FuelBelt Ramps Up for the New Year

Durham, N.C. (December 08, 2015) – With theFuelBelt, Inc. acquisition last month,Implus LLC, the market leader in athletic, fitness, and outdoor accessories, is making great strides to integrate FuelBelt into the Implus Retail Specialty family. With its relocation, retailer distribution, price positioning and dedicated sales team, FuelBelt is gearing up for an exciting 2016.

Beginning early December, the FuelBelt brand will relocate to Durham, N.C. to join the Implus headquarters. All FuelBelt inventory will be housed in N.C. and will be a great addition to the Implus model of “One-Stop-Shop” solution for increased ease of doing business for its retail partners. With the expansion of Implus’ brand portfolio, orders will now be able to include numerous premium consumer-driven brands, including products fromBalega,TriggerPoint,Sof Sole and Yaktrax.

“We will now be able to offer all our retail partners and consumers easy access to Implus’ premium quality running accessories for a healthier and active lifestyle,” stated Bert Pictor, Senior VP of Specialty Retail. “We are repositioning price points on FuelBelt to offer retailers and consumers a much improved value proposition, in some cases up to 20 percent below current retail selling prices.” 

Implus Specialty Retail will be bolstering its dedicated sales team for the U.S. market in January with Paul Perrone, previously of the Genesis Agency, joining the team in a sales leadership position. Perrone brings an impressive 20-year career track record of leading sales teams and pioneering products. Perrone will focus on the Eastern U.S. territory alongside Megan Carson, who will lead the Western U.S. with her admirable sales experience within the run specialty market. Chris Bevin, VP of Specialty Retail Sales will focus his attention on key accounts and developing new strategies to improve service levels to its valued retail partners.

“Our goal in 2016 would be to help our retail partners grow their businesses,” stated Pictor. “The addition of Fuelbelt to our brand portfolio is another step closer in fulfilling this objective.”

About FuelBelt
FuelBelt, Inc. is the world leader in hydration belts and running accessories. Founded in 1997 by 36x Ironman finisher and 7-time Ironman World Championship participant, Vinu Malik, FuelBelt continues to serve the needs of endurance athletes across the globe. FuelBelts have been used to break world records, set personal bests, and have been used at the Olympic world stage, where every effort and every second counts. For more information, visitwww.fuelbelt.com. 

About Implus
Headquartered in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, Implus LLC has evolved to become an innovative provider of footwear, outdoor and fitness accessories to its retail partners. Implus’ family of brands includes Sof Sole, Yaktrax, apara, Airplus, Sneaker Balls, Sof Comfort, Little Hotties, Perfect, TriggerPoint, ICETrekkers, FuelBelt and Balega. From insoles, socks and shoe care to seasonal accessories and fitness solutions, Implus proudly distributes its brands to thousands of retail locations across the United States and worldwide. For more information, visitwww.implus.com.