Johnson Health Tech., Ltd., Taichung, Taiwan, officially opened its North American headquarters during a day-long celebration attended by employees, customers, local dignitaries, politicians, and Madison-area residents.

The new headquarters is home to Horizon Fitness, a manufacturer of treadmills and elliptical trainers sold at department stores, sporting goods retailers and specialty fitness dealers across the country, including: Sears, Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Sports Authority. The new facility will also be home to Matrix Fitness, a leading manufacturer of cardiovascular and strength training equipment sold to gyms and health clubs throughout the world.

Johnson Health Tech. is the fastest growing fitness company in the world. Globally, it has an average annualized growth rate of more than 35 percent and is currently positioned as the fourth largest fitness equipment supplier. The company expects global sales to reach $400 million in 2006, with more than 60 percent of sales coming from the North American market ($250 million).

“To sustain our rapid growth and to reach our goal of becoming the best and largest fitness company by 2010, we are committed to investing in the key technology and people needed to reach the next level,” said Peter Lo, Founder and Chairman of Johnson Health Tech., the parent company of Horizon Fitness and Matrix Fitness. “This new facility and the people within it show our ongoing commitment.”

Johnson Health Tech. invested more than $12 million in the 15-acre site, which is located in Cottage Grove, Wis., a suburb just east of Madison, Wis. The new headquarters will be home to more than 300 Horizon Fitness, Matrix Fitness and Johnson Health Tech. North America employees.

The new headquarters centralizes all North American operations for Horizon Fitness and Matrix Fitness, including: product design and development, engineering, customer service, marketing and sales. The goal behind the new facility is to create a “Think Tank” where next-generation fitness equipment is born.

“This new facility – in combination with our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Asia – gives us all the resources, tools and infrastructure to become the biggest and best,” said Bob Whip, president of Horizon Fitness. “By pooling our resources, knowledge and expertise, we create an environment that fosters fresh ideas and innovative thinking.”