Welcome to Slimma - British Branded Ladieswear

History

The brand name "Slimma" is believed to have been in existence since 1935, the name being a derivative of 'slim-mothers'. The business was started in London as a sub-contractor and supplied two products, ladies' trousers and skirts, primarily to independent ladies' shops.

The business moved to its present site in Barngate Street, Leek, in 1969. By 1970 pressure from Marks & Spencer for dedicated production and management resources led to the split of the business into two companies. These were Slimma (Wales) Limited, based in Cardigan and dedicated to supplying Marks & Spencer, and Slimma Limited, based in Leek to take all of the non Marks & Spencer activities of the Slimma branded range, including mail order accounts and multiple retailer accounts.

In 1977 the Slimma businesses were purchased by Tootal Group Limited and continued to operate independently within the Tootal Clothing Division.

In 1987 a full review of the Slimma Limited business, including market research, was undertaken by a team headed by Stephen Thwaite. This recommended the rationalisation and re-organisation of the business into two distinct, focused businesses, ie:

• A contract manufacturing business to service mail order and selected multiple retailers focusing on just two products, ie, ladies' trousers and skirts

• A branded business focusing on supplying ladieswear ranges to independent shops.

The team's recommendations were accepted and during 1987, the Slimma Limited business was re-organised into two businesses named Tootal Apparel and Tootal Fashion, trading as separate units.

In 1991 Tootal was taken over by Coats Viyella plc and, in October 1991, a management team led by Stephen Thwaite bought the two divisions of Tootal Apparel and Tootal Fashion and, with them, the "Slimma" brand name.

The MBO vehicle was renamed Slimma Limited and the two divisions were renamed Slimma Contract and Slimma Fashion.

In February of 1994, the Company successfully gained a full listing on the London Stock Exchange and became a fully quoted PLC.

In 1996, Slimma plc acquired the Ladieswear Division of Rammon Group, which was renamed and formed the Slimma Design division until the division was merged with the Slimma Contract Division in January 2003.

On 12 March 2001, it was announced to the Stock Exchange that Slimma plc had acquired the business and certain assets of Frank Usher Limited. The business had offices in London, and a showroom on Grosvenor Street in London and formed a separate division within Slimma plc known as the Frank Usher Group.

On 13 December 2002, Slimma completed the acquisition of Peter Martin, a brand specialising in smart daywear to occasionwear for women. The brand augmented Slimma's existing range of branded clothing lines.

In July 2005 the Slimma Fashion Division was renamed the Peter Martin Group and also successfully augmented its brand portfolio of the Slimma Collection, Pastiche and Peter Martin with the acquisition of the American dress brand, Cattiva.

The Company was also pleased to announce the acquisition of the Beau Bra lingerie and lounge wear brand in July 2005, which was an excellent addition to the Frank Usher Group brand portfolio which by then comprised Frank Usher, Dusk, Coterie, Quintesse and Beau Bra.

In October 2005, the Company announced its intention to propose its cancellation of its listing on the Official List and apply for admission to AIM as an EGM on 30 November 2005. The Company's shares began trading on AIM on 4 January 2006.

On 2nd November 2005, Non-Executive Chairman, Alan Webb, and Non-Executive Director, George Shiels, retired after 11 years' service. Carolyn Simons was appointed the new Non-Executive Chairman on that date.

On 14th September 2006 the Company was pleased to announce the acquisition of the Splendour lingerie brand. Splendour specialises in glamorous lingerie for special occasions and its customers include well known store groups and independent shops. Employees responsible for the sales, marketing and design of the Splendour brand joined Slimma following the acquisition, and are based at the Frank Usher Group headquarters in London. Splendour now forms a division of Slimma.

	History The brand name "Slimma" is believed to have been in existence since 1935, the name being a derivative of 'slim-mothers'. The business was started in London as a sub-contractor and supplied two products, ladies' trousers and skirts, primarily to independent ladies' shops. The business moved to its present site in Barngate Street, Leek, in 1969. By 1970 pressure from Marks & Spencer for dedicated production and management resources led to the split of the business into two companies. These were Slimma (Wales) Limited, based in Cardigan and dedicated to supplying Marks & Spencer, and Slimma Limited, based in Leek to take all of the non Marks & Spencer activities of the Slimma branded range, including mail order accounts and multiple retailer accounts. In 1977 the Slimma businesses were purchased by Tootal Group Limited and continued to operate independently within the Tootal Clothing Division. In 1987 a full review of the Slimma Limited business, including market research, was undertaken by a team headed by Stephen Thwaite. This recommended the rationalisation and re-organisation of the business into two distinct, focused businesses, ie: • A contract manufacturing business to service mail order and selected multiple retailers focusing on just two products, ie, ladies' trousers and skirts • A branded business focusing on supplying ladieswear ranges to independent shops. The team's recommendations were accepted and during 1987, the Slimma Limited business was re-organised into two businesses named Tootal Apparel and Tootal Fashion, trading as separate units. In 1991 Tootal was taken over by Coats Viyella plc and, in October 1991, a management team led by Stephen Thwaite bought the two divisions of Tootal Apparel and Tootal Fashion and, with them, the "Slimma" brand name. The MBO vehicle was renamed Slimma Limited and the two divisions were renamed Slimma Contract and Slimma Fashion. In February of 1994, the Company successfully gained a full listing on the London Stock Exchange and became a fully quoted PLC. In 1996, Slimma plc acquired the Ladieswear Division of Rammon Group, which was renamed and formed the Slimma Design division until the division was merged with the Slimma Contract Division in January 2003. On 12 March 2001, it was announced to the Stock Exchange that Slimma plc had acquired the business and certain assets of Frank Usher Limited. The business had offices in London, and a showroom on Grosvenor Street in London and formed a separate division within Slimma plc known as the Frank Usher Group. On 13 December 2002, Slimma completed the acquisition of Peter Martin, a brand specialising in smart daywear to occasionwear for women. The brand augmented Slimma's existing range of branded clothing lines. In July 2005 the Slimma Fashion Division was renamed the Peter Martin Group and also successfully augmented its brand portfolio of the Slimma Collection, Pastiche and Peter Martin with the acquisition of the American dress brand, Cattiva. The Company was also pleased to announce the acquisition of the Beau Bra lingerie and lounge wear brand in July 2005, which was an excellent addition to the Frank Usher Group brand portfolio which by then comprised Frank Usher, Dusk, Coterie, Quintesse and Beau Bra. In October 2005, the Company announced its intention to propose its cancellation of its listing on the Official List and apply for admission to AIM as an EGM on 30 November 2005. The Company's shares began trading on AIM on 4 January 2006. On 2nd November 2005, Non-Executive Chairman, Alan Webb, and Non-Executive Director, George Shiels, retired after 11 years' service. Carolyn Simons was appointed the new Non-Executive Chairman on that date. On 14th September 2006 the Company was pleased to announce the acquisition of the Splendour lingerie brand. Splendour specialises in glamorous lingerie for special occasions and its customers include well known store groups and independent shops. Employees responsible for the sales, marketing and design of the Splendour brand joined Slimma following the acquisition, and are based at the Frank Usher Group headquarters in London. Splendour now forms a division of Slimma.

Registered in England: 2645724 Registered Office: Slimma House, Barngate Street, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 8AR VAT No: GB5923601 38 All information is being disclosed in accordance with Rule 26.