UD Improves On-Time Delivery of Its Products through Summer and Holiday Periods

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Company remains focused on meeting delivery expectations of its customers


Carlsbad, CA – (January 9, 2008) – Upper Deck reaches out regularly to focus groups comprised of dealers and distributors to get a better understanding of what they need to be successful. A major source of frustration shared by hobby shop owners stems from delays and postponements to product release dates among all trading card manufacturers. Over the last six months in particular, Upper Deck has posted a stellar on-time delivery record which has helped to restore direct customer confidence in each of its brands.



Since late July, the company has released more than 40 sports card products on time with only two being delayed by just a week. The 2007 NFL Trilogy launch was delayed one week in order to increase the actual amount of live autograph content (and not exchange cards) found in the product. Additionally, 2007 MLB SP Authentic was delayed one week due to the October wild fires in Southern California that threatened the company’s facility.



“There are so many things that can cause products to be delayed in this industry,” said Jennifer Perrigo, Upper Deck’s director of Operations. “There are delays in receiving materials, autographs, packaging and there are a myriad of other problems that can come up during the manufacturing process. After hearing from our customers how important meeting our delivery dates was to them, we made a fundamental change in our production process. We are now identifying the pitfalls, shining a light on them and working together to quickly resolve them.”



“On time delivery while also reducing the number of autograph exchange cards in our product has become our top priority,” said Joe Fallon, director of Product Development at Upper Deck. “Key staff members involved in the production process are now meeting daily to help keep everything on track. This certainly has not been easy to accomplish, but it is important to our customers which makes it of the utmost importance to Upper Deck.”



About Upper Deck

Founded in 1988, Upper Deck is a premier global sports and entertainment-publishing company that delivers a robust portfolio of products for sports and entertainment collectors alike. For more information, visit The Upper Deck Company: Sports Trading Cards, Authentic Memorabilia, Sports Collectibles, & Entertainment Products or - Upper Deck Store.