VANCOUVER, WA — Nautilus Inc.'s $2.31 million acquisition of the Universal® brand of fitness equipment has added another brand to Nautilus' stable. The company already owns Nautilus®, Bowflex®, Stairmaster®, Schwinn Fitness® and Pearl Izumi®. The Universal addition creates potential in its consumer segmentation strategy, said Gregg Hammann, chairman and CEO of Nautilus.
“The Universal brand consistently surfaces as one of the strongest in the fitness category and will serve as an excellent platform for our continued innovation and diversification in many of our sales channels,” he said.
Universal Gym Equipment was formed in 1957 and produced single- and multi-station weight training and cardiovascular equipment for commercial, business and home use. The company emphasized dynamic variable resistance by designing equipment based upon research surrounding human motion and mechanics. Flexible Flyer acquired the brand in 1998 and has sold products under license.