SKYShades Expands to Charlotte in Franchise Agreement

Tension-Membrane Shade Structure Company Sees Continued Growth Despite Struggling Economy

Longwood, FL (Vocus) November 25, 2008 -- Recognizing the rapidly growing opportunities within the U.S. shade structure market, an investor in Charlotte, N.C., has become the latest to purchase a franchise from SKYShades (www.skyshades.com), an Orlando, Florida-based company recognized among the leaders in the tension-membrane shade industry.

Since becoming the first company in the industry to sell franchises a year ago, SKYShades has now sold eight franchises in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. In addition, the company is looking at several markets including Atlanta, Dallas, New Orleans, San Antonio and Columbia, S.C. for franchise expansion in the near future.

The Charlotte franchise is being purchased and operated by Peter Longfield, a Charlotte-based businessman who previously spent 26 years with Atotech USA Inc., working in research, technical services, sales and marketing. Most recently, he served as global product manager responsible for introducing new products to the market.

"From the first time I saw the SKYShades product I was excited about the possibilities," Longfield said. "Not only are the SKYShades products aesthetically pleasing, but they provide comfort and relief from the sun while also addressing the growing concern about sun exposure and melanoma for children."

"Americans are increasingly recognizing the need for shade and we estimate that the tension-membrane and shade structure industry could reach $1 billion here over the next six to eight years," said Joe McKenna, executive vice president of SKYShades. "SKYShades is an ideal business model for franchisees because we back our partners with the skills and expertise of the very best in the business.

"We are very pleased about the opportunity to bring SKYShades' products to the Charlotte market," McKenna added. "Peter Longfield is an experienced entrepreneur with a background in introducing new products to a market. I think the diversity of SKYShades' products will be attractive to his potential customers."

Charlotte will look to replicate the rapid success that has been seen by other SKYShades franchises over the last year. Southwest Florida is projecting to complete over $1 million of sales in its first year and franchises in South Florida, Houston, Arizona and Puerto Rico are also seeing growing interest and opportunities. Overall, SKYShades has seen a 25 percent increase in sales for 2008.

"The potential for SKYShades is unbelievable," says Dale Campion of SKYShades of Southwest Florida, serving Naples and the surrounding counties. "Even in our current economy, we are pushing $1 million for our first year of sales."

Among the elements driving interest in SKYShades and the tension-membrane industry is the announcement of an innovative product line designed not only to provide shade from the sun, but to produce clean and green power from it as well. Earlier this year, SKYShades announced a strategic partnership with Konarka Technologies Inc. (http://www.konarka.com/), an innovator in development and commercialization of Power Plastic®, a material that converts light to energy. The collaboration resulted in a prototype product, known as a Powerbrella™, which incorporates the lightweight Power Plastic® film onto the exterior of SKYShades' retractable SKYbrella.

Testing on the Powerbrella prototype has taken place throughout the past year in Orlando, Fla. with overwhelming success. The first five Powerbrella's will be available for purchase before the end of 2008 with full production scheduled for 2009. Already expressions of interest have been received from national chains of coffee outlets and hotel/resorts that recognize their unique capability to provide shade and at the same time allow clients the added benefit of being able to re-charge laptops, iPods, cell phones and other appliances while enjoying a 'coffee break.' Moreover, these national chains are driven by an awareness of the need to generate 'clean green' alternative energy sources.

Development is also underway on other applications of the combined technologies of SKYShades and Konarka, including covered car parking areas and car wash facilities where power captured by the Power Plastic® panels could be sold into the electrical grid. The use of this technology also serves to compensate companies for emission of greenhouse gases through the purchase and sale of carbon offsets.

Video presentations are also available for SKYShades (http://www.skyshades.com/skyshades_video.php), as well as a more in depth look at SKYShades Solar Initiatives (http://www.skyshades.com/solar_initiatives.php).

About SKYShades

Founded in Australia and recognized as a world leader in creating tension-membrane shade fabric structures, Orlando, Florida-based SKYShades is using cutting-edge technology to reduce sun exposure and develop clean green energy sources. The company is the first in its industry to offer franchise opportunities, and through a partnership with Konarka Technologies is incorporating thin-film solar energy cells into its shade structures utilizing a specially designed bonding process. SKYShades' visually attractive structures create an identity, increase revenue streams and offer an attractive and less expensive alternative to brick and mortar shading in applications from resorts, playgrounds and schools to malls and recreation spaces. For more information, visit www.skyshades.com. The Charlotte franchise can be reached directly at (803) 431-3922 or (704) 582-1259.

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