In late 2005 and early 2006, I,
James McBride, creator and owner of World Standard Fitness, received
emails from two leading fitness accessory manufacturers; Grizzly
Fitness and Harbinger Sports. The subject of these emails was
their interest in the potential licensing of my Canadian and U.S.
patents for the very first lifting strap to specifically incorporate
nonslip properties, otherwise known as the Rubberized Lifting
Strap. Both companies requested that I
send them samples of my straps. Although I obliged their
requests, neither
company licensed my patents for this very unique and popular
innovation.
Both companies now sell their own branded lifting
straps incorporating nonslip properties (the "Big Grip Lifting
Strap" and the " Super Grip Lifting Strap"). To quote from an email I
received in December 2005 from Andrew Riding (the GM of Grizzly Fitness
in 2005): "Remember, the choice is ultimately yours
as this is your baby. I personally like your product and think
that we can grow it for you."
To
quote from an email I received in January of 2006 from Michele Gaedke
(the VP of Product and Marketing for Habinger Sports in 2006):"It's quite a novel concept and one that
obviously has great merit. I can see why you have had interest in
this product. I would be happy to take a look at the strap just
to get a better visual appreciation of the design and construction.
After I have had a chance to see the product in person, I can give you
a better idea as to our level of interest."
In March of 2008, the Vancouver Sun published an article regarding my
company's story and this kind of business practice. To read the
entire article, please click the link below: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=b5c216f1-021f-4158-a547-a1759c9a4647&k=72769
It has been quite an uphill climb to take WSF to where it is today (to
read more about WSF's beginnings, please click here),
and I would like to thank all of my customers for their loyal support
over these many years. You
have helped to make WSF the success that it is today,
and I look forward to working with you for many years to come.