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Quick fix for hockey sticks

Port Alberni firm uses aerospace technology to repair composites

A Vancouver Island idea - born of hockey player exasperation and a lifetime of manufacturing expertise - appears to have found fertile ground across hockey mad Canada, and has set its sights far beyond this country's borders.

What had been a small business started by Randy Langille repairing composite hockey sticks in 2009 has quickly grown into a chain of 23 locations that now reach from home base in Port Alberni to St. John's Newfoundland.

"And we are expanding into the U.S. as we speak," said founder and CEO Langille, noting a franchise agreement has just been sent to Boston. "And we hope to be in the European market next year."

By the end of 2012, Langille said Integral Hockey, which adopted processes and tools used in the manufacture of aerospace components to repair composite hockey sticks, could have as many as 33 locations in Canada and 30 in the U.S.

Langille admitted it is a bit overwhelming to consider the growth when he steps back from the business started off the side of his workbench at R&R Boat Refit and Repair.

But if the explosive growth of the firm comes as a surprise - the first franchise was established in January 2011 - Langille said scaling up was always in the cards.

"At the beginning, once we had feedback on the service from Junior A [hockey players] we couldn't just go small scale. We had to push it to its full potential or we'd be doing the sport a disservice," he said. "Everyone has to have access to this."

Langille said the driver behind the business is saving people money. "It's a mission to reduce costs, help parents save money and that will hopefully drive registration numbers in minor hockey," he said.

It can't hurt. One-piece composite sticks made of carbon-fibre layers have been all the rage at all levels of hockey for years and they can come with pric-etags of more than $300.

And while the stocks are durable, they do break - often in the shaft.

Integral Hockey's process keeps that stick from going to the landfill and helps cut down the hockey budget.

Langille said his system is not the first and is unlikely to be the last to come onto the market. But he said his system makes all the difference. Victoria boasts both a Stickfix franchise and a company called Pro Stick Repair offering similar services.

"It was literally a 3 a.m. brainstorm," said Langille. "I realized if I modified one of the processes we used [in aerospace to manufacture engine cowlings and wingtip enforcements] it would fit into a hockey stick allowing internal repair and therefore a hollow carbon fibre repair instead of a plug system which is more common.

"That's the trick with us, a hollow composite repair system that allows the stick to flex through the repair," Langille said. He noted it adds little weight to the stick and allows it to retain its original performance characteristics like flex, balance and kick point.

"No one else does it. We're not pouring epoxy down a shaft or doing an external repair that can leave a small bump on the outside of the shaft," he said.

Langille said the epoxy option often uses a carbon fibre insert and foam core that can throw off the stick's balance.

Langille worked on the process with both the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the B.C. Hockey League and the Olds Grizzlies of the Alberta Junior Hockey League to perfect the system, and some of those players have used the repaired sticks in league and playoff games.

The endorsement at that level of the game may also be driving would-be franchisees, who pay $15,000 to be part of the network.

That price, and a percentage of sales, gives the franchisee territory and the patent-pending system, including the tools, apparatus and jigs that are manufactured specifically for the system. Integral Hockey suggests a repair price of between $45 and $65 per stick.

SMALL BUSINESS MONTH EVENTS

? Today: A joint mixer with the Westshore Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Victoria at the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort (1999 Country Club Way); 5-7 p.m. Contact Julie Urquhart 250-478-1130

? Today: Peninsula Chamber of Commerce business-after-business mixer, Oceanside RV Resort (3000 Stautw Road); 5-7 p.m. RSVP to info@peninsulachamber.ca or call 250-656-3616

? Thursday: Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce marketplace mixer, 4-7 p.m., Harbour Towers Hotel (345 Quebec St.) To register, call 250-383-7191 or register at victoriachamber.ca

? Oct. 24: Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce speed networking session at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1040 Moss St.) for people who don't have a lot of time but want to meet new business contacts. Tickets are $40 for members and $65 for non-members. Pre-registration is required at victoriachamber.ca.