Local firm lands exclusive deal to distribute Israeli fitness equipment
For Garret Hergert, president of G2 Outdoor Living, Inc. in Ridgefield, the road to closing a recent distribution deal for Israeli-made outdoor workout equipment turned out to be the journey of a lifetime.
Hergert traveled twice to the Middle East in the past year, met with state senators in Olympia and even had a private meeting with Israel's Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development Silvan Shalom – not just in an effort to bring business partners from two different continents together, but to connect families here in Clark County as well.
"This isn't just about making money," he said. "I want to put out this equipment so families can exercise together in parks, trails or even at home."
Through an exclusive distribution agreement with Z.H. Sport World 2007 Ltd., Hergert says G2 will have the rights to sell the Israeli-built outdoor, isometric training equipment anywhere in the Western Hemisphere.
Z.H. Sport World was founded in Yavne, Israel by Zeev Steinmetz, a bodybuilder and former 1987 Mr. Israel, and businessman Haim Tel Avivi. According to Hergert, the company's outdoor exercise equipment is designed to use body resistance rather than dead weight to build muscle without succumbing to the elements.
"If the equipment can stand the salty rain and weather from the Mediterranean, it will be fine in the Pacific Northwest ‘drizzles,'" Hergert said.
Hergert was first introduced to Z.H. Sport World by Ridgefield resident Tani Zarelli, a longtime advocate for increased business ties between Southwest Washington and Israel.
"When I saw people enjoying workouts outdoors in Tel Aviv, I knew this had potential elsewhere in the world," said Zarelli, who is also the wife of state Sen. Joeseph Zarelli (R-Ridgefield). "Then, it was a matter of finding a young, energetic visionary who saw an opportunity."
Having traveled to the Middle Eastern nation already with Vancouver's Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene in 1996, business wasn't exactly on the agenda for Hergert's second trip.
"I love Israel and I wanted to go back for religious reasons," Hergert said. "But I was very skeptical of the business value."
However, Hergert says Tel Avivi won him over, with their first meeting during his trip last February leading to a chain of visits by both parties in the months since.
In March, Z.H. Sport World officials traveled to Washington state – a visit that culminated in a meeting with Sen. Zarelli and Lieutenant Gov. Brad Owen's chief of staff in Olympia to discuss a future outdoor installations, according to Hergert. In a later trip to Israel, Hergert said he had a private meeting with Vice Prime Minister Shalom to discuss finalizing the distributing deal.
With the distribution agreement made – and after deciding to unveil the new equipment at the ongoing 2010 Clark County Parade of Homes – Hergert decided to donate his first shipment to the host of this year's event, Pioneer Canyon in Ridgefield.
"By donating our first shipment to the Pioneer Canyon, we are hoping to provide a good base of operations and to start on our goal by providing activities for the 700 potential families in the development," Hergert said.
G2 Outdoor Living will feature events and free tryouts of its outdoor exercise equipment in a 10,000-square-foot tent at this year's Parade of Homes, which will be held on Pioneer Canyon Drive in Ridgefield until July 25.
