Speidel Inc. will be the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Timex watchband replacements, servicing thousands of U.S. retail stores, starting Jan. 1, 2009, say both companies. The multi-year agreement was signed recently.

Timex looks at “all players in category and pick best partner,” Janet Goodrich, Timex licensing director, told JCK. Speidel was chosen, because “they have well-established relationships  with key retailers, and for their proven track record in design and strategic marketing.” The agreement covers replacement watchbands for all Timex watches, including Ironman.

“This is first license Speidel has taken in the watchband field, and expands our watch band market” said Fred Levinger, owner and chairman of Speidel Inc. The market for the Timex watchbands currently covers more than 6,000 outlets. Levenger said Speidel will seek to further expand that in the sports watch area.

Speidel also makes and supplies watch bands (including Twist-o-Flex Speidel Express) under its own brand name, but Levenger said “we won’t mix the brands. It will depend on the store and its preference.”

JCK