Johnson Health Tech (JHT) has acquired its distributor, Matrix Fitness South Africa.

Following the deal, Taiwan-based JHT has become one of the first fitness equipment companies to have a wholly-owned subsidiary in Africa, reflecting the growth of the health and fitness market there.

John Frayne, a director of Matrix Fitness South Africa for the last 12 years, has been named MD of the new subsidiary.

Jason Lo, CEO of JHT, said: “We're committed to the development of health and fitness across Africa and are excited to have John lead our expansion as one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries."

In addition to Matrix, JHT's portfolio of brands include Horizon Fitness, Vision Fitness, Synca Wellness, Tempo Fitness and Johnson Fitness & Wellness.

John Frayne will be joined in the new business by Kyle Millroy, who has been named as vice president of sales. Millroy began his fitness career 10 years ago at Life Fitness.

HCM has tipped the African fitness market as the next big area for growth – watch out for our profile of Afrofit in the September issue of the magazine.

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