Concept2: Featured Fitness Franchise Supplier
Concept2 began in 1976 in the back of a bread truck when Dick and Pete Dreissigacker, fresh from Olympic training, started making composite racing oars. Concept2 oars have since gone on to become the oar of choice among the world’s rowers, and innovations continue right to the present day.
In 1981, Dick and Pete created the Concept2 Indoor Rower, which swiftly became the best-selling rowing machine in the world. Now several models later, it’s used every day by Olympic athletes, cardiac rehab patients, individuals at home and every caliber of rower in-between.
Since those early days we’ve grown to over 100 employees, and our product line includes high-performance oars, the RowErg, SkiErg and BikeErg. Though we’re much larger now, we remain dedicated to our philosophy of providing the most innovative products and programs to our customers. By selling factory direct from our manufacturing facility in Morrisville, Vermont, Concept2 eliminates the middleman so we can provide our customers with the best value.
Every machine and oar we produce comes from a background of over forty-five years of excellence. We strive to design, manufacture, sell and service unique products of the highest quality and value for the benefit of the Concept2 community—our customers, employees, suppliers and neighbors.
What specialized solutions does your company offer to meet the needs of the fitness and wellness franchise industry?
Concept2 equipment is affordable, engineered to work smoothly, be easily maintained, and will last a lifetime.
A feature that sets Concept2 apart from the competition is our Performance Monitor, which comes standard with every machine. The Performance Monitor provides real-time feedback on your effort, as well as cumulative performance data, at the end of every workout. The monitor calibrates so you can compare each stroke, each interval and each workout. This means, unlike most other pieces of fitness equipment, that you can compare yourself against any athlete on any Concept2 machine anywhere in the world. The PM5 monitor can be wirelessly connected to heart rate monitors, our free ErgData app and other compatible apps. It can also be integrated with the unique systems within your facility.
All three Concept2 machines, the BikeErg®, SkiErg® and RowErg®, have small footprints and can be easily moved around your space. No direct access to power is needed.
Lastly, our equipment is accessible to all; it works for kids, 100-year-olds, and everyone in between. Adaptive athletes, elite athletes, and people who have never considered themselves athletic before can use our machines. Whatever the goals or the experience, our machines are suitable for all athletes.
Why should franchise owners choose your company over competing providers?
Experience. We’ve been making rowing machines since 1981. While others have come and gone, ours have become the best-selling indoor rowing machines in the world. When you choose Concept2, you and your franchisees are supported by a dedicated team. Now approaching our 50th anniversary, Concept2 is built on the reputation of having an outstanding Customer Service team. Whether you need support through the ordering and logistical process, assistance integrating with the Concept2 community or technology, or maintaining your equipment, we have a team ready to help.
Do you require an existing relationship with the parent franchise company to work with individual franchisees?
While it’s not a requirement, having an existing relationship with the parent franchise company certainly helps us to establish a process and understand the needs of your business. Those with an existing relationship with us will have access to our dedicated commercial team. This team helps with the many logistical issues that arise as well as establishes a relationship with franchise owners so that any installation, equipment or warranty issue can be dealt with efficiently.
Our goal is to support our equipment fully and to alleviate any burden to the parent franchise company.
What size franchise business does your company specialize in serving?
Concept2 can accommodate franchises of all sizes. We currently work with franchise businesses that operate on a global scale and those that strictly operate in the United States. Regardless of size, our commercial team establishes a relationship and identifies how to best service any franchise that wants to implement Concept2 equipment.
Can you share insights into the number and types of franchise brands your company has collaborated with?
Concept2 ergs serve as durable and dynamic cardio equipment that integrates effortlessly into many different training regimens. We’ve been fortunate to collaborate with a wide array of franchises through the years from boutique rowing studios like Row House, to boxing gyms like UFC Gym and, of course, various functional training gyms like F45 Training and MADabolic.
What is the average total cost for your products and services?
Concept2 has always had a goal to make our product affordable for all, which means we have worked to keep our equipment right around $1000, plus shipping and any applicable sales tax. Circumstances that might dictate changing our pricing are based on the supply chain, which is always hard to predict. Although we do not foresee circumstances in which we would change our pricing, we cannot predict the future.
Where is your company’s headquarters, and do you have additional offices to serve clients?
The Concept2 headquarters are in Morrisville, Vermont. We also have offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Australia, with a network of over 39 dealers around the world. This allows us to support our products in over 150 countries.
What are the key contact details for reaching out to your company and exploring potential collaboration?
Our team can be reached by emailing [email protected], which goes directly to Tracy Desrocher and Megan Shea. Tracy has been with Concept2 for almost 25 years and, together with Megan and the team, has a wealth of experience collaborating with franchise partners.