Johnson Health Tech, Inc., manufacturer of Matrix Fitness, Vision Fitness, AFG, Horizon Fitness and LIVESTRONG Fitness equipment, announced its year-end sales results ending Dec. 31, 2010, showing a gain of 21% worldwide over 2009. In North America, total 2010 sales improved by 25%.

“We couldn't be more pleased with the tremendous growth JHT experienced globally and domestically for 2010,”said Nathan Pyles, president of Johnson Health Tech North America (JHTNA), a subsidiary of JHT. “Each quarter yielded increased sales across all channels, including commercial, specialty and sporting goods markets. With strategic investments in innovative technologies, as well as key commercial and retail partners, we've consistently offered new and exciting products, provided unmatched customer service and created a best-in-class workplace that has afforded us exceptional market leadership.”

In the commercial segment, driven by JHTNA's Matrix brand, the company experienced a 48% annual growth over 2009, and a total of 17% and eight percent growth in the retail sporting goods and specialty channels, respectively. Pyles attributes the retail growth to successful and well-received launches of the company's global elliptical and treadmill product platforms, as well continued growth for retail partners and strategic partnerships like LIVESTRONG and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

On the commercial side, Pyles notes a more aligned Matrix product portfolio that better serves the multiple channels within the commercial market. “We saw record sales in 2010 for many of our commercial products and partners, including VirtualActive™, Asset Management, and LIVESTRONG® by Matrix, while our group exercise and treadmill categories experienced an overwhelming market reception and phenomenal growth.”

“Our continued efforts and focused strategy on concentrated market growth yielded great results for JHT in 2010,”said Mark Zabel, vice president global marketing of JHT. “The success is a result of ongoing planning around new technologies, strategic partnerships with key customers, and the combined efforts of a truly dedicated team that keeps both the product and customer as the number one priority.”

Johnson Health Tech, Inc. (JHT), Taiwan, is the third largest fitness equipment manufacturer in the world. Johnson Health Tech North America (JHTNA) is a subsidiary of JHT and is based in Cottage Grove, WI.