More than Just Fitness

     If you’ve ever set foot in a hotel fitness center, chances are the treadmills, ellipticals, weights and other products came from BrigadoonFitness^™ and its hospitality division called Hotel Fitness^®. Based in Fort Wayne, the company sells commercial fitness equipment to hotels, apartment communities, corporate wellness centers, military bases, college recreation centers, health clubs and other such entities throughout the country. It also has a loyal customer base of fitness enthusiasts who prefer higher quality equipment in their homes.

Building Success
In August of 2012, Brigadoon Financial, a private investment company owned by local businessman Bruce Dye, acquired Hotel Fitness^® with the goal to significantly grow the business and expand into other markets. Now operating under BrigadoonFitness^™, the company quickly doubled revenues and moved into a new 70,000 square foot headquarters and distribution center.

     According to Kevin Feldman, vice president of sales and marketing, “Under Bruce’s direction, we’ve invested heavily in product inventory, experienced people, advanced technology and business processes that allow us to be incredibly responsive to our customers.” He says, “Our ability to ship the same day an order is placed is rare in an industry where four to six week lead times are the norm.”

     Beyond the hundreds of fitness centers Brigadoon equips throughout the country each year, many local businesses and schools are among their clients, including Brotherhood Mutual, Franklin Electric, Bishop Dwenger High School, Ash Brokerage and STAR Financial Bank. “Brigadoon Fitness helped us create a functional and safe fitness center for our employees,” says Wendy Collins, organizational development specialist at Brotherhood Mutual.  

What is the Green Series?
Launched in early 2014, Green Series is a family of cardio equipment designed for commercial use in a variety of industries. As the name implies, Green Series products are energy-efficient, manufactured with recyclable components and engineered to reduce the carbon footprint.

     Recently, the Green Series was put to the test at the U.S. Marine Corps training facility at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. After months of heavy use, often by military personnel running at high speeds with 80 pound backpacks, Green Series performed as well or better than the competitor products costing upwards of 50 percent more. “We’ve sold and installed Green Series products in several military bases throughout the country, including the Los Angeles Air Force Base,” says Dale Hansen, director of product development for BrigadoonFitness^™.

Looking Toward Future Growth
BrigadoonFitness^™ remains focused on continual growth and success in the fitness industry. “We are investing millions of dollars in equipment, people, infrastructure and technology. Having the appropriate equipment available is key,” says Feldman.

     Another key to Brigadoon’s success is the development of a nationwide dealer network. More than 70 fitness equipment dealers have signed on and are selling, installing and servicing Green Series products throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Craig Shepard, president of Fitline, a commercial fitness dealer in California, has been selling the Green Series for about a year. He says, “The equipment offers a dynamic lineup and superior commercial quality, all at an excellent price point.”

Reinvesting in the Community
Many charitable organizations throughout northeast Indiana have benefited from the generosity of Bruce Dye and his companies. Perhaps the largest benefactor of Brigadoon’s support is the Hotel Fitness Championship. This professional golf tournament kicks off the Web.com Tour Finals series and brings nearly 150 professional golfers along with caddies, media and families to Fort Wayne for the week. The Hotel Fitness Championship raises money for local charities and for the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full tuition and housing for golf caddies from modest means. 

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