» Supplier Profile
The Treadmill Factory showroom
outpaces his competitors by months. As CEO, Proudian focuses on de-
signing new products, obtaining pat- ents and generating residual income products. His brother, as general man- ager, continues to develop the compa- ny’s online presence. The company’s R & D lab has a va-
riety of computer animation software experts and a full machine shop for de- veloping equipment prototypes based on feedback from athletes, employees and personal trainers. There are also testing facilities where employees eval- uate new designs and existing equip- ment in real world applications. The company provides products to profes- sional athletic centres and to elite-level trainers who provide feedback before anything is sold to retail clients. Treadmill Factory employees are
charged with the responsibility of pro- viding daily feedback on products and client satisfaction. Service department employees provide weekly feedback on service issues, constantly monitoring for potential problems. The company recently parted ways with one manu- facturer because it was taking too long—four to six weeks—for its parts to arrive.
what’s wrong with a product versus
“I like to hear
how great it is, so I can go back and make it better.”
44 Fitness Business Canada May/June 2015 “We evaluate everything and see
where we can make improvements,” says Proudian. “To be honest, I like to hear what is wrong with a product ver- sus how great it is, so I can go back and make it better.” And he means it. A few years ago,
many of the staff were complaining of headaches while working. They dis- covered the source of the headaches was toxins in the recycled rubber used in some dumbbells and weights. The company discontinued its re- cycled rubber products and replaced them with scent-free virgin rubber equivalents. Another time, while sourcing a low-
er-cost kettle bell, Proudian conducted toxin tests on some sample products and was alarmed to discover that some contained lead and mercury. These products did not pass muster and were dismissed. Proudian’s mantra: Quality first, price second.
“We are more expensive than our
competitors with our weights and dumbbells, but I sleep well at night knowing that they aren’t causing any harm,” says Proudian. While The Treadmill Factory
doesn’t claim to be the cheapest equip- ment supplier in North America, it does pride itself on providing premi- um products that are field tested and consumer- and athlete-driven. The company’s commitment to customer service has resulted in a high level of referral and repeat business, requiring less spending on new-customer acquisi- tion. And it has allowed Proudian, who still loves the electrical and mechanical aspects of the business, to continue de- veloping new products and expanding his business around the world. FBC
Kathryn Korchok is a freelance writer whose current passion is tennis. She also loves yoga, dance, hiking, and seeking balance in life.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48