully branded products include Safety 1st, Quinny, Cosco, Maxi-Cosi and Bebe Confort in Juvenile, as well as Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, IronHorse and SUGOI in Recreational/Leisure.  Dorel's Home Furnishings segment markets a wide assortment of furniture products, both domestically produced and imported.   Dorel is a US$2.3 billion company with 4700 employees, facilities in nineteen countries, and sales worldwide. 

SOURCE Dorel Juvenile Group

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