"Karcher–Futuretech did not sell the products that triggered the discussion in Lithuania – to the Lithuanian Armed Forces or Nota Bene company (…). They have no right to stick labels with our trademark on the products," David Wickel-Bajak told 15min.lt news portal.
In his words, Karcher–Futuretech will decide on further steps after decisions are made by Lithuanian institutions.
Nota Bene CEO Andrius Jazgevičius told BNS Lithuania on Monday he could not yet comment on the 15min.lt report until he has studied it. In his words, Nota Bene will state its official position within the coming two days.
In late August, Lithuania's Public Procurement Service announced that the army purchased various kitchen utensils from Nota Bene at a price that was eight times above the market price. Some 4,000 euros worth of utensils were bought under a contract estimated at about 174,000 euros.
Jazgevicius has told BNS that Nota Bene did not offer the prices to the Armed Forces, adding it was the price of the manufacturer, Karcher-Futuretech. In Jazgevicius' words, Nota Bene was merely reselling the products, furthermore, not all of them had been produced by Karcher-Futuretech.
In 2014, Lithuania's army signed a preliminary contract of 1.622 million euros with Nota Bene. The value was nearly double the planned sum of acquisition, 724,000 euros.