refurbished equipment
OLD FOR NEW
Top quality, reliable equipment for a fraction of the price: Kath Hudson looks at the options available for refurbished and remanufactured kit
M
ost businesses have had to tighten their belts over the past couple of years, and buying remanufactured kit is an excellent way of saving money without compromising on performance.
The downside is that you don’t get the most current and innovative product, and the design may not be as sleek – but you do get an essentially brand new product at a better price, covered by warranty and service agreements, which can be
branded and colour-matched to fit in with the rest of your equipment. No-one will ever know it’s not new. Suppliers have reported an increasing interest in refurbished
and remanufactured kit in recent years, with some clubs getting their existing products rebuilt. This route is appealing for budget chains and independents, particularly start-up businesses, which aim to offer something more than the latest equipment as their USP. We look at some recent case studies.
CLUB: Fitness4Less, Southwark, Greater London INVESTMENT IN KIT:
DATE OF INSTALLATION:
EQUIPMENT INSTALLED Fitness4Less purchased refurbished strength equipment from Pulse, across the E, F and G product development phases. The E range dates back to 1997 and the current product line, the G range, was launched in 2005. The budget chain chose refurbished equipment because the price suited the business model, without compromising on quality or condition. Pulse offered a bespoke funding package, re-upholstered the equipment to suit the brand, offered a two-year service contract and provided quick turnaround and installation. “As a value for money operator, it’s essential that set-up
costs are as low as possible, with price, quality and durability being the key factors,” says Steve Bradley, operations director for Fitness4Less. “We chose the refurbished kit from Pulse
SUPPLIER: Pulse Fitness £20,000 April 2011
Fitness because it delivers on all counts. Pulse can also help with our brand image by re-upholstering the equipment in our company colours. The kit has gone down well with members and staff alike and Pulse has been excellent with installation and a speedy after-care service when required.” Linda Forster, marketing manager at Pulse Fitness, says the
company has seen an uplift in refurbished equipment orders over the last 12 months, especially in the private sector. “Funding companies now recognise these products as a secure investment and so provide attractive fi nance and funding packages,” she says. “Our second-hand equipment represents excellent quality and outstanding working condition. We’re aware of some strength equipment that is more than 20 years old and still in active use in fi tness facilities across the UK.”
Pulse was able to help the Fitness4Less brand image by re-upholstering refurbished kit in the company’s colours march 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 77
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