Life Fitness Celebrates Expansion of Cybex's Minnesota Factory
Owatonna factory expansion increases production capacity, provides local job opportunities
Owatonna, Minn., Feb 23, 2017 – Life Fitness, the global leader in commercial fitness equipment, held a ribbon cutting ceremony at its Cybex facility in Owatonna, Minn., on February 23, to celebrate the completion of a 150,000-square-foot expansion. Life Fitness leadership, employees and leaders of the Owatonna community participated in the ceremony.
Completed in February, the expanded facility now totals 490,000 square feet. The expansion, coupled with an investment in automation and technology, dramatically increases the facility’s overall manufacturing capacity to support the continued growth of the fitness industry.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the completed expansion to the Cybex facility in Owatonna,” said Scott Darsow, vice president of global manufacturing for Life Fitness. “This expansion is our second in Minnesota in two years, and we produce more products in the state than anywhere in the world. With this expansion, we’re underscoring our commitment to growing our global manufacturing footprint and to growth in the local community.”
The Cybex Owatonna facility has been a part of the community for nearly a decade; and the expansion is on its way to creating more than 100 job opportunities for the community in disciplines such as welding, fabrication, powder coat painting and assembly. Additionally, the project invested $11 million in construction costs with Minnesota-based contractors.
The City of Owatonna approved a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement to help facilitate project construction, and the State of Minnesota granted a deed for a job creation award and capital investment rebate.
“The city and state have been critical partners in supporting the expansion of the facility,” said John Champa, senior director of manufacturing operations at Cybex. “We greatly appreciate their unwavering support and are looking forward to continuing our relationship of growth with the community.”
Continuing its support of community growth in Owatonna, Life Fitness also announced the company will be donating $10,000 to the Owatonna Foundation. The Owatonna Foundation continues to make major contributions to the welfare of the Owatonna community, and primarily focuses on four areas including community, education, the arts and recreation. Owatonna Foundation distributes charitable gifts through grants and scholarships, and 100 percent of the money given stays in Owatonna.
The Cybex Owatonna factory produces more than 200 varieties of high-end commercial fitness products, including strength machines and the popular Cybex Arc Trainer. Life Fitness also has factories in Ramsey, Minn.; Franklin Park, Ill.; Falmouth, Ky.; Tulsa, Okla.; Bristol, Wisc.; Delavan, Wisc.; Medway, Mass. and Kiskoros, Hungary. Life Fitness is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill.
About Cybex International, Inc.
For over 45 years, Cybex International, Inc., a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) and part of the Life Fitness brand family, has been a leading manufacturer of premium exercise equipment. The Cybex product line, which includes a full range of strength, cardio and service solutions is designed to be aesthetically striking, innovative in design, durable in structure, biomechanically correct – and most importantly – truly helpful to everyone from first-time gym members to professional athletes. Led by the Cybex Research Institute, Cybex is fiercely committed to real results and meaningful innovations delivered through a devotion to excellence and a dedication to science. Cybex designs and builds its products in the USA for a wide range of facilities, from commercial health clubs to home gyms. For more information on Cybex and its products, visit the company’s website at http://www.cybexintl.com or follow them on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.
About Life Fitness
Life Fitness is the global leader in commercial fitness equipment and game tables and furnishings. The company manufactures and sells its strength and cardiovascular equipment, productive well-being equipment, billiards tables and accessories, and game room furniture under the brand names Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group, SCIFIT, InMovement and Brunswick Billiards. Its equipment is distributed to 148 countries. Headquartered outside Chicago, in Rosemont, Ill., Life Fitness is a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC). For more information, visit www.lifefitness.com.
About Brunswick
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation’s leading consumer brands include Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood, Garelick and Whale marine parts and accessories; Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine and BLA parts and accessories distributors; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Brunswick Commercial and Government Products, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Lowe, Lund, Meridian, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Thunder Jet and Uttern; Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group and SCIFIT fitness equipment; InMovement products and services for productive well-being; and Brunswick billiards tables, accessories and game room furniture. For more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com.