Plans call for eight to twelve licensed Precor Home Fitness locations to be launched before year-end. Proven through a pilot project in the Seattle area, the Precor Home Fitness retail environment offers a deeper customer experience and leverages the power of Precor's market recognition.

The ownership group, headed by Bruce Thaler of HEST Fitness Products of Texas, includes Mike Connolly, a highly regarded Precor veteran responsible for Precor dealer relations in the New England area for 15 years. HEST currently operates a successful chain of 14 fitness equipment stores throughout Texas.

"We're looking forward to collaborating closely with this new group, which has substantial financial and management capabilities, and a tremendous understanding of our products and customer," said Precor Vice President of Sales Larry Domingo.

"Together, we're committed to launching the Precor Home Fitness model in these markets, and recharge the connection between the customer experience delivered at the retail level, and expectations of the Precor brand," Domingo added.

The licensed Precor Home Fitness stores feature the Precor premium line of home equipment in a highly branded, consultative sales environment. Although the specialty retail stores will carry complementary fitness choices, the primary focus is on Precor.

About Precor

Founded in the Seattle, WA. area in 1980, Precor (www.precor.com) operates production, distribution and headquarters facilities near Seattle, with offices in the UK, Germany, Benelux, Spain, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Japan and China. Engineered to move the way you move, Precor equipment sets the global standard for a fluid, natural, low-impact workout experience.

Precor is one of the brands of Amer Sports Corporation (www.amersports.com). Amer Sports is the world's largest sports equipment company, with internationally recognized brands Wilson, Atomic, Suunto, Precor, Salomon and Mavic.