KMHA drops prices

From The Daily News of Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 . . .

Attention shoppers: It’s a minor hockey apparel rollback.
Prices on the association’s website have dropped after two city businessmen complained publicly about lack of tendering for a Kamloops Minor Hockey Association apparel contract.
A Canada Sportswear adult tracksuit, quoted as a comparison in a Daily News story Thursday, has dropped by 15 per cent, as listed on the association’s website. The team apparel on the website is offered by Kamloops Embroidery, through an exclusive deal with the association.
But one of the local businessmen who cried foul about the association’s lack of open tendering said Friday he’s ignoring the contract and appealing directly to parents.
An association spokesman and a board member contacted about the contract this week deferred questions about tendering to president Jason Perris. The president declined comment Wednesday and could not be reached Friday.
Perris distributed an e-mail to league managers and directors defending the choice of Kamloops Embroidery. He suggested competing companies, and league sponsors, LN Group and Designs in Thread were not aggressive and didn’t seek a deal until it was too late.
The association did not advertise for the contract to be filled.
“How can he say he’s getting the best price and service?” asked Todd Reutlinger, owner of LN Group. “Can he honestly say to parents buying track suits they’re getting the best price?”
The deal with Kamloops Embroidery appears to give it exclusive rights to the association’s logo for use on team wear. Hockey managers can get track suits and hats elsewhere but must deal with Kamloops Embroidery to use the association logo.
But Reutlinger said the company he merged with several years ago designed the KMHA logo and never sold the rights.
Reutlinger said he consulted a lawyer and was told he is able to use the logo to offer to Kamloops minor hockey teams.
“We will use it if teams ask us to put it on.”