Taipei, May 16, 2008 (CENS)--Influenced by the soaring prices for such raw materials as metal, plastics, and package cardboard & cartons, some leading Taiwanese fitness equipment makers, including Johnson Health Tech. Co., Joong Chenn Industry Co., and Strength Master, have recently raised the prices of their products for a growth rate of about 15%-20%.

K.C. Lo, John`s chairman, indicated that the prices of the company`s products made its plants in China showed an average rise of 20%, and the prices of those turned out in Taiwan presented a growth of 12%-15%. Lo said that the price hike of John`s products has reflected only 80% of that of raw materials, so the company has to absorb the remaining 20% in raw material cost.

The company produces mainly automatic steppers, excise bikes and treadmills; which may present a growth of 18% to 20% in prices. Despite the price hike, the company said that it still takes in 5%-10% of the ballooning material cost.

Strength Master also informed its customers in March of the price hike for its products. The average price rise of the company`s commercial-use fitness equipment averages at 17% and the corresponding percentage for home gym is around 20%.

Tonic Sport, another leading fitness firm in Taiwan and an OEM contractor of Icon and Nautilus, the world`s two leading fitness equipment manufacturers, has also raised recently the prices of its products by 10%-15%.
(by Judy Li)