In an industry dominated by international fitness equipment giants, one Chinese company has carved out a remarkable niche by specializing in what might seem like an unlikely product: trampolines. Qingdao Sanbaisuo Health Technology Co., Ltd. has transformed from an original design manufacturer (ODM) into a publicly traded company with its own globally recognized brand, demonstrating how focused specialization can lead to market dominance.
1. The Expanding Global Fitness Equipment Market
The worldwide fitness equipment industry continues to show strong growth potential. Market research indicates the global training fitness equipment market size grew steadily between 2016 and 2018, with projections reaching $14.8 billion by 2025 - a 44.67% increase from 2016 levels.
North America and Europe remain the primary consumption markets. Industry forecasts suggest North American fitness equipment spending will grow from approximately $494.3 million in 2022 to $643.9 million by 2027, representing a 30.27% increase. The European market shows similar potential, with expected growth from $399 million in 2022 to $498.8 million in 2027.
2. Trampolines: A High-Growth Niche
Within the broader fitness equipment sector, trampolines have emerged as a particularly dynamic segment. The global trampoline market expanded from $276 million in 2016 to $402 million in 2020, achieving a compound annual growth rate of 9.81%. Current projections estimate the market will reach $546 million by 2025.
3. From ODM to Brand Leader
While most Chinese manufacturers in the fitness equipment sector operate as ODMs serving international brands, Sanbaisuo has successfully transitioned to a dual model combining ODM production with its own branded products. Founded in June 2004 as Haisuo Steel & Plastic, the company underwent restructuring in December 2020 and now operates through 10 wholly-owned subsidiaries.
4. Product Strategy and Market Focus
Sanbaisuo specializes in the research, design, production and sales of recreational and fitness equipment, with a primary focus on overseas markets. The company serves major international retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Decathlon and Icon Health & Fitness, with the United States and France as its key markets.
Operating three domestic production bases, Sanbaisuo offers approximately 30 product series comprising over 1,000 individual items. Trampolines represent the company's flagship product line, accounting for about 60% of total revenue. In 2021 alone, Sanbaisuo sold more than 1.13 million trampoline units.
5. SKYWALKER: A Market-Dominating Brand
Through strategic partnerships with Amazon and Walmart, Sanbaisuo's SKYWALKER brand has become a top seller in the trampoline category. Many SKYWALKER product listings on Amazon feature tens of thousands of customer reviews, demonstrating strong market acceptance.
Market research confirms SKYWALKER's leadership position, with the brand capturing 12.15% of global trampoline sales in 2020 - the highest market share of any single brand.
6. Maintaining Competitive Advantage
Sanbaisuo maintains its market position through continuous investment in research, production and supply chain management. As of mid-2022, the company employed 1,133 staff, with production personnel comprising the majority to ensure manufacturing capacity and quality control.
7. Financial Performance and Market Challenges
From 2018 through 2021, Sanbaisuo demonstrated consistent revenue growth, with figures rising from 576 million yuan to 1.207 billion yuan. Net profits followed a similar upward trajectory, increasing from 50.49 million yuan to 129 million yuan during the same period.
However, external market conditions led to projected declines in both revenue and net profit during the first three quarters of 2022, with anticipated decreases of 34.31-44.12% and 17.96-29.02% respectively compared to the previous year.
8. Capital Markets and Future Development
Sanbaisuo's successful listing on China's Growth Enterprise Market raised approximately 1.063 billion yuan, which the company plans to allocate toward:
- Automation upgrades for trampoline production lines
- Construction of new recreational and wellness equipment production facilities
- Marketing network expansion and brand promotion
- Research and development center construction
- Working capital supplementation
9. Key Competitive Advantages
Sanbaisuo's success stems from several strategic advantages:
- Diverse product portfolio: Offering over 1,000 products across multiple recreational and fitness categories
- Quality assurance: Rigorous production management and quality control meeting international standards
- Brand recognition: SKYWALKER's established reputation in global trampoline markets
- Supply chain efficiency: Responsive production capabilities ensuring market demand fulfillment
- Innovation focus: Continuous product development addressing evolving market needs