There are many considerations to the timing of the release of suits in overseas markets, particularly south of the Equator. For instance, we are realeasing the Element and Kodiak in about a week, when it is the Spring and the beginning of the dive season here, but it is the Fall and the end of the dive season in Australia.
US dealers are now increasing inventory levels and looking for new items to sell as the weather heats up, but at this moment, Australian dealers are looking to balance out and even reduce inventory levels to prepare for slower winter months.
Also, we sometimes alter products slightly to suit the traditional needs and desires of local marketplaces. For instance, we make some suits in sizes for the Japanese market that we do not offer in America to suit the predominant body sizes and shapes there.
We actually have been selling a slightly altered version of the Kodiak in Australia for a little while now, and the Element will follow shortly.
Because of that, we leave it to our Australian distribution office to determine the product mix and the release date of new products in their area. In this case, it will be very similar, but that is not always the case.
