INNOVATIVE ADDITION TO ORIGINAL PAWLEYS ISLAND HAMMOCK LINE WILL FEATURE AF&Y YARN.

Press Contact:
John Avant 919-676-4115 (john.avant@avant.com)

Chapel Hill, NC (Oct. 13, 2003) - The HammockSource, manufacturer of The Original Pawleys Island Rope Hammock and Hatteras Hammocks, has partnered with American Fibers and Yarns Company (AF&Y) to develop an innovative line of hammocks to be sold at retail in the spring season, 2004. The yarn supplied by AF&Y utilizes a proprietary technology that allows a synthetic yarn to offer the appearance and soft feel of cotton while maintaining superior outdoor durability and solution-dyed color-fastness.

The AF&Y yarn will be used to construct DuraCord®, a rope hammock exclusively available from The HammockSource. DuraCord rope has the look and feel of cotton but provides brighter, fade-resistant colors. DuraCord's ultra-violet (UV) protection package far exceeds the lightfastness of cotton and polyester products currently on the market. The rope is also stain resistant and dries faster than standard cotton or polyester. Additionally, DuraCord will not sustain any mold or mildew growth and can be cleaned with a bleach solution.

"Working with American Fibers and Yarns has helped us maintain our competitive edge," said J.A. Branch, president, The HammockSource. "This innovative and proprietary product provides important customer benefits and will help ensure that Hatteras Hammocks and The Original Pawleys Island Hammock remain the premier names in quality hand-woven rope hammocks."

The synthetic yarns used as building blocks for the DuraCord rope were developed by the Technology Center at AF&Y. "In recent years we have invested heavily in technology," said Michael Apperson, AF&Y president and CEO, "and this announcement is another validation of our business strategy. Our goal is to be successful by providing unique yarns to our customers so they can profitably expand the product lines they offer to their markets."

Apperson noted that the AF&Y technologies being utilized by The HammockSource can be adapted for a number of other outdoor uses, including umbrellas, cushions, cabanas, tents, boat covers and other applications that could benefit from brilliant, non-fading colors.

About Polisilk
Begun in 1820 by Francisco Ponsa and his wife, Teresa Casajuana, the company introduced its first polypropylene yarn in 1972. The name was changed to Polisilk in 1978, as the company dedicated itself exclusively to the development and production of synthetic yarns. Based in northern Spain with excellent access to European markets, Polisilk has broad experience in the manufacture of most polypropylene yarns and has grown to become one of the leading synthetic filament extruders in Europe. Polisilk is still owned and operated by descendants of the founders.

About The HammockSource
The HammockSource, manufacturer of Hatteras Hammocks and The Original Pawleys Island Rope Hammock, is headquartered in Greenville, N.C. with dealers throughout the U.S. as well as in countries around the world. A variety of DuraCord products will be available in both lines beginning in 2004.