Latest news from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ

15 Oct 2013

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ graduate company Zone3 expands worldwide

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ graduate company Zone3 has already made an impressive name for itself in the UK and is now venturing overseas to new markets.

The established sports brand which produces a range of wetsuits, triathlon clothing, swimwear and accessories hopes to establish a reputation worldwide to match its UK status. Having achieved a turnover of £1 million this year, Zone3 is looking to expand and has opened bases across Europe, Australasia, South Africa and the US.

Founder James Lock first realised the potential for a British triathlon brand whilst studying Architectural Engineering and Design Management at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. Being an elite triathlete, he identified a gap in the market for a high performance, better fitting product that would help improve speed and comfort.

Following two years of extensive research, Zone3 was born in 2009 and since then has become a recognised triathlon brand nationwide. GQ magazine described one of their recent wetsuit designs as ‘the greatest aquatic miracle since Moses’ and the brand continues to be rated extremely highly by experts in the industry.

James said: "A lot of the success of Zone3 was down to making sure the products were as good as they could possibly be before starting the sales and marketing process."

The range caters for first time triathletes as well as world champions. The Aspire wetsuit has won more best value and 10/10 ratings than any other brand and the Advance wetsuit won the Best Buy award in this year's 220 Triathlon magazine trials – further establishing Zone3’s reputation for offering competitive prices and high-quality products.

The University’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Enterprise, Professor Steve Rothberg, said: “We are extremely proud of James’s business achievements, and Zone3’s overseas expansion is a tribute to his hard work. We wish him every success.”

Zone3 is featured in º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’s Inspiring Graduates campaign which hopes to inspire students and graduates to follow their entrepreneurial dreams.

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Notes for editors

Article reference number: PR 13/191

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It was awarded the coveted Sunday Times University of the Year 2008-09 title, and is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in national newspaper league tables. It has been voted England's Best Student Experience for six years running in the Times Higher Education league, and in recognition of its contribution to the sector, the University has been awarded six Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

It is a member of the 1994 Group of 11 leading research-intensive universities. The Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in university research and teaching. Each member undertakes diverse and high-quality research, while ensuring excellent levels of teaching and student experience.

Contact for all media enquiries

Alex Pycock
Marketing Assistant
Enterprise Office
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ
T: 01509 222831
E: A.Pycock@lboro.ac.uk