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NEWS
Brunswick sells Life Fitness to KPS Capital Partners for US$490m
POSTED 07 May 2019 . BY Tom Walker
The Life Fitness portfolio includes five equipment brands

We will work closely with KPS to develop and execute a focused strategic plan
– Jason Worthy
Manufacturing conglomerate Brunswick Corporation is selling its entire fitness business to private equity firm KPS Capital Partners.

KPS – an investment firm which focuses on manufacturing and industrial companies across a number of industries – will acquire the entire Life Fitness estate, which includes five brands: Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group, SCIFIT and Brunswick Billiards.

Under the agreement, approved by Brunswick's board of directors, KPS will pay US$490m (€437m, £374m) in cash to acquire the business and its brands.

The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2019, following receipt of regulatory approvals.

The move comes just months after Brunswick announced plans to spin off its fitness business and to run the wellness brands under an independent, standalone, publicly traded company called FitnessCo. At the time, the company said the move would allow the new company to "better address evolving commercial fitness marketplace trends".

Commenting on the sale, Jason Worthy, president, Life Fitness, said: "We're excited about this incredible opportunity to collaborate with a firm with a tremendous track-record of working with similar companies.

"KPS recognises our world-class brand positioning, the value of our customer relationships, our iconic standing within the fitness industry, and our long-term earning potential.

"We will work closely with KPS to develop and execute a focused strategic plan centred around our mission to inspire healthier lives.

"We will build upon our long and successful history of product development and technology leadership, with the goal of providing the highest-quality solutions and services for a broad range of fitness facilities and fitness consumers."

The move is seen as a way for Brunswick to concentrate in the marine equipment business.

KPS' investments in leisure include TaylorMade Golf and North American Breweries.
Life Fitness' product line includes the SYNRGY360 concept
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NEWS
Brunswick sells Life Fitness to KPS Capital Partners for US$490m
POSTED 07 May 2019 . BY Tom Walker
The Life Fitness portfolio includes five equipment brands
We will work closely with KPS to develop and execute a focused strategic plan
– Jason Worthy
Manufacturing conglomerate Brunswick Corporation is selling its entire fitness business to private equity firm KPS Capital Partners.

KPS – an investment firm which focuses on manufacturing and industrial companies across a number of industries – will acquire the entire Life Fitness estate, which includes five brands: Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group, SCIFIT and Brunswick Billiards.

Under the agreement, approved by Brunswick's board of directors, KPS will pay US$490m (€437m, £374m) in cash to acquire the business and its brands.

The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2019, following receipt of regulatory approvals.

The move comes just months after Brunswick announced plans to spin off its fitness business and to run the wellness brands under an independent, standalone, publicly traded company called FitnessCo. At the time, the company said the move would allow the new company to "better address evolving commercial fitness marketplace trends".

Commenting on the sale, Jason Worthy, president, Life Fitness, said: "We're excited about this incredible opportunity to collaborate with a firm with a tremendous track-record of working with similar companies.

"KPS recognises our world-class brand positioning, the value of our customer relationships, our iconic standing within the fitness industry, and our long-term earning potential.

"We will work closely with KPS to develop and execute a focused strategic plan centred around our mission to inspire healthier lives.

"We will build upon our long and successful history of product development and technology leadership, with the goal of providing the highest-quality solutions and services for a broad range of fitness facilities and fitness consumers."

The move is seen as a way for Brunswick to concentrate in the marine equipment business.

KPS' investments in leisure include TaylorMade Golf and North American Breweries.
Life Fitness' product line includes the SYNRGY360 concept
RELATED STORIES
Former president Chris Clawson returns to Life Fitness as CEO. Augie Nieto invests and joins the Board.


Life Fitness has appointed Chris Clawson as its CEO, succeeding the outgoing Jason Worthy.
Former president Chris Clawson returns to Life Fitness as CEO. Augie Nieto invests and joins the Board.


Life Fitness has appointed Chris Clawson as its CEO, succeeding the outgoing Jason Worthy.
Brunswick names Jason Worthy as president of fitness division ahead of spin-off


US-based manufacturing conglomerate Brunswick has named Jason Worthy, vice president of Life Fitness, as president of its fitness division – just months before the brand's planned spin-off.
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In response to customer demand, Gymnation has unveiled a muscle thobe and ghutra range for Saudi men that celebrates Saudi culture as well as the region’s growing interest in fitness.
World Firefighters Games creates new opportunities for collaboration with the fitness sector
Italian Exhibition Group – the organiser behind industry events Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle Show – has been appointed to deliver the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo at the 16th World Firefighters Games.
Planet Fitness deal hints at blueprint for global expansion
Private investment company, Franchise Equity Partners, has acquired Bravo Fit, the Planet Fitness franchisee in Australia, from existing shareholders.
Fitness First UK unveils makeover of Highbury club with new recovery and Pilates offerings
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