Tropitone Partners with Skyspan Pacific

NEWS RELEASE

TROPITONE PARTNERS WITH SKYSPAN PACIFIC TO OFFER CONTRACT CUSTOMERS IN THE U.S. AND THE CARIBBEAN A SINGLE SOURCE AND EXPANDED SELECTION OF DISTINCTIVELY ENGINEERED AND UNIQUELY FUNCTIONAL TENSION FABRIC SHADE STRUCTURES

Irvine, Calif., May 1 2003 - Tropitone Furniture Co., Inc. , a leading manufacturer of fine casual furniture sold under the Tropitone, Basta Sole and Veneman trademarks, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Australia-based Skyspan Pacific to market and sell the Skyspan semi-permanent, anchored shade structures as part of the Basta Sole product line.

According to Mike Echolds, chief executive officer of Tropitone, the agreement with Skyspan continues the Basta Sole tradition of exploring new visions in umbrella and shade designs, which feature innovative architectural forms and unparalleled functionality. "We are excited to align with Skyspan to pursue new market opportunities for these aesthetically appealing tension fabric structures which can withstand wind ratings over 70 mph but simultaneously have clean and elegant lines" Echolds said.

Mike Gompertz, who originated the concept of the now famous wooden 'market umbrella' in the U.S. and introduced it to the casual furniture marketplace in 1983 as the Basta Sole brand, oversees design and marketing of shade products at Basta Sole.

"Skyspan -- like Basta Sole -- is a pioneer committed to innovation with a willingness to venture beyond the ordinary - beyond habit. With the addition of the Skyspan shade structures, Basta Sole is now a single source solution for contract customers seeking umbrellas and shade structures set apart by their architectural ingenuity, high-quality construction, and ease of installation and maintenance," Gompertz said.

Skyspan's spacious and sophisticated designs, which provide shelter not only from the sun -- but the wind and rain also -- are ideal for hotel and resort pool side areas and beaches, sports and recreational centers, automobile dealerships,. colleges and universities, corporate and industrial campuses, entertainment and theme parks, and franchise chains. Skyspan shade structures are also suitable for facilities managed primarily by municipalities such as parks, convention centers, museums, stadiums, airports and amphitheaters. Because they are engineered to stand up to the elements year in and year out, the Skyspan shade structures are practical even in coastal areas where the marine salt environment as well as harsh winds can take their toll.

Basta Sole initially will market Skyspan shade structures in models that include the following sizes: 10 ft-square 14 ft-square 17 ft-hexagon. The square Skyspan shade structures can be linked together to form one large expansive covered area. Electrical cabling, if necessary for lighting, is hidden from sight as is all other mechanical cabling.