Salt Lake City, Utah, Aug. 6 -- Chisco, manufacturer of THE BANDÆ, "The Original Action Sports Watchband," is bringing innovation and excitement back to the industry with two new introductions -- a hemp watchband and a faster drying watchband for water enthusiasts using woven mesh fabric.

Both will be showcased at the 1998 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City, Aug. 13-16.

"Our new hemp watchband may become one of our hottest selling because the fabric has so many remarkable qualities," said Beirne Chisolm, co-founder and president of Chisco. "Environmentally, it's grown without pesticides or fertilizers and is several times stronger than cotton."

"We also believe this new product will find appeal beyond our traditional customer base to those who are looking for smart, trendy and attractive watchband wear," Chisolm said.

Hemp yarns and fabrics are taking America by storm and are being used in the apparel, accessories, rug and footwear industries. Besides the strength factor, hemp is known to be softer, warmer and more water-resistant than cotton. Hemp can be grown in nearly every climate but is banned in the United States. Chisco is importing its hemp supply from China.

For nearly 12 years, Chisco has manufactured THE BANDÆ sports watchband using a unique combination of VelcroÆ brand hook and loop fastener and polypropylene webbing. While Chisco will continue to use this combination in its watchband line, currently available in eight separate collections, for the first time it will introduce a new watchband using a woven mesh fabric that dries faster than polypropylene. Woven mesh has all of the characteristics of polypropylene as well, but has a greater ability to shed water.

Gregg Chisolm, co-founder and vice president of Chisco, said this new woven mesh fabric watchband "will have particular appeal to water enthusiasts such as scuba divers, kayakers, wind and surf boarders, and personal water craft users."

Both watchbands will be manufactured in two sizes: Standard, fits æ" pins, I" wide and 9" long; and Small - fits 5/8" pins, 1" wide and 9" long.

These products can be ordered now and will be ready for shipment September 15, 1998.

Chisco is a Salt Lake City-based company established in 1988 by Beirne and Gregg Chisolm, two brothers from Rye, N.Y., who settled in Utah to attend college and enjoy skiing. Because of their love of outdoor sports, especially skiing and wind surfing, Beirne and Gregg first developed THE BANDÆ, a watchband that would survive rigorous use, especially water sports, and prevent the watch from being lost, even if the watch pin broke. That product, which became successful worldwide, was followed by a line of sports accessories that include bi-fold and tri-fold wallets for men and a checkbook/wallet organizer for women, keychains, belts, a shoe pocket, neck wallet, and dog collars and leashes. Chisco products are sold all across the United States and in many foreign countries around the globe.