Eight new businesses added to the Vancouver 2010 licensee program

Aug 14, 2008

Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is pleased to welcome eight new companies to its Official Licensee Program. The licensees will develop and sell products bearing Vancouver 2010 emblems and the Olympic and Paralympic brands.

The licensees include:

• Blade Pro Products Inc. (Hockey Blade Tape), Vancouver, BC
• Cryopak Industries (2007) ULC (Reusable Hot/Cold Gel Packs), Delta, BC
• Dale of Norway (Knitted Wool Sweaters), Markham, ON
• L.B Maple Treat (Maple Syrup), Vancouver, BC
• Overland Models, Inc (Model Locomotives), Muncie, IN
• Purdy’s–Rogers’ Partnership (Boxed Chocolates), Vancouver/Victoria, BC
• Rocky Mountain Down and Feather (Housewares), Burnaby, BC
• Sandylion Inc. (Office and School Supplies), Markham, ON

“We’re very pleased to have such a wide range of businesses who are leaders in their fields come on board with us as we move ever closer towards 2010,” said Dennis Kim, VANOC’s director of licensing and merchandising. “There’s no question that consumers connect to the 2010 brand, and clearly the businesses who have partnered with us recognize the high value in the association with us. The licensee program has seen extremely healthy results to date and sales have been very strong. We look forward to building mutually beneficial partnerships with these companies.”

In addition to 400 Hbc stores, currently more than 1,100 retail stores across Canada carry officially licensed Vancouver 2010 merchandise. To date, 38 companies have signed on to VANOC’s Official Licensee Program.

The sale of Vancouver 2010 official licensed products contributes directly to Games revenues which support the financing and staging of the 2010 Winter Games. Merchandise developed by the new licensees is expected to be in stores beginning in fall 2008.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com for more information.

Blade Pro Products Inc.
Blade Pro Products Inc. is the manufacturer of a value-added hockey tape for both ice hockey and inline hockey players. The company’s flagship product, BladeTape, is an alternative to cloth-based hockey tape. BladeTape is durable, easier to apply, and gives users a better grip on the puck which helps improve stick-handling.

Cryopak Industries (2007) ULC
With facilities in Vancouver and Montreal, Cryopak is a leading provider of temperature-controlling products and solutions serving fine North American retailers and consumer goods companies. Cryopak develops, manufactures and sells reusable ice substitutes, flexible hot and cold compresses, reusable gel ice and instant hot and cold packs.

Dale of Norway
Dale of Norway is one of Europe's leading knitwear companies, established in 1879 on the West coast of Norway. All designs are done in-house by Dale of Norway's team of Norwegian designers which ensures complete control with the entire design and manufacturing process.
The focus on sustainability is also found in Dale's goal to support the environment as all power needs are supplied by local non-polluting hydro power.

L.B. Maple Treat
L.B. Maple Treat has been in the maple syrup business for over 25 years, producing high quality maple syrup with no chemical additives or preservatives. L.B. Maple Treat’s farm is the largest independent maple farm in the world consisting of over 1,200 acres with over 100,000 trees tapped.

Overland Models, Inc.
Overland Models, Inc. has been a premier importer of fine brass scale model railroad equipment in HO, N, O and S scales for over 32 years. Their models are handcrafted scale replicas of North American prototypes produced by some of the world’s foremost manufacturers of detailed brass models.

Purdy’s – Rogers’ Partnership
Rogers’ and Purdy’s formed a unique partnership exclusively for the 2010 Winter Games and will act as co-licensees with VANOC in the retailing, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of fine boxed chocolates.

Located in Vancouver, B.C., Purdy’s Chocolates are made using the finest ingredients from around the world including chocolate from Belgium, ginger from Australia, cashews from India, and dairy products delivered fresh daily from farms across Western Canada.
Rogers’ Chocolates was founded in Victoria, BC in 1885 by Charles "Candy" Rogers. With 13 retail locations in British Columbia, hundreds of retail partners across Canada and thousands of mail-order customers from over 70 different countries, Rogers’ Chocolates will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2010.

Rocky Mountain Down & Feather
Rocky Mountain Down & Feather (RMDF) – an employer of more than 30 people – is a Burnaby- based manufacturer and wholesale company that has been in business since 1997.
RMDF locally manufactures down duvets, feather and synthetic pillows and wholesales various bedding and houseware products to many of Canada’s major retailers. RMDF is a proud member of the Canadian Down & Feather Association.

Sandylion Inc.
Sandylion Sticker Designs is a world leader in the design, development and marketing of novelty stickers and related stationery, scrapbooking and home decor products, featuring its own branded and licensed varieties. These products are enjoyed by kids of all ages.

ContactVANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com