Weider Nutrition Relocates to Arizona

GILBERT, Ariz.—Weider Global Nutrition moved its global corporate headquarters to Gilbert, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix, aiming to capitalize on the positive business climate in the country’s fifth largest metropolitan area. The company will retain its dedicated Costco office in Seattle and manufacturing operations in Los Angeles.

According to Rick Blaire, president and CEO of Weider, the decision to move was a simple one. “It was important to provide our existing and future employees a higher-quality of lifestyle, and Arizona is a pro-business community that provides our company a strong base to build upon for many years to come,” he explained. The move allowed the company to increase its capacity and efficiency by moving into warehouse facilities in the Phoenix area. It has also ramped up operations, hiring six new business managers in the past 18 months, with several of the new hires working out of the Arizona location. John Rizzo, a new vice president, is among the team members who will ensure Weider strengthens its relationships with its existing customers, even as it looks to expand its North American and global expansion strategy.

“As we grow, we will continue to reinvest capital in areas that help us expand the Weider brand,” Blair added. “We’ve got a new home and a keener focus on how best to serve our customer base. We’re in the perfect place to help customers manage their global supply chains. Our main area of focus now is a partnership with a major outlet in the convenient stores class of trade, and we're looking at the existing relationships with distribution channels and executing on a comprehensive marketing strategy for new products.”

Part of Weider’s marketing strategy includes hiring Zion & Zion, a Phoenix-based advertising and PR firm, to work with Weider’s in-house team to increase the company’s exposure through social media and traditional marketing channels. Weider Global Nutrition is a subsidiary of Weider Health & Fitness, a brand that encompasses magazines, sports nutrition products, nutritional supplements, equipment, sports sponsorships and licensing.