New Ashaway ZyWeaVeTM Technology Produces Lightest, Strongest Badminton Strings

ZyWeaVeTM technology allows Ashaway to produce a string that is 25% lighter than standard 0.70mm badminton strings. The company plans to introduce a new line of strings using the new technology under the brand name ZyMaxTM.

Less Elongation And Creep Help Maintain Tension And Repulsion Power

Ashaway, RI - Ashaway Racket Strings has developed a new core construction technique that allows the production of lighter, stronger badminton strings than any yet produced. ZyWeaVe^TM technology allows Ashaway to produce a string that is 25% lighter than standard 0.70mm badminton strings. The company plans to introduce a new line of strings using the new technology under the brand name ZyMax^®.

"Professional players like lighter strings in their racquet heads for more power on smashes and better feel and control on touch shots," said Steve Crandall, Vice President of Marketing for Ashaway. "Early play testing of the new line has been very positive, and one player, Ruilin Huang, even won the 2009 US Open Ladies Doubles Championship using one of our new ZyMax strings."

Using a combination of high-tech materials and their proprietary ZyWeaVe core, the new Ashaway strings produce less elongation at professional stringing tensions and less creep. This means the strings maintain tension and consistent maximum performance throughout their playing life. In addition, ZyWeaVe technology allows Ashaway to make a string that can be strung at unusually high tensions.

"We've been able to string a ZyMax .70mm gauge string at over 40 lbs. using special high tension racquets," said Crandall. "You can tell the string is maintaining tension and repulsion power by the nice crisp "ping" sound it makes when you strike the shuttle."

Crandall did not disclose details of the new ZyMax string line, but indicated it would consist of several gauge models and would be rolled out during the late summer and early fall of 2009. And he added, "With this technology, we're confident we can produce the lightest and strongest badminton strings ever made."

Ashaway Racket Strings are made by Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co., the only U.S. manufacturer of string for squash, tennis, racquetball, and badminton. Operated by the Crandall family since 1824, Ashaway has been making racket strings since 1949, and is responsible for several important technical innovations. Ashaway is the Official String of USA Racquetball, the International Racquetball Tour, the Professional Squash Association and the Women's International Squash Players Association. Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co. also makes braided products for medical and industrial applications.