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NEW BALANCE ENTERS SKATE FOOTWEAR MARKET THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH BLACK BOX DISTRIBUTION AND CREATIVE DIRECTION BY WESTLIFE.

Boston, MA – December 10, 2012 – Boston-based New Balance announced today that it will enter the skate footwear market through a license agreement with Black Box Distribution of Carlsbad, CA. Branded as New Balance Numeric® or NB#® Black Box will produce and market performance footwear and apparel for skateboarding. New Balance Numeric will combine the unique requirements of skateboarders with New Balance’s heritage of product excellence through comfort, fit, quality and technical materials.

“New Balance is proud to partner with Black Box on the New Balance Numeric skate footwear initiative,” says Rob DeMartini, President & CEO at New Balance. “As one of the most authentic and talented skate companies in the industry, Black Box offers industry knowledge and a strong commitment to skate specialty retailers that matches well with our 107-year-old tradition of delivering technical design-forward performance products for athletes.”

“I have always found the heritage and integrity of New Balance inspirational, therefore it’s truly an honor for Black Box to partner with New Balance on the New Balance Numeric project,” says Jamie Thomas, Black Box company founder and professional skateboarder.

New Balance Numeric will officially debut at the Agenda Trade show in Long Beach, California on January 4th, 2013 where team announcements and additional marketing plans will be revealed. New Balance Numeric will be available in the U.S. and Canada starting in July 2013 through specialty skateboard and action sports retailers only.

For the creative direction and design of New Balance Numeric, Black Box has partnered with Los Angeles based Westlife Distribution, to ensure the collection will bring a distinct new perspective to the skateboarding market.

“The vision for New Balance Numeric is to bring something unique to skateboarding. We combine the East Coast heritage and supreme workmanship of New Balance with the West Coast lifestyle and culture of Skateboarding,” says Michael Akira West, President & CEO at Westlife Distribution.

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It’s been in the pipeline and talked about on internet messageboards for a while now, but it’s finally been made official that full throttle geggs-wearing lunatic Ben Raybourn is now part of the $lave Skateboards family. Not only is he now riding for $lave, he’s also their newest pro, with an all new pro video part coming out last night to seal the deal.

Shock yourself on then footage that awaits below, then head on over to the $lave site to check out a quick interview with Ben and have a look at his debut pro graphics.