The skier is the product that gave NordicTrack its start. More thsan 35 years later, NordicTrack still makes a skier model, along with its line of treadmills, elliptical machines and exercise bikes. The skier took the company from the inventor's garage to annual sales of $15 million. Originally, the skier was made in Minnesota, but production has since been transferred overseas.
The Invention
Edward Pauls designed ski boots and bindings for Rosemount, Inc. until 1969 when the company was sold. Pauls then turned his attention to his own inventions. The winter of 1975 was especially cold and wet in Chaska, Minnesota. Pauls decided to build an indoor skier machine so competitive skiers, including his daughter, could practice year-round. His machine was a hit with his friends and Pauls began manufacturing the skiers in his garage.
Models
The Sequoia was the first NordicTrack skier, followed by the Challenger, then the Excel. There have been many skier models since. The current model, as of January 2011, is the Classic Pro Skier. In that time, the skier machine hasn't changed much. It still features the patented flywheel and arm exerciser. The skis are still made of wood, although the newer model is made of "heavy-duty wood" while the original models were made of oak or pine.
Change of Hands
NordicTrack grew quickly from the sales of its increasingly popular skier. By the mid-1980s, annual sales were around $15 million and the company employed 200 people in Chaska, Minnesota. All this growth was due to the skier, which was still NordicTrack's only product. In 1986, CML, a public company, bought NordicTrack from Edward Pauls. The company began diversifying the product line, adding strength equipment, stair climbers and cross trainers.
Skier Today
By the mid-1990s, CML and NordicTrack were in trouble. Sales fell and NordicTrack declared bankruptcy in 1998. Icon Health and Fitness, the world's largest fitness equipment manufacturer, acquired NordicTrack later that year. By 1999, Icon moved production of NordicTrack products, including the skier, overseas. Although NordicTrack still produces the skier, as of January 2011, it only has one model, the Classic Pro. In comparison, the NordicTrack website features more than 15 treadmills and a dozen elliptical machines.
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