Syracuse Crunch, Utica Comets, and AHL partner with group purchasing firm

The American Hockey League (AHL) and Essensa, a national group purchasing organization (GPO), recently announced a new, multi-year partnership.

Essensa will become be the official GPO of the AHL and participating AHL member clubs.

The New York City–based company contends in a news release that it will provide the AHL and participating clubs with “business development opportunities and access to lower pricing on a wide variety of contracted products and services used in day-to-day business operations.”

Under the agreement, individual AHL clubs can also become Essensa GPO members. The Syracuse Crunch and Utica Comets are among the five clubs that have already signed on. The others are the Rockford IceHogs, San Diego Gulls, and Texas Stars, according to the release.

“This relationship is a natural progression for Essensa, which for more than five years has helped teams as well as sports and recreation organizations streamline and reduce costs in procuring goods and services,” said John P. Sganga, president and CEO of Essensa, which employs 50 people. “This collaboration will deliver significant benefits to the AHL and its fans.”

The agreement was brokered by Denver–based Impression Sports & Entertainment.