The Marena Group wins Apparel Magazine’s 2006/7 All Star award.

New York, NY and Atlanta, GA, January 17, 2007 - Israeli based OptiTex LTD, a leading provider of software for the textile and fashion industry, and The Marena Group of Lawrenceville GA, are pleased to announce that Marena has won the prestigious Grand All Star Award 2006/7 presented by Apparel Magazine at the magazine’s Tech Conference 2006 which was recently held at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City.

Over ten companies were nominated for the All Star award, which was presented to The Marena Group for demonstrating excellence in performance against all the criteria which are: (1) Innovation; (2) Excellence in Management; (3) A Strong Track Record of Growth; and (4) Corporate Goodwill that Reflects Positively on the Industry.

Bill Watkins, COO of The Marena Group, attributes the Group’s increase in productivity to their technology solutions that have automated workflow, increased speed and customized products. “Technological innovation is a huge part of our success,” Watkins points out. “The company is extremely fast in various ways that are important to our customers. For example, we are able to offer same-day shipping on all orders regardless of style, color or size without the need for huge inventories of products. Our delivery time on all orders is now less than a day! And, OptiTex software has been a key IT component in this strategic operational platform.” 

"The Marena Group breaks so many apparel paradigms; some readers may find it hard to imagine how their businesses could possibly emulate such an enterprise. But who is to say that The Marena Groups of the world won’t be the gold standard and not the exception to the rule five years from now?" says Kathleen DesMarteau, Editor in Chief for Apparel Magazine (www.apparelmag.com).

Yoram Burg, President of OptiTex USA adds, “This makes us very proud. The fact that The Marena Group is using OptiTex across the board just proves that excellent business skills need to be backed by excellent technology. We are extremely proud to have The Marena Group as a customer and are equally as proud of their having won the award.”

About OptiTex
Founded in 1988, OptiTex specializes in the development of innovative easy-to-operate 2D 3D CAD/CAM solutions for sewn products and other related industries. Our native Microsoft Windows based software packages for digitizing, pattern engineering, grading, marking, advanced automatic nesting and draping, are specifically designed to meet the needs of today's manufacturers of industrial fabrics, apparel, upholstery, transportation, composites, home furnishings, and other sewn products. OptiTex's open architecture system comes amply equipped with a multitude of import/export formats, enabling OptiTex users to interface with a wide range of software and hardware. OptiTex also offers the convenient option of purchasing a completely integrated CAD package, including OptiTex software solutions, digitizer, and pen or ink jet plotter. Available in 20 languages, OptiTex products are sold and supported around the world through certified distributors and OEMs.

About The Marena Group
Since 1994, The Marena Group, Inc., has designed, developed and manufactured the most comfortable, science-based, compression garments under its ComfortWear brand of products. ComfortWear can be found in thousands of physician’s offices, clinics and hospitals in 55 countries. Doctors specializing in plastic aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries, burns, OB/GYN, bariatrics, mesotherapy, sclerotherapy, and lymphedema prescribe Marena products to their patients. Marena’s worldwide customers appreciate its high-quality products, lightning-fast shipping and total performance guarantee.

Contacts:
OptiTex International
Mrs. Tania Fuchs
6 Ravnitzky St.
Petach-Tikva, 49221, Israel
Tel: +972-3-9049979
Fax: +972-3-9042710
optitex.int@optitex.com
www.optitex.com

Contacts:
The Marena Group
Mr. William B.C. Watkins
650 Progress Industrial Boulevard
Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043   USA
Tel: +770-822-6925
Direct: +678-990-1947
Fax: +770-822-1058
bill.watkins@marenagroup.com
www.marenagroup.com