The story of Life Fitness began when two young entrepreneurs, Ray Wilson and Augie Nieto, saw the promise of Dr. Dimick’s invention. Even though it was slightly ahead of its time, they believed the Lifecycle exercise bike could help generations of athletes, trainers, exercisers, and people everywhere live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. Wilson and Nieto bought the rights to the Lifecycle bike from Dr. Dimick, perfected it, and sold it out of a motor home to health clubs across America. Despite the overwhelming odds and initial unpopularity of the Lifecycle exercise bike, the two passion-filled pioneers turned a two-man operation and a seemingly impossible vision into a prosperous reality. Along the way, they shaped the future of Life Fitness as well as the fitness industry, bringing cardiovascular training into the mainstream and helping ignite the health club boom. Today, Life Fitness employs more than 1,700 people at 12 international subsidiaries and manufacturing facilities, with 186 dealers and distributors in more than 120 countries. The company have come a long way since the Lifecycle bike and now offer more than 300 different cardio and strength-training products. The history of Life Fitness is painted with several ground-breaking product innovations and industry “firsts”. The timeline below will help you follow our storied past and learn about the role they have played in the evolution of the fitness industry.

Freedom Group is the world’s leading innovator, designer, manufacturer, and marketer of firearms, ammunition, and related products for the hunting, shooting sports, law enforcement, and military markets. As one of the largest manufacturers in the world of firearms and ammunition, Freedom Group have some of the most globally recognized brands including Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS/Panther Arms, Marlin, H&R, NEF, LC Smith, Parker, EOTAC and INTC.

The year was 1944. Abram Albert DeFehr, a Russian born immigrant to Canada, began making simple wooden pieces in the basement of his Winnipeg home. Within a few years, the fledgling business had moved from the basement into a former chicken barn — Palliser's first furniture factory.Today, Palliser is Canada’s leading home furniture manufacturer, providing a livelihood for over 4000 people, funding a philanthropic foundation that shares profits with communities around the world, and continuing to build value with values.

Young Chang's pianos -- styles from full-concert grand pianos to Kurzweil-brand player-pianos for barstool Beethovens -- are sold in more than 45 countries. The company's products portfolio boasts several brand names, including Bergmann, Young Chang, and the Pramberger Signature Series. In 2990, Young Chang acquired Kurzweil Music Systems, a manufacturer of synthesizers, player pianos, and digital pianos. Still family-owned and -operated, Young Chang was founded in 1956 by three brothers: Jae-Kim, Jae-Young, and Jae-Sup Kim.

Onkyo Corporation's products live up to their name. The consumer products manufacturer (its name literally means "sound") makes consumer audio equipment for home and car use. Its products include car stereo speakers, CD players, DVD players, home stereo speakers, home theater systems, and home network systems. The company also sells speakers manufactured by others. The firm sells its products worldwide through traditional and Internet retailers including Fry's Electronics. Onkyo, which was founded in 1946, operates more than 20 facilities (production plants, development centers, and sales units) worldwide.

Furniture Brands International, Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sources, and retails home furnishings. It offers case goods, including bedroom, dining room, and living room furniture; stationary upholstery products consisting of sofas, loveseats, sectionals, and chairs; motion upholstered furniture comprising recliners and sleep sofas; occasional furniture, such as wood, metal, and glass tables, accent pieces, home entertainment centers, and home office furniture; and decorative accessories and accent pieces. Furniture Brands International sells its products through a network of independently-owned furniture retailers, national and regional department stores and chains, trade showrooms, and various retail channels, including mass merchant stores, single-branded and independent dealers, and specialized interior designers. As of December 31, 2008, it operated 44 stores. The company was founded in 1836 and is headquartered in St Louis, Missouri.

For 30 years Maitland-Smith has been in the business of creating exquisite and unique decorative accessories, lighting and accent furniture. Maitland-Smith design roots, however, go much deeper. Antiques from 17th and 18th Century England have always played an important role early in the history; inspiring designs that captured the appearance and quality of the originals. Over time, however, the company designs have successfully evolved and today incorporate style, materials and methods found in many other parts of the world.Today Maitland-smith is an industry leader well known for its world-class quality and innovative design. Their areas of expertise include metal casting, finely executed porcelains, sophisticated finishing techniques, detailed hand painting, beautiful inlaid marquetry and the finest hand carved woodwork. Leather, penshell and eggshell are just a few of the multitude of materials that are used to create Maitland-Smith treasures. Maitland-Smith take great pride in the quality of materials and the highly skilled artisans, who fashion these unique pieces each year in the company-owned workshops. Main office and showroom are located in High Point, North Carolina, where company's design, marketing, sales and administrative staff are located.

Founded in 1978, Escort Radar has a long history of leading technology in radar and laser detection. Launched under the company name Cincinnati Microwave, Inc., today, ESCORT continues to develop high-performance radar and laser detectors, under the Passport brand name and has been issued over 85% of patents in the field - more than all other competitors combined. Our dedication to honing cutting edge technology has been rewarded with numerous industry honors and we are proud to be among the most respected in the industry. Company headquarters are located in the Cincinnati, OH area, and the full line of radar, laser and safety detectors is designed, manufactured, and marketed in North America.

For over 70 years, Wehrfritz GmbH has been a single-source supplier of furniture, playground equipment, toys, craft supplies, and more for kindergartens. Habermaass GmbH also cater to the littlest ones in childcare center and for the older children in elementary schools and participating in after-school care programs. With their furniture and therapy materials they also help with special needs and handicapped audience, as well as the elderly.

Ohio Art also proudly markets specialty toys including K's Kids®, a series of toys specially developed for babies and toddlers.The first K's Kids toy was launched in 1997. It was so well received by the parents and babies that in less than five years' time, K's Kids products were selling in over 50 countries and enjoyed by millions of babies and toddlers. Concepts by K's Kids have been highly recognized by the toy industry and have won a number of world renowned toy awards.Ohio Art has come a long way since the early 1900s, but metal lithography remains a core part of their business today. Ohio Art is one of the leading producers of specialty lithographic components serving a diverse customer base including Disney, Starbucks, Altoids and Coca-Cola.

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