TSMA Yearbook 2018

35 Taiwan Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association the rapid development of gym clubs, sports centers, and sports and recreational activities. Statistical data from the Ministry of Finance show that the scale of fitness industry has grown from 131 businesses in 2011 to 299 businesses in 2016, with the revenue soaring from 2.13 billion in 2011 to 6.22 billion in 2016. Statistical data from the Sports Administration also indicate that, of all categories within sports and recreation, the population penetration rate for “health club equipment” has risen from 1.5% in 2011 to 3.1% in 2015. This wave of staying healthy and doing sports is likely to contribute to the growth of such penetration rate up to the same level as in Hong Kong and Singapore, both at about 4%. At the same time, local governments are actively planning and building public sports centers, not only to provide a place where interested citizens can try out fitness and aerobic exercise, but also to create demand for fitness industry. As people gradually develop the habit of regular exercises, they will naturally support and demand recreation and sports fitness centers that are both high quality and cost effective. In turn, this can bring about further progress of sports related manufacturing industry in Taiwan. Sports and recreational industry is an important industry with rapid development worldwide. According to the latest “2017 Health Club Business Handbook” released by International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association (IHRSA), revenues in global health, sports and fitness club businesses totaled around 83.1 billion US dollars in 2016. The fitness clubs continue to grow in the U.S. market, where membership increases from 20.7 million in 1992 to 57.2 million in 2016, with population penetration rate at 17.7%. Such robust performance in turn has acutely driven the demand for commercial grade fitness equipment. Sensing this trend, brand-name Taiwanese fitness equipment companies, such Johnson and Dyaco, are actively pursuing U.S. market share, which in turn benefits their