Hall of Fame QB Kelly teams with Erie company to produce branded product

Source: Erie Times-News, Pa.迷你倉Dec. 11--NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly has turned to a Harborcreek Township company to produce a multipurpose clip bearing sports team logos. It's an idea he dreamed up while searching for an alternative to rubber bands for holding cash in his pocket.Kelly, who starred for the Buffalo Bills, visited Port Erie Plastics, 909 Troupe Road, Tuesday morning to announce the deal with his startup company, MyFanClip. Kelly previously used a company in China but was dissatisfied with the quality control, production quotas and the delay in receiving products from overseas.Port Erie Plastics, founded in 1953, specializes in custom injection molds. Company President John Johnson, an avid Bills fan, said landing the deal "is extremely fun" for him personally, adding "it also shows what innovative American companies can to do win back business from Asia."Port Erie Plastics invested about $250,000 in digital printing equipment and initial setup costs to produce the clips, which can be used to hold papers, binders, money or to close snack bags, Kelly said.MyFanClip has licensing agreements with the NFL, Major Le文件倉gue Baseball, the NCAA, NASCAR and Duck Commander. Kelly also plans to market the clips to high schools for fundraising activities.A portion of proceeds benefits Hunter's Hope, the foundation Kelly established after his infant son was diagnosed with Krabbe Leukodystrophy, a degenerative nervous system disorder. Hunter Kelly died in 1995 at age 8."We were introduced to (Port Erie Plastics) by someone who knew someone, and what a great relationship it's been," Kelly said. "You've got to have quality people, and you've got to have people you can trust and who have the same vision as you do. When it has my name on it, and has my son's foundation on it ... I wanted people I could call on the phone and work out a deal."Kelly said MyFanClip has retail agreements with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Wegmans, Tops Friendly Markets and amazon.com. Suggested retail for a two-pack of the clips is $10.JOHN DUDLEY can be reached at 870-1677 or by e-mail. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNdudley.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Erie Times-News (Erie, Pa.) Visit the Erie Times-News (Erie, Pa.) at .GoErie.com Distributed by MCT Information Services存倉