US fitness giant, Nautilus, has been awarded a record order worth over $1 million by Talwalkars, India’s largest chain of health centers. The order is the biggest ever placed with a single fitness equipment company in India.

The exclusive partnership with Nautilus follows a joint venture agreement between Talwalkar Better Value Fitness and Pantaloon Retail (India) Limited to create new premium health & fitness centres in major retail malls across the country. The ambitious venture aims to achieve a target of over 100 centres, with 20 sites scheduled to open in 2007.

Designed to provide a top quality fitness experience at an affordable price, each new health & fitness centre will offer a state-of-the-art commercial gym supplied by Nautilus, spa services, treatment rooms, snack and juice bar and, at larger sites, a Talwalkars retail store selling home gym equipment. Nautilus has also signed an exclusive distributor agreement with Talwalkars for its premium home gym brands.

The record order which was secured with the help of Nautilus’s India distributor Multi Tradin  will create a wall-to-wall Nautilus facility at each club, combining both strength and cardio equipment.  To date, the order includes 110 treadmills, 115 elliptical, over 40 steppers and bikes, together with cardio tv screens, NitroPlus strength equipment, benches and free-weight. Nautilus will also supply Talwalkars with full product training for 18 months as part of the agreement.

Commenting on the order, Mr. Prashant Talwalkar, Managing Director, Talwalkars said: “We want our new fitness centres to have the very best equipment available from one leading brand.  We chose Nautilus after our extensive research of the international fitness market confirmed that they always deliver top quality fitness equipment and excellent customer service.”

Adds Andrew Dick, Vice President Distributor Business, Nautilus: “We are delighted with the agreement with Talwalkars for both its commercial and retail business. Talwalkars weren’t just looking for product; they were searching for a brand to provide their consumers with a total experience. There are just a few fitness companies globally that can provide this across both retail and commercial channels. We were particularly happy that Talwalkars greatly valued our consumer training and education packages that will drive new consumers to their facilities, as well as educate their growing employee base.”

Sourced From: Blue Lotus Communications Pvt. Ltd