Alvanon Collaborates with ASTM to Develop New Children's Industry Standards.

For the First Time, ASTM Utilizes Actual Body Scans to Update Industry Standards; Alvanon Develops Customized Mannequins to Mirror New Industry Standards

NEW YORK -- Alvanon, the global size and fit expert, today announced its customized children's AlvaForm mannequins will be depicted in the 2007 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, to help the industry visualize the updated, more realistic standards for infants and children's body measurements. In addition, manufacturers and designers will also be able to purchase these forms at www.alvanon.com to ensure fit compliance to the new standards throughout their design, product development and sourcing processes.

For the first time in ASTM history, the new standards are based on independent, empirical evidence from body scans to complement the expertise of industry fit experts. Alvanon contributed data from its scan database of over 200,000 people, and interpreted it in conjunction with data from the Center for Disease Control, the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Institute of Health. Alvanon's interpretation and contribution helped guide the ASTM Children's Measurement Subcommittee as it developed the most realistic and validated standard for children's body measurements ever.

The new children's clothing standards were developed under the jurisdiction of ASTM Subcommittee D13.55, led by Jo Bradford, Pattern Engineering Manager, Nordstrom, Dennis Berry, CAD Technical Specialist, Levi's and Susan Sisk, Director of Technical Design, Sears, in collaboration with Alvanon's Director of Strategic Services, Ed Gribbin and Alvanon's Managing Director, Jason Wang.

This team of experts leveraged Alvanon's empirical database of body scans along with additional government and industry data to identify today's most common children's shapes and define the new ASTM standards.

"ASTM sets the standard in the apparel industry for sizing and fit," said Janice Wang, Chief Executive Officer, Alvanon. "Nearly everyone in the industry looks to ASTM for validation and guidance in developing their fit specifications and grade rules. It is an honor to collaborate with such experts in the field to create specifications based on both concrete data and expert interpretation. Combining our expertise allowed us to provide the apparel industry with physical manifestations of the ASTM standards through our customized AlvaForm mannequins."

While creating the new standards, Alvanon presented the subcommittee with numerous iterations of virtual bodies and 3-D images and then worked with the team to measure correct posture, stance, shape, specifications, body proportions and grade rules for the complete range of infants and children's sizes.

Approved standards include infant "Preemie" to 24 Months; Girls Sizes 2 to 20; and Boys Sizes 2 to 20. In addition, supplements to the standards for Slim Boys and Girls, Husky Boys and Plus Girls are currently being developed by the subcommittee.

"Leveraging empirical data through the use of the body scans represents a significant milestone for ASTM methodology," said Ed Gribbin, Director of Strategic Services, Alvanon. "ASTM and Alvanon are both committed to providing manufacturers and designers the tools necessary to ensure quality, improve service and obtain a better fit. Offering a physical manifestation of the new ASTM standards through Alvanon's customized mannequins enables the apparel industry to improve fit for children by tailoring their products more directly to the actual sizes of their customers."

The newly revised ASTM standards for children's sizes have been approved for Infant - D4910; Boy/Girl - D5826, Boy - D6458 and Girl - D6192 standards are currently under development and will be approved by the ASTM committee shortly.

As the global leader in providing full service, integrated fit solutions for the apparel industry, Alvanon leveraged its holistic approach when working ASTM to evaluate the new children's standards. Leveraging the new standards, Alvanon is bringing both strategic consulting and practical tools to resolve the issues of fit and sizing. These solutions will positively affect the bottom line of apparel brands and retailers in terms of markdowns, returns and exchanges.

The new standards are now available online at www.astm.org and Alvanon's customized mannequins are available at www.alvanon.com.

About Alvanon

Alvanon is the global leader in providing full service, integrated fit solutions for the apparel industry. The company's holistic approach to the issues of fit and sizing encompasses both strategic consulting as well as practical tools. Alvanon's integrated fit platform is a unique industry solution that leverages and combines the world's largest database of body scan research with real world industry experience and innovative proprietary technology. Dr. Kenneth Wang founded Alvanon in 2001 to address the prevalent fit related misconceptions and developed a solution that would revolutionize the way the industry perceived the concept of fit. Alvanon's suite of products and services integrate seamlessly with every stage of the production process, helping to increase internal and external process efficiency and decrease overall time to market. For more information, please visit www.alvanon.com.

About ASTM International 

ASTM International is the largest voluntary standards development organization in the world and a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Known for their high technical quality and market relevancy, ASTM International standards have an important role in the information infrastructure that guides design, manufacturing and trade in the global economy. Standards developed at ASTM are the work of over 30,000 ASTM members. These technical experts represent producers, users, consumers, government and academia from over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.astm.org.