Core Health & Fitness LLC, Vancouver, Washington, has acquired Jacobs Ladder, according to a June 7 announcement from Core Health. Financial terms of the transaction were not released.
This is the second acquisition for Core Health in 2022. It acquired Wexer in April.
Core Health & Fitness is a portfolio company of US-based private equity firm Gainline Capital Partners LP. Core’s brands include StairMaster, Schwinn, Nautilus, Star Trac, Throwdown and Wexer.
Jacobs Ladder makes ladder climbing fitness products, including Jacobs Ladder 2, Jacobs Ladder X, Stairway and Stairway GTL.
“This is a momentous step for Jacobs Ladder, simultaneously granting us the support, investment and distribution we need to dramatically scale our business and accelerate towards our mission in the fitness industry,” Jacobs Ladder CEO Bob Palka said. “The opportunity to work closely with Core Health & Fitness, collaborating across its portfolio of globally recognized brands to build an even more diverse ecosystem is another huge benefit of this acquisition.”
During its 18 years in business, Jacobs Ladder has lacked a partner to help share in an economy of scale, Palka said.
“Core not only brings economy of scale, but an iconic set of brands,” he said. “We are delighted with our new ownership and excited by its implications not only for Jacobs Ladder, but for the sector as a whole.”
Gainline Vice President Harry Clouston called Jacobs Ladder “a natural extension of Core’s business model.”
As consumers return to in-person workouts at gyms, Core is experiencing record year-over-year commercial fitness growth, according to Core President Jason Leone. He said they also have a growing demand for high-intensity products.
The collaboration will begin with the companies jointly exhibiting at IHRSA June 22-24 in Miami.