Life Fitness Announces Realignment in Europe

QUEEN ADELAIDE, ELY – Jan. 7, 2008 – Life Fitness, the global leader in designing and manufacturing commercial fitness equipment, is merging its UK and Continental European operations with immediate effect to promote further international growth. The newly integrated business will be led by Frank van de Ven, Managing Director for continental Europe, Middle East and Africa since 2004, who now becomes Vice President-Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

The move will allow Life Fitness to seamlessly service its customers across this important region and continue to provide dedicated management, leadership and accountability, ensuring highest customer satisfaction, sales and earnings growth.

Van de Ven welcomes the restructure: “We will continue to evolve our organization as our customers’ needs change. We are committed to providing greater focus on the specific customer segments and geographic regions that drive our growth opportunities.”

As part of the restructure, Chris O’Connor, Managing Director for Life Fitness, UK Ltd, will be leaving the business. “Having accomplished everything I set out to achieve for the company I think this is a good time for me to explore other interests,” said O’Connor.

The company acknowledges the valuable contributions Chris has made during his time with Life Fitness, and wishes him every success in the future.

Director of Key Accounts (UK), Peter Rigg will assume additional responsibilities for multi-region accounts across EMEA as the MRA Director. Arron Williams, currently Life Fitness Academy (UK) Manager, takes up the new position of Manager, EMEA Customer Solutions, where he will work closely with the sales and marketing teams across the EMEA region to analyse changing competitive factors and industry trends. 

“Life Fitness has grown rapidly with sales now exceeding $600 million globally.  To service our increasingly diverse worldwide markets with excellence, we are moving to an organizational structure that will enable greater focus on the specific customer segments and geographic regions that drive our growth opportunities,” says Van de Ven.

About Life Fitness

Life Fitness, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), is the global leader in designing and manufacturing a full line of reliable, high-quality fitness equipment for commercial and consumer use. It is the largest commercial fitness equipment provider in the world and the only fitness equipment manufacturer that has been providing premium equipment for 30 years. Life Fitness’ cardiovascular and strength-training products, including the renowned Lifecycle exercise bike, are used worldwide in health clubs, fitness centres and wellness facilities, as well as in homes. The company is headquartered near Chicago and distributes its equipment in more than 120 countries. For more information, visit www.lifefitness.com.

 

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