
For The Long Run ®
Page 2
WOODWAY® History
WOODWAY’s ® history began in Germany in 1974. Willi Schoenberger, a technical
director in charge of planning a fitness center, noticed that the most important piece
of equipment, the treadmill, did not meet the most important requirements: a
mechanically sound machine that is designed to meet human needs.
He envisioned a comfortable surface that did not interfere with the natural
biomechanics of running or walking. Also, he wanted to design a transportation
system which eliminated the friction associated with the conventional (conveyor
belt) treadmills. After intensive research, and trial and error (and in cooperation with
the Deutsche Sporthochschule in Koln, Germany), Willi developed and patented a
very unique and revolutionary treadmill design.
In 1975, WOODWAY® GMBH was founded in Weil am Rhein, Germany. The name
“WOODWAY”® is derived from the German “wald weg” or “way of the woods” – the
feel of running on a soft pine needle covered path in the forest.
In 1983, a manufacturing license was awarded to Sakai Medical, for the use of
WOODWAY® technology in the Japanese marketplace.
In 1988, a U.S. license was granted to a small, but well-established manufacturing
company in Waukesha, Wisconsin. WOODWAY® USA was formed when the U.S.
incarnation of the WOODWAY® was developed and completed in 1990. WOODWAY®
USA is very proud to be the primary manufacturer of WOODWAY® Treadmills
worldwide, exporting treadmills each month to Germany and Japan for international
distribution, in addition to serving our domestic customers and clients.
Today, WOODWAY’s ® design and manufacturing facilities in the United States,
Germany and Japan make WOODWAY® the largest specialized treadmill
manufacturer in the world. Constant enhancements in quality, design and function
are shared and implemented by all three WOODWAY® manufacturers.
See “Contact Information” on page 16 for WOODWAY® Customer Service
information.