Octane Founders Win Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Aw

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. – June 25, 2007 – Dennis Lee and Tim Porth, the founders of Octane Fitness, recently won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 Award in the consumer products category in the Minnesota and Dakotas region. Celebrating its five-year anniversary, Octane is a leading developer of multiple award-winning, premium elliptical cross trainers for home and commercial use.
“This award is a testament to our unique business model that is driven by product development and sales and service excellence,” said Lee, president of Octane Fitness. “Our focused strategy and passionate, talented team truly have yielded enormous growth and success.”
Currently in its 21st year, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who build and lead dynamic, growing businesses. An independent panel of judges selects winners in several categories.
As a region award winner, Lee and Porth will be considered for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 national program, where recipients will be announced at an annual awards gala November 17 in Palm Springs, Calif.
“Since we began the company, our mission has been resolute: to build the absolute best elliptical cross trainers in an incredibly competitive product category,” said Porth, Octane’s executive vice president of product development and marketing. “Over the years, our products have earned numerous awards, and we are thrilled to again be acknowledged for our achievements.”
Investing significant resources and tireless effort—along with an unwavering commitment to excellence—Lee and Porth launched Octane Fitness in 2001 in Lee’s basement. Today, Octane has 37 employees in the United States, an international subsidiary in The Netherlands and a new office in the United Kingdom.
“Ernst & Young is honored to recognize extraordinary business leaders, such as Dennis Lee and Tim Porth, and the company they have built,” said Wendy Fox, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program director for Minnesota and Dakotas.
About the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards
The Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 125 cities and 40 countries.
Octane Fitness Background
Together with more than 28 years of experience in the fitness industry, Dennis Lee and Tim Porth founded Octane Fitness in 2001. Fueled by a relentless passion to offer the best elliptical machines, the company is committed exclusively to delivering breakthrough, performance cross training—unlike any other fitness equipment manufacturer today. Elliptical cross trainers are the sole focus of Octane Fitness’ extensive research, development, testing and manufacturing—all ultimately to benefit exercisers with superior quality products; innovative, effective workouts and unparalleled personalized service.

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Images are available online; contact Julie King at 847.638.1582 or jking@octanefitness.com for access. Octane Fitness is a registered trademark of Octane Fitness.