Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott McDonald and Stuart Glenn.
Scott, Stuart, please share your story with us.
The company was started almost thirty years ago and Scott and Stuart took it over about 12 years ago. We make fitness equipment primarily under the Body-Solid brand and sell it in over 100 countries. We also have a retail division, Fitness Factory Outlet with 4 stores and an extensive internet presence. We have always been based in the Chicago area. We came to their partnership from very different backgrounds. Stuart has spent his entire career in fitness and fitness retailing. Scott comes from a financial, operational and general business background. Together we have grown the business consistently and now carry over 500 different items ranging from simple jump ropes to complicated home gyms, treadmills and similar products.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The company has been fortunate to adapt well to what has been a rapidly changing environment. The advent of the internet as a retail outlet for fitness equipment was a challenge but one that we were able to surmount. Besides the difference in selling on line versus bricks and mortar stores, the demands of customers have changed as well with 24 hour shipping and similar requirements needing to be met. We are proud that our team has adapted well to these changes and we are prospering today because of it.
Please tell us about Body-Solid and Fitness Factory Outlet.
We make very high quality products that have gained acceptance and renown in over 100 countries and yet we are still a family oriented, privately held company that cares for its employees and their families. We are well known for our products but as equally well known for our approach to business starting first and foremost with our customer care. We were the first to offer a life-time warranty on our products and remain today the fitness company with the largest and broadest array of products available.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Since we are responding as partners in the company, it might be fun to mention how, long before we met, they had many parallels in their lives from living a few blocks from each other after college to bars they hung out at as well as the funny coincidences of both being on Bozo’s circus (as participants in the games) when they were children.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1900 S Des Plaines, Forest Park, IL 60130
- Website: bodysolid.com & fitnessfactory.com
- Phone: 708-427-3500 (FFO) 708-427-3555 (Body Solid)
- Email: sales@bodysolid.com & sales@fitnessfactory.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodysolidfit/
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Body-Solid/125909530821726
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/bodysolidfit
Image Credit:
Body-Solid Inc.
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