In PM-International’s event-calendar, the Americas Congress is one of the major events every year. Here, CEO & FIn PM-International’s event-calendar, the Americas Congress is one of the major events every year. Here, CEO & Founder Rolf Sorg presents the latest business figures, innovations, and company news to the distribution partners. For the first time ever, the 2021 Americas Congress took place as a hybrid event. More than 3,000 people joined the event live in Sarasota, FL and via live stream on PM TV.
Experiencing market potential
At the beginning of his presentation, CEO & Founder Rolf Sorg gave the audience a brief look at what could be possible in the future when talking about the company’s market potential: “For the Americas, we are talking about 4.3 million core customers with a turnover exceeding $9 billion! With more than 18 million potential core customers globally, we are looking at a turnover of roughly $42 billion! So, there is still a lot of potential for further growth!” Rolf Sorg is confident that PM-International is on the right track for a bright future: In the first 9 months of 2021, PM-International’s turnover figures are up 42% compared to 2020.
Behind this growth are several hundred thousand independent PM-International distribution partners worldwide who share PM-International’s values with their commitment. Rolf Sorg thanked them for their commitment and trust: “Thank you for the great work you are doing! Thanks to you, we are clearly on course for our second billion in sales. I’m really proud to be working with you toward our great goal of making the world a bit better each day!”
New market openings and worldwide expansion
PM-International is expanding further in 2021. Following the opening of a new branch in the UK in the summer, market openings in Bolivia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Belgium, Indonesia, China, as well as several markets on the African continent are next on the agenda. Additionally, the company also invested heavily in expansion in Central and South America with additional warehouses and administrative buildings. “But that’s not all we invested in”, explained Rolf Sorg. “We also hired three new General Managers for the Americas to strengthen our foundation and form closer bonds between our company, Team Partners, and customers. Thierry Sorhaïtz (GM Sales USA and Canada), Edgardo Erazo (GM Sales Latin America), and Dr. Andreas Boettcher (GM Science) are a great addition to our leadership team and their experience will help us to grow in the Americas!”
New product: FitLine C-Balance
At the European Congress, Rolf Sorg introduced a new and revolutionary product of the FitLine brand: FitLine C-Balance. “This product will have a massive impact on the lives of millions of people! It is the first time that we have taken the lead in developing a product completely from A to Z ourselves. From basic scientific research to the finished product!” Rolf Sorg proudly stated. PM-International invested 9 years and more than 3 million Euros in the development of this unique product in cooperation with several universities and laboratories. “FitLine C-Balance was created to enjoy life to the fullest,” says Rolf Sorg. “It supports carbohydrate metabolism* and balances blood sugar levels**. It will accompany you in your daily challenges,” he added.
PM-International’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Tobias Kühne and leading experts Dr. Andreas Boettcher (expert for nutrition and exercise) as well as Prof. Dr. Manfred Eggersdorfer (Professor for healthy ageing) spoke on stage about the development phases and scientific research that went into the product.
In his introduction, Dr. Andreas Boettcher pointed out the products’ impact on the daily lives of millions of people: “We all want to move around the world and lead active lives. We can see that our daily lives are affected by what we eat, including carbohydrates. We have all been affected, at least once, by the decrease in our performance after a meal. This increase in blood sugar levels after a meal could be the reason why you feel tired. FitLine C-Balance balances blood sugar levels** and supports carbohydrate metabolism*.”
“We tested several hundred plant extracts and ingredients using a special in vitro cell system. The extract of the guava plant was the most effective. These groundbreaking results were published in several scientific journals, including NUTRIENTS and MOLECULAR NUTRITION AND FOOD RESEARCH. Our joint research results were an important basis for these publications, which were the foundation for several patents,” added Dr. Tobias Kühne.
“Bioavailability is our core competence”, said Dr. Kühne, “and the C-Balance is no exception.” The company’s exclusive Nutrient Transport Concept (NTC®) delivers the nutrients exactly when they are needed and where they are needed – to the cellular level, from inside and out. “All of these benefits are accompanied by a fresh and delicious Guava taste which our customers love”, concludes Dr. Tobias Kühne.
PM-International has been conducting research in the field of bioavailability for more than 20 years, both with its own team of scientists from the fields of nutritional sciences, cell research, and food technology, and through research collaborations with the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, the Vienna University of Technology, and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology.
New sports partners
“PM-International, the FitLine brand, and sports just go hand in hand”, mentioned Rolf Sorg during his presentation. In the recent Summer & Para Games in Tokyo, 83 athletes supported by FitLine won medals (15 gold, 5 silver, and 33 bronze). “Athletes trust in FitLine because the products are safe to use, and they achieve and experience great results with them”, Sorg explained. All FitLine nutritional supplement products are on the prestigious Cologne List®. This list publishes products that have been tested for doping substances by one of the world’s leading laboratories for the analysis of nutritional supplements. The Cologne List® offers athletes and companies an independent service platform where information is published transparently to increase safety for both sides.
“We are delighted that more and more sports organizations and athletes trust FitLine – and we are proud to see the success of these collaborations,” says Sorg. Since mid-2021, FitLine has also become the outfitter of the Korea Paralympic Committee, the Swiss Sports Aid, and numerous other individual athletes.
*Zinc contributes to normal carbohydrate metabolism **Chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels.
Image caption: From left to right: Thierry Sorhaïtz, new GM Sales USA and Canada, Edgardo Erazo, new GM Sales Latin America, Sammy El Ghoul, CSO Americas, Rolf Sorg CEO and Founder