Bauer Hockey Corp. Reaches Settlement with Canada's Competition Bureau

Bauer RE-AKT ©

EXETER, NEW HAMPSHIRE--(Nov. 13, 2014) - Bauer Hockey Corp. is pleased to announce that it has reached a settlement to resolve an inquiry by Canada's Competition Bureau regarding certain aspects of its advertising for the BAUER RE-AKT Helmet, a model that represented less than 5 percent of Bauer Hockey's overall hockey helmet unit sales in Canada.

Given its disagreement with Bauer Hockey as to the adequacy of its testing, the Bureau requested that Bauer Hockey remove or modify certain existing performance claims in Canada regarding the RE-AKT helmet. In addition, Bauer Hockey has agreed to donate $500,000 worth of sports equipment to a Canadian charity over the course of five years.

Bauer Hockey has devoted significant resources into researching, developing and testing its helmets and the RE-AKT helmet meets all CSA and HECC standards. The Bureau, however, concluded that the testing commissioned and conducted by Bauer Hockey as a basis for certain performance claims related to the RE-AKT hockey helmet did not meet the standard of an "adequate and proper test," as required by Canada's Competition Act.

The Bureau did not conclude that Bauer's advertisements were false or misleading.

A relevant consideration for the Bureau in its evaluation of Bauer's testing of its RE-AKT helmet was the absence of an established injury threshold for concussions. The CSA is reportedly considering the adoption of a new standard for determining rotational shock absorbing capacity for hockey helmets.

"While we disagree with the Bureau's conclusions regarding the testing conducted by and on behalf of Bauer Hockey, we look forward to putting this matter behind us and continuing to provide our customers with the best products possible," said Rich Wuerthele, executive vice president, Bauer Hockey. "We hope that the Bureau's inquiry and conclusion raises awareness for the need to enhance current standardized testing protocols for helmets."

ABOUT BAUER HOCKEY

Bauer Hockey is the world's most recognized designer, marketer and manufacturer of hockey equipment. Founded in Kitchener, Ontario in 1927, Bauer Hockey developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. Since then, Bauer Hockey has continued to develop the most sought after products in the industry, including the widely successful SUPREME®, VAPOR® and NEXUS® lines of products.

For more information, visit Bauer Hockey's website at www.BAUER.com.

MEDIA INQUIRIES
Bauer Hockey / Tory Mazzola / Sr. Manager, Corporate Communications / 603-430-2111 / Media@Bauer.com

Source Bauer Hockey Marketwired through press release ©