arkema is a leading specialty chemicals and advanced materials company headquartered in colombes , near paris , france .

created in 2004 when french oil major total restructured its chemicals business , arkema was introduced at the paris stock exchange in may 2006 .

with a turnover of 7.7 billion € , arkema has 19,000 employees in more than 50 countries , 13 research centers worldwide , and a total of 137 production plants in europe , north america and asia .

arkema is organized into three business segments : coating solutions , industrial chemicals and performance products .

arkema

as the biggest industrial site of arkema worldwide , arkema changshu site includes several different arkema plants on this platform .
arkema ( ake - euronext paris ) arkema ( fr0013222932 ) arkema s . a . ( adr ) ( arkay - otc bulletin board )
in 1880 , the most common arkema occupation in the usa was laborer . 100 % of arkema ' s were laborers .
2004 : creation of arkema , following the reorganisation of the total group’s chemical branch . kem one’s current business developed as part of arkema’s vinyl products division
arkema ' s main research and development facilities in the united states provide critical support to operations at arkema ' s 30 + sites in the americas .
arkema group was created in 2004 as a result of the reorganization of total ' s chemicals business , but the predecessor of arkema entered china in 1984 .
arkema statement on final report by u . s . chemical safety board - crosby
a fire burns at the arkema chemical in crosby , texas , last week .
arkema inc . ' s pilot plants develop research concepts for real world production .
arkema proposes to buy total ' s adhesive company bostik for euro 1 . 74 bn
looking for a career at arkema china ? visit our career page for more information .
arkema spurs renewed momentum by refocusing on specialty chemicals and divests its vinyl business segment .
coatex’s businesses offer strong synergies with arkema and represent a downstream activity of arkema’s acrylic monomer production sites in bayport , texas , and carling , france , the company said .
for more information on bostik and arkema’s synergies , call 800 - 7 - bostik .
arkema : bostik acquires floor preparation systems from cgm , inc . in the united states
what advice would you give to anyone who wanted to work for arkema inc . ?
arkema has an innovative approach to relationships between the group , its facilities and their environment .
arkema china has achieved tremendous development and historic milestones through internal growth projects and selective acquisitions .
arkema china has 8 facilities throughout the region , specializing in chemical industry solutions and applications .
nick walker , one of arkema inc . ' s first developmental sales program graduates , provides insight into his time as a sales representative for arkema inc . ' s fluoropolymers division .
arkema was set up in italy in 1930 and for the last 10 years has operated in the country under the name arkema . methyl methacrylate , polymethyl methacrylate , ammonium sulfate and organic peroxides represents the group’s specialties in the country . all arkema srl products are marketed in europe .
arkema boosts its presence in asia and intensifies its r & d efforts in china . arkema lays the foundation stone of a new research and development center on its changshu site near shanghai .
arkema ' s envia ® program helps its client formulators to reach their targets related to sustainable development . envia ® products are self - certified by arkema to have the following guaranteed characteristics :
both bostik and arkema have individually worked to protect building exteriors . bostik manufactures best - in - class sealant products , and arkema offers industry - standard kynar ® resin - based coatings .
arkema launches into the development of cutting edge technologies for the nautical sector . a human and technological adventure begins with the sponsorship of the arkema - région aquitaine multi50 trimaran and team lalou multi .
arkema gmbh produces hydrogen peroxide , odorants , organic peroxides and coating resins on 5 industrial platforms .
the products manufactured in the german plants are marketed worldwide from the düsseldorf headquarters of arkema gmbh .
the kirchheimbolanden branch office of arkema gmbh has been operating in the kirchheimbolanden commercial park since 1993 .
interested in arkema sa . ( epa : ake ) ? here’s what its recent performance looks like
arkema celebrates its # 10years ! tenth years after being publicly listed , arkema has become an innovative , agile , global chemical producer with a regionally balanced portfolio , providing specialty chemicals and advanced materials .
between 1966 and 2003 , arkema life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1976 , and highest in 2002 . the average life expectancy for arkema in 1966 was 53 , and 79 in 2003 .
bostik , the world’s n° 3 in industrial adhesives , is arkema’s largest acquisition , completed in february 2015 . this new arkema business contributes to the group’s ambition to become world leader in specialty chemicals .
since july 2011 the site of arkema coating resins ( formerly cray valley kunstharze gmbh ) in zwickau has complemented arkema gmbh’s product range with a plant producing solvent - borne resins and waterborne resin dispersions .
comments from rich rowe , president & ceo , arkema inc . on our site in crosby , texas
arkema officials told reporters monday that 100 families were helped to find housing since the evacuations began tuesday .
o be absorbed into your lung tissue . then arkema ' s filthy toxins will flow through your bloodstrea
the case was closed several months ago . arkema did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
2 years after the company’s creation , the adventure continues with arkema’s listing on the paris stock market .
a global chemical company and france’s leading chemicals producer , arkema consists of three strategically related businesses : vinyl products , industrial chemicals , and performance products . arkema reports sales of 5 . 7 billion euros . arkema has 15 , 200 employees in over 40 countries and six research centers located in france , the united states and japan . with internationally recognized brands , arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets .
arkema designs materials and innovative solutions for the construction industry , including coating solutions , adhesives and sealants .
the new chinese lab of caotex and arkema emulsion systems will provide support for coatings formulation and evaluation .
in working with arkema , bostik has designed its own piece that also features arkema’s kynar aquatec ® coating to prevent moisture from seeping into the mosaic and bostik’s pro - ms 50 sealant to waterproof it .
arkema’s offer for bostik includes clear undertakings to continue operations sustainably and safeguard existing jobs and employee benefits .
arkema : bostik acquires floor preparation systems from cgm , inc . in the united states | business wire
arkema inc . ' s process technologies ensure the safest and most advanced production techniques throughout our facilities .
discover how arkema inc . has grown into a company with thousands of products used in hundreds of applications that touch millions of lives each day . see here the creation of the arkema group from our global site .
the arkema group is the world ' s largest supplier of fluorinated blowing agents for the rigid foam market .
arkema inc . was officially launched in 2004 , but has been producing industry and specialty chemicals since the 1800s .
bostik and arkema have also begun sharing marketing strategies , which has opened up new relationships for both companies . for example , bostik and arkema have started to co - exhibit at various trade shows such as metalcon and ire .
arkema recently organized its operations into three business segments : high - performance materials , industrial specialties and coating solutions .
the arkema inc . facility in torrance supplies latex emulsions to manufacturers of coatings , adhesives , and construction products .
the activities of arkema group are organized into three segments : high performance materials , industrial specialties and coating solutions .
in your opinion , what are the main qualities that you need to grow your career at arkema inc . ?
arkema inc . ' s analytical and systems research uses a variety of techniques to develop new products and processes .
see the feature articles of this online edition for an in - depth interview with arkema coating resins’ global group president .
with its main research center in changshu , jiangsu , arkema stays close to the local customers and brings efficient support .
arkema developed kynar aquatec® , an aqueous pvdf / acrylic emulsion that can be applied to a broad range of substrates .
arkema inc . has over two dozen facilities throughout the united states , supplying industry with specialized solutions and improved applications .
our research and development center in cary provides the arkema coating resins business unit with research and strategic developments in coatings .
the headquarters of arkema deutschland gmbh are located in düsseldorf and provide all central services for the facilities and business units .
victory for team arkema lalou multi ! skippers lalou roucayrol and alex pella win the transat jacques vabre 2017 race on board the trimaran multi50 arkema . the pair complete the legendary coffee race in 10 days 19 hrs 14 min and 19 s .
arkema is committed to taking every possible step to find solutions for everyone concerned , in particular through internal or external redeployment .
arkema recognises that changes in resins and glues have fundamentally transformed various sectors , including construction , transportation , and consumer products .
arkema bostik uk pension trustee limited . free business summary taken from official companies house information . free alerts . registered as 09333214
the anagni plant , in lazio , is a recent acquisition of the arkema group , specializing in the organic peroxides production .
arkema inc . is committed to developing solutions today for tomorrow’s societal needs . dedicated to sustainable growth and development , two thirds of arkema ' s r & d efforts are focused on sustainability , via six primary , forward - looking innovation platforms :
arkema inc . ’s analytical and systems research supports new process and technology development in the americas through a variety of techniques .
with an roe of 12 . 99 % , has arkema sa . ’s ( epa : ake ) management done well ?
arkema china produces specialty chemicals for asian customers with 6 facilities , in different cities , specializing in chemical industry solutions and applications .
arkema is one of the world leaders in materials for the coatings industry . coating resins is a global products line of the arkema group , offering an extensive range of products to support customers in the coatings , adhesives , inks , and construction products markets .
in the forefront of research , the arkema group is a regular recipient of prizes for its innovations , in france and abroad .
since arkema acquired bostik in february 2015 , these two global leaders have started building synergies that improve both companies as a whole .
arkema inc . ’s research and development team strives to create an industry standard as a leader in technology and advancement in sciences .
the cary , nc research and development center provides strategic direction and innovative research in support of the arkema coating resins ( acr ) business unit . the facilities at cary provide support to arkema ' s r & d ; efforts in the americas and worldwide .
arkema’s combined shareholders general meeting was held on 7 june under the chairmanship of thierry le hénaff , chairman and chief executive officer .
the zacks analyst blog highlights : kronos worldwide , kraton , ingevity , w . r . grace and arkema s . a .
i applied for the job at arkema because it fit what i was looking for . the developmental sales program provided extensive training and invested in me as an employee . sales at arkema are b to b industrial sales , and that fit my personality very well .
arkema bolsters its positions in the asian market with the creation of sunke in partnership with jurong chemical , acrylic acid leader in china .
le hénaff also confirmed that arkema would pursue its “operational excellence initiatives” which are aimed at offsetting part of the inflation on fixed costs .
ceca arkema grouptel : 33 01 49 00 38 00 fax : 33 01 49 00 38 01 email : info . ceca @ urltoken
both bostik and arkema are excited to further develop and continue to work together to benefit the construction market with the companies’ quality products .
the arkema research center in king of prussia , pa places a strong emphasis on support to its businesses , customers , and employees .
the job of development / application engineers is to make sure that arkema’s solutions and products meet customer expectations and respond to market trends .
arkema’s acquisition from total of coatings resins from both cray valley and cook composites and polymers and the photocure resins of sartomer is now final .
on thursday evening , arkema said the evacuation zone remained in place and that there was
evidence suggesting
other fires may break out .
initiated by bostik in 2013 , the laboratory - house project for sustainable construction has now become a reality with the smart house by arkema .
by 2020 , the arkema group is aiming to become one of the global leaders in speciality chemicals and to generate sales of €10 billion .
in arkema mexico matamoros the workers are very upset about the salaries and this past month in may they paid us very little money in utilities .
this project would entail the loss of 41 positions across the various arkema france facilities , and the creation of 24 positions in the lyon region .
arkema is the world leader in the production of pvdf ( polyvinylidene fluoride ) resins . this range of thermoplastic resins exhibits exceptional properties , in particular weathering resistance , chemical resistance , and superior mechanical properties in a wide range of temperatures . arkema markets its production under the kynar ® brand .
with its wet labeling range , arkema coating resins offers an efficient solution to partially or totally replace casein in your cold glues for bottle labeling .
the new asia - pacific coatings application laboratory of coatex and arkema in changshu , china , will provide technical support to coatings customers . . .
the arkema gmbh günzburg facility , close to ulm , has been producing an extensive range of organic peroxides under the tradename luperox ® since 1955 .
arkema in italy has 7 plants ( rho , porto marghera , spinetta marengo , boretto , ficarolo , gissi and anagni ) . as a responsible corporate citizen , arkema is committed to safety as a priority and to providing all relevant information to the public in the event of an incident .
faced with the depletion of fossil fuel resources , arkema is working to develop new energies , products created from renewable raw materials and lightweight materials which save energy . faced with a rising world population and increasing water shortages , arkema also continues to work on new water treatment and conservation solutions .
arkema is a global , diversified chemicals manufacturer with expertise in the production of nylon and nylon derivatives , among many other materials . with its north american subsidiary headquarters in king of prussia , pennsylvania , arkema adds high performance materials to the polyone distribution portfolio , both close to home and worldwide .
paris – arkema’s acquisition from total of coatings resins from both cray valley and cook composites and polymers and the photocure resins of sartomer is now final .
arkema k . k . and central glass co . ltd . launch distribution agreement for forane ® 1233zd foam blowing agents and heat transfer products in japan
2012 : in july , arkema divests vinyl business to the klesch group . creation of kem one , a new company fully integrated in the vinyl sector
a culture of innovation , closeness to customers and a willingness to continually adapt to a changing world are part of arkema ' s dna .
arkema provides practical and economical solutions , including glues , adhesives , grouts and sealants , and related technologies , that comply with technical and environmental standards .
the arkema group generates annual revenues of €7 . 5 billion , and holds leadership positions in all its markets with a portfolio of internationally recognized brands .
arkema coating resins in grand rapids produces a range of resin technologies that are used in construction and architectural coatings , traffic paints , and many others .
thierry lemonnier , chief financial officer , then presented arkema’s excellent financial performance in 2015 and early 2016 , and confirmed the group’s outlook for the year .
the share capital of arkema at 31 december 2017 is composed of 75 , 870 , 506 shares corresponding to 85 , 632 , 241 voting rights .
take a deep breath within a couple of miles of the crosby arkema plant . hold your breath for 5 - 10 seconds so that the cancer - cau
arkema inc . in blooming prairie , minnesota produces a range of sustainable products , such as epoxidized soybean and linseed oils for a variety of industrial uses .
the arkema inc . plant in crosby produces quality organic peroxides used to make acrylic resins and other plastics , and can be found in some consumer products .
a global supplier , the arkema inc . facility in houston makes linear and tertiary mercaptans and carbon disulfide for use in insecticides , herbicides , and fungicides .
arkema inc . ’s plant located in pineville , louisiana produces odortech natural gas and propane odorants used by municipalities , natural gas pipeline companies , and others .
arkema inc . ’s west chester plant makes acrylate and methacrylate monomers and oligomers for inks , coatings , electronics , adhesives , sealants and many other applications .
epa also sent its aerial surveillance aircraft to test resulting smoke from the fires at arkema epa’s plane instrumentation is capable of measuring 78 different chemicals , including peroxides .
through its acrylics activity , arkema produces and markets intermediate products ( acids and esters ) for the chemical industry . it also supplies cationic monomers for water treatment .
* arkema : bostik acquires floor preparation systems from cgm , inc . in the united states source text for eikon : further company coverage : ( gdynia newsroom )
i see my future at arkema much like the 6 month rotation i went through . there will be challenging times , rewarding times , and times for growth .
the controlled burn at arkema inc . was ordered sunday to allow crews to stop waiting and get to work assessing the threat at the flooded facility , authorities said .
m . arkema is now a part of you . when they remove the tumor , if you ' re still alive , mail it to them as a souvenir .
a global chemical company and france’s leading chemicals producer , arkema has 137 production sites and 13 research centers across some 50 countries and employs around 19 , 200 people .
by working together , bostik and arkema are able to further plans of improving exterior building construction overall . furthermore , this relationship’s value extends beyond the two companies’ goals .
arkema’s offer values bostik ( wholly owned by total ) at €1 . 74 billion ( around $ 2 . 25 billion ) , representing 11 times the company’s ebitda .
the site is the largest export branch of arkema gmbh . more than 80 % of leuna‘s production is sold outside germany . approximately 160 people are employed in günzburg .
with r & d centers in three geographic divisions around the world , arkema is recruiting a number of employees in the area of research and development . join us !
smoke rises from the arkema chemical plant friday in crosby , texas , after hurricane harvey ' s floodwaters knocked out equipment used to cool the plant ' s volatile chemicals .
the group acquires the sartomer and cray valley specialty resins activities ( paints and coatings ) from the total group . these acquisitions provide arkema with new growth drivers in asia .
organized in three business segments , arkema is focused on targeted acquisitions , innovation and emerging markets in order to fulfil its aim to become a global leader in specialty chemicals .
i see my future at arkema much like the 6 month rotation i went through . there will be challenging times , rewarding times , and times for growth .
arkema shut down the facility as hurricane harvey approached last week . it also evacuated employees and residents within 1 . 5 miles of the plant as a precaution after it flooded .
the arkema group is one of the world leaders in the production of acrylic monomers . thanks to their unique properties , these products contribute to the comfort of daily life by :
houston ( icis news ) - - french chemicals producer arkema has completed the acquisition of coatex , a manufacturer of high valued added acrylic polymers , the company said on monday .
bostik’s americas industrial adhesives unit , however , offers 915 , a product that is miami - dade county product control approved and can adhere to arkema’s kynar resin - based coatings .
let ' s put arkema s . a . ( arkay ) stock into this equation and find out if it is a good choice for value - oriented investors right now .
census records can tell you a lot of little known facts about your arkema ancestors , such as occupation . occupation can tell you about your ancestor ' s social and economic status .
the arkema group is one of the world’s leading producers of fluorochemicals . its forane ® range of products includes refrigerants , foam blowing agents for foams , solvents and propellants for aerosols .
this unique house concept is designed to test and develop new solutions for constructions , as well as allow arkema and bostik to demonstrate their know - how regarding materials and energy efficiency .
at the shows , bostik and arkema promote building construction systems as a whole . by having aligned messages , both companies further building longevity and support symbiotic relationships between coatings and sealants .
paris : total has received an offer from the french group arkema , one of the world’s major players in specialty chemicals , to acquire its bostik affiliate , a global adhesives company .
the arkema gmbh kirchheimbolanden branch operates a plant for the conditioning of hydrogen peroxide . approximately 10 employees run this unit . product tradenames include albone ® , peroxal ® and valsterene ® .
arkema’s crosby plant produces liquid organic peroxides that are used in the manufacturing of thermoplastics , which are in turn used in a range of products from cars to food packaging to cleaning products .
products produced from the liquid organic peroxides made at the arkema crosby plant , include countertops , acrylic - based paints , polystyrene cups and plates , pvc for pipes , packaging and siding .
arkema is one of three global producers of waterborne and solvent resins for paints , and through its coatex subsidiary , one of the leading manufacturers of rheological additives for waterborne formulations and processes .
altuglas international arkema group sas of la garenne - colombes at euroshop 2017 in düsseldorf - - euroshop - world´s no . 1 retail trade fair - next event : feb 16 - 20 2020
the arkema plant in chester , formerly coatex ® and polacryl , lcc , manufactures low - voc resin technologies and additives for formulators of coatings , finishes , sealants , adhesives and others .
the group gets involved on several campus , all over the world . arkema has partnerships with yamagata university in japan , donghua university in shanghai or the the hanyang university in south corea .
altuglas international relies on the strong and solid business network of arkema group . a network that combines its skills and experience to create a true technological synergy , making advancements in the industry !
on may 24 , 2018 , the u . s . chemical safety board ( csb ) completed an eight - month investigation by issuing its final report on the events that took place at arkema’s crosby , texas site as a result of hurricane harvey . arkema’s response to that report , and four fact sheets summarizing key aspects of the report , can be found to the right .
bostik ( arkema subsidiary ) acquires xl brands , a leading company for soft flooring adhesives in the united states . with this latest acquisition , the group actively pursues its development strategy in specialties .
arkema inc . officially launched in 2004 , but the company said it traces its roots back to the 1850s when it was founded as the pennsylvania salt manufacturing company by five quakers in philadelphia .
as a global integrated leader in pmma ( polymethyl methacrylate ) , also called “acrylic glass” , altuglas international , a subsidiary of arkema , develops innovative products which meet the needs of its customers .
role in jospel : arkema will propose to reduce thermal conductivity of glazing and more specifically use its new grade of altuglas shieldup material , which is impact resistant but with no haze with temperature .
arkema is a long - time solution provider in the paints , coatings and adhesives market , focusing on ways to maximize durability , chemical resistance and operational efficiency , while increasing customer cost savings .
arkema coating resins offers a range of pressure sensitive adhesives ( psa ) to provide the right balance of adhesion , cohesion and tack required for the manufacture of psa tapes , labels and films .
before joining arkema , i was a student at florida state university . i majored in professional sales and hospitality management . while at florida state i was a member of the florida state sales team . the sales team is a competitive team comprised of the top 10 % of students within the major . i was able to find out about arkema though the lead professor of my major .
king of prussia , pa houses arkema ' s u . s . headquarters and main research and development facility in the americas . the site plays a large role in arkema ' s r & d ; activities . the researchers and scientists work to develop state - of - the - art specialty chemicals and polymers , providing customers with new , practical solutions to the challenges they face .
coatex and arkema emulsion systems have announced the opening of a new asia - pacific coatings application laboratory in changshu , china , to provide technical support to their coatings customers in the region . the new facility will host a technical team with expertise in all of the companies’ technologies and applications . the team will be fully dedicated to providing support for coatings formulation and evaluation to customers . both businesses are part of the arkema group and their product lines for the coatings market are highly complementary . arkema emulsion systems focuses on latex binders , while coatex is entirely dedicated to water - based rheology additives . on the same changshu site , a water - based rheology modifier plant will be operational in the coming months , followed in 2012 by latex production lines for arkema emulsion systems products .
arkema fosters interaction with its stakeholders , and innovates around 6 solution - oriented research platforms which shape the group ' s r & d to address the major global trends today and in the future .
arkema has world - class production capacities in the u . s , europe and asia totaling more than 400 , 000 tons per year . all production facilities are iso 9001 and iso 14001 certified .
coatex employs a staff of 300 people worldwide and had sales of €150m ( $ 214m ) last year . arkema has sales in the range of €5 . 7bn per year , the company said .
arkema france today presented to the central works council a project for the future organization of its goods and services procurement , aimed at centralizing within the lyon region all purchasing functions for its various industrial sites .
in a steadily growing adhesives market , bostik’s development drive and the synergies identified between the two groups will enable arkema to continue strengthening its profile as well as its resilience to changes of the economic environment .
arkema’s combined shareholders general meeting was held on 7 june under the chairmanship of thierry le hénaff , chairman and chief executive officer . the shareholders adopted all resolutions recommended by the board of directors , including :
the king of prussia research location is the primary r & d location for arkema inc . in north america . the campus is occupied by over 140 r & d employees , comprising the research teams from many business units within arkema inc . these teams are engaged in research activities that focus not only on the regional needs in the americas , but are involved in research programs that have global significance as well .
the latest emergency unfolded in crosby , texas , northeast of houston , wednesday when officials said they have no way to prevent an explosion at a chemical plant as floodwaters inundated the facility owned by arkema inc .
arkema is a global chemical manufacturer and a producer of other kinds of industrial materials with more than two dozen facilities in the united states , including two in texas , one in crosby and another in bayport .
census records can give you a fascinating window into the day - to - day lives of your arkema ancestors - like hours worked per week , level of education , veteran status , employers , and more .
arkema is a worldwide european chemical actor with about 14 , 000 employees spread across 40 countries . the company’s activities are organized into three business segments : high performance materials , industrial specialties , and coating solutions . through the subsidy altuglas international , arkema is dedicated to acrylic glass within industrial specialties . among others , altuglas has developed a nanostructured material based on controlled radical polymerization of block copolymers leading to altuglas’ shieldup material .
a subsidiary of the arkema group , mlpc international has been developing its expertise in the chemistry of cs2 ( carbon disulfide ) , cncl ( cyanogen chloride ) and s2cl2 ( amines ) for almost sixty years .
on sunday , arkema and the harris county fire marshal ' s office said the six remaining trailers were degrading but had
failed to ignite completely ,
forcing hazard assessment teams to stay out of the plant .
to get it over with , the company said ,
a decision was made by arkema inc . in coordination with unified command to take proactive measures to initiate ignition of the remaining trailers through controlled means .
to assist with its customers’ growth , ceca , an arkema subsidiary , announces a project to double specialty molecular sieve capacity at its honfleur site in france , i . e . some 60 million euro capital expenditure .
arkema has posted a 12 . 5 % year - on - year growth in earnings ( ebitda ) at a “record high” of €1 . 19bn for the full fiscal year 2016 , the company announced 28 feb .
arkema coating resins offers efficient solutions to fulfill the needs of the wood and paper markets through a broad portfolio of homopolymer and copolymer emulsions which cover all the main application processes thanks to a wide range of viscosities .
arkema provides materials and technologies for architectural and industrial coatings , building and decorative paints , transportation , marine and maintenance coatings , traffic paints , adhesives and sealants , electronics , textiles , non - wovens and leather .
arkema offers waterborne , solvent - borne , photo - cure , high solids , and powder - coating resins , as well as additives and rheology modifiers , acrylic monomers , and a wide range of specialty materials .
this heavily application - and customer - oriented r & d is regularly rewarded . in january 2018 , and for the seventh year in a row , arkema joined the 2017 top 100 global innovators from clarivate analytics .
the french national research agency ( anr ) , the french environment and energy management agency ( ademe ) , or the bpifrance ( public company providing financing aid for innovative projects ) work hand in hand with arkema .
understanding how arkema sa . ( enxtpa : ake ) is performing as a company requires looking at more than just a years’ earnings . today i will run you through a basic sense check toread more . . .
the arkema günzburg site makes regular donations to the municipal school system as well as to various community associations for organized sports and other leisure activities . contributions extend to co - sponsoring of the annual „kultursommer der stadt günzburg“ festival as well as to close cooperation of the site’s firefighters with the local fire departments in günzburg and wasserburg . in partnership with günzburg’s adult education center , arkema offers organized tours of the plant to the general public .
he also said that the integration of speciality adhesive company bostik , which was bought in july 2016 , had enabled arkema to achieve the earnings growth it had set for itself for the acquisition a year ahead of schedule .
through its worldwide presence , arkema offers one of the most comprehensive service , including reliable and customized logistics , safe handling expertise and technical support for process optimization and storage practices . with research centers equipped with the most advanced technology in king of prussia ( pa , us ) and in lyon ( france ) arkema is a leader in the development of new applications for growing markets and offers a comprehensive range of h 2 o 2 market solutions including :
in light of the quality of the project , total has granted arkema an exclusivity period to pursue the offer , and it will be presented to the relevant employee representatives , as part of the required information and consultation procedures .
an international player and france’s leading chemicals company , arkema is aiming to become a world leader in specialty chemicals . its growth strategy is based on innovation , an increased presence in emerging markets and targeted acquisitions in new activities .
the arkema gmbh vastorf branch supplies the entire german market and that of neighbouring countries with odorants for natural gas and lpg . for customers located in germany , a free container pick - up and delivery service is provided nationwide .
king of prussia , pa has been home to arkema inc . ' s research center since 1992 and was the r & d home for predecessor company , pennwalt , since the 1950’s . located approximately 20 miles outside philadelphia , in the vicinity of historic valley forge national park , the arkema inc . campus resides on more than 40 acres within a short distance of major highways for the philadelphia area and a short drive to the philadelphia international airport .
arkema sa . ( enxtpa : ake ) , a chemicals company based in france , received a lot of attention from a substantial price movement on the enxtpa in the over the last few months , increasingread more . . .
the cray valley and cook composites and polymers resins will join the emulsion systems business unit as part of a new structure named arkema coating resins , while the sartomer activities ( photocure resins ) will make up a new business unit .
the arkema group was created in october 2004 , following the reorganization of total’s chemicals branch . thanks to innovation , targeted acquisitions and investments in emerging countries , it has become a recognized world player in the field of specialty chemicals .
arkema reaffirms its expertise in thiochemicals ( sulfur derivatives ) technologies with the commissioning of the kerteh plant in malaysia . the site produces dmds ( dimethyl disulfide ) and methyl mercaptan ( used as a synthesis intermediate in animal feed ) .
arkema acquires the dutch company den braven , a leader in high performance sealants for insulation and construction in europe . with this acquisition integrated into its subsidiary bostik , the group actively pursues the development of its high performance materials division .
contact polyone distribution experts for guidance on designing durable and cost - effective products using arkema materials , or to learn more about how we can optimize your sourcing and minimize lead times with a fully - connected network of stocked warehouses .
the r & d ; expertise that arkema brings to us helps us develop ever more glues referred to as
smart adhesives
, or multifunctional glues , which do a great deal more than just stick things together .
every year , arkema applies for patents on nearly 200 innovations , which concern new chemicals and their formulas , synthesis and manufacturing processes or new applications for products . securing patent protection for its innovations has strategic importance for the group .
analytical and systems research provides state - of - the - art analytical services to researchers in the various business units within arkema inc . , our manufacturing facilities and our customers . view the dedicated analytical solutions site for more information .
arkema , a chemical and materials company , made about €7 . 5 billion ( $ 9 billion ) in sales last year and employs almost 20 , 000 workers worldwide . more than a third of its sales came from north america .
a designer of materials and innovative solutions , arkema shapes materials and creates new uses that accelerate customer performance in lightweight and designed materials , biosourced materials , new energies , water management , solutions for electronics , and performance and home insulation .
the start up of the new thiochemicals platform in kerteh in malaysia complements arkema’s two sites , in europe ( lacq in france ) and in the united states ( beaumont ) . for the first time arkema now has thiochemicals industrial capacities in asia , close to fast - growing markets . the site produces methyl mercaptan for use in the manufacture of biomethionine for the animal feed market as well as dmds earmarked for asia’s petrochemicals and refining players ( lien vers page marché ) .
the board of directors of arkema met on 27 february 2017 to close the group’s consolidated accounts for 2016 and the annual financial statements of the parent company . at the close of the meeting , chairman and ceo thierry le hénaff stated :
serving the business units and arkema ' s customers , these thirteen centers are strategically located across the globe , near production hubs and markets : seven in france , three in the united states , two in china and one in japan .
engaged in an open innovation initiative , arkema is involved in many scientific and industrial partnerships , and networks on 60 collaborative projects . universities , start - ups and public agencies actively work to enrich the r & d with their expertise .
arkema sa . ( enxtpa : ake ) is a company with exceptional fundamental characteristics . upon building up an investment case for a stock , we should look at various aspects . in the case of ake , read more . . .
bostik , the specialty adhesives business line of arkema , will be the official partner for smart adhesives at the iconic cycling event . now in its fourth year of sponsorship , bostik will use the competition to boost brand visibility around the world .
following the acquisition last december of den braven , a leader in high performance sealants , arkema confirms with this new transaction its strategy to actively pursue the development of bostik , which is one of the core element of its long term growth .
the skeleton crew at arkema ' s chemical plant knew it was time to go by the morning of aug . 29 . flooding from hurricane harvey had knocked out power . thousands of gallons of chemical - laden water had spilled . . .
year after year , arkema continues to expand . following its acquisition of the acrylic monomers and emulsions business from dow chemical company in north america , the group bolsters its positions in the acrylics market ( paints and coatings , automotive and transport ) .
the quality of the new arkema profile , the growth catalysts in place , the management’s track record since the stock market listing ten years ago , and the group’s solid financial structure are strong assets to continue creating value over the long term . ”
arkema is committed to excellence , the pursuit of safety and environmental protection , optimized performance of its industrial tools , and best - in - class competitiveness . the world is our inspiration . we enourage you to learn more about us .
in the rain ! ! ! his house has survived the water just fine ! the house was not wet or near being flooded at all ! and now we learn arkema is going to blow . we were not told the truth in the beginning .
in order to bolster its position as a world player in sulfur derivatives , arkema plans to double production capacity for methyl mercaptan , a sulfur intermediate that is key in the animal feed , refining and petrochemicals markets , at its kerteh plant in malaysia .
in high performance materials segment , sales were up 1 . 9 % to €3 . 42bn compared to 2015 . volumes grew 2 . 6 % driven by “innovation in technical polymers , in particular in lighter materials and new energies , ” said arkema .
the arkema group , through its common ground ® program is committed to building relationships between our company and its communities . community relations enable the group to open up its sites to the outside world and establish genuine relations of trust with all its stakeholders .
if someone wanted to work for arkema , i would advise them to do their research on the industry prior to applying . it is a very different industry than your typical business to consumer industry . that being said it is a very rewarding industry .
with an roe of 12 . 99 % , arkema sa . ( enxtpa : ake ) outpaced its own industry which delivered a less exciting 12 . 79 % over the past year . while the impressive ratio tells us that akeread more . . .
“ joining france’s leading chemicals company would give bostik the resources it needs to pursue its industrial and commercial development while fulfilling its commitments to employees and partners ,
commented patrick pouyanné , president of total’s refining & chemicals . “ a combination of bostik and arkema – which was the result of a successful spin - off from total in 2006 – is a natural next step , given their shared history within our group . total is pleased to be able to contribute to arkema’s continued development in this way . ”
arkema sa . ( enxtpa : ake ) trades with a trailing p / e of 13 . 3x , which is lower than the industry average of 16 . 9x . while ake might seem like an attractive stock to buy , itread more . . .
arkema has agreed to acquire coatex , a subsidiary of the omya group , for an undisclosed sum . coatex manufactures acrylic - based specialty polymers used as dispersants and thickeners by the paper , paint , water treatment , cosmetics , and textile industries . the firm employs 300 people and had sales last year of about $ 200 million . arkema , which was launched on the stock market last year by french oil company total , says the deal is its first acquisition after a long period of divesting
nonstrategic
assets .
the günzburg plant is under compliance with the german federal immission control ordinances 4 . bimschv and 12 . bimschv . it is iso 14001 , iso 9001 , ohsas 18001 , iso 50001 accredited , and complies with the arkema internal management system aims 4 . 2 .
the conditioning of the hydrogen peroxide production by the arkema group at the kirchheimbolanden site relies on the most modern state - of - the - art processes . the plant has been certified since 2007 according to gmp for the use of peroxal® products in pharmaceutical applications .
the kirchheimbolanden plant is under compliance with the german federal immission control ordinance 4 . bimschv . it is iso 14001 , iso 9001 , ohsas 18001 , iso 50001 accredited , and complies with the arkema internal management system aims 4 . 2 as well as gmp .
the leuna plant is under compliance with the german federal immission control ordinances 4 . bimschv and 12 . bimschv . it is iso 14001 , iso 9001 , ohsas 18001 , iso 50001 accredited , and complies with the arkema internal management system aims 5 . 0 .
the zwickau site is under compliance with the german federal immission control ordinances 4 . bimschv and 12 . bimschv . it is iso 14001 , iso 9001 , ohsas 18001 , iso 50001 accredited , and complies with the arkema internal management system aims 4 . 2 .
as of 31 december 2010 , the major stockholders of arkema ( owning at least 5 % of capital declared to amf ) were greenlight capital ( 5 , 5 % ) , dodge & cox ( 5 . 2 % ) , groupe bruxelles lambert ( 10 % ) .
the tceq has an open investigation into the arkema incident that will include an evaluation of any impacts due to the fires at the site . additionally , after the final notifications are received , the tceq will evaluate the reported emissions events to determine compliance with applicable rules , permit provisions , and notification and reporting requirements . the tceq and harris county pollution control are coordinating post - event monitoring , sampling , and complaint response activities . epa has ordered arkema to provide a detailed timeline of events and to respond within 10 days to questions about the handling of organic peroxides , which are combustible if not kept refrigerated , the amount of chemical materials , and the measures taken in advance to guard against flooding and loss of electricity . the u . s . chemical safety board has initiated an investigation at the arkema plant in crosby .
washington ( september 8 , 2017 ) — the u . s . environmental protection agency ( epa ) has completed its response support to the crosby volunteer fire department and the harris county fire marshal’s office for the catastrophic event at arkema . the epa and the tceq provided direct support to incident commander michael sims of the crosby volunteer fire department and chief bob royall of the harris county fire marshal’s office , who are leading a coordinated local , state , and federal effort as part of the unified command to control the fire at the arkema facility in crosby .
safety is extremely important to arkema . the r & d facility is proud to have a rolling 12 - month total recordable incident rate ( trir ) of zero . the r & d group has logged more than 1 , 000 , 000 man hours without an arkema recordable injury or osha lost - time injury . the last osha lost - time recordable for r & d was more than three years ago . our safety culture is built on a strong foundation of hazard recognition and mitigation and is reinforced through ongoing training , observation and adoption of best practices .
arkema , through its coating resins business unit , develops and manufactures coating resins and additives for a variety of end use applications , including powder coatings , traffic paints , transportation , marine , building and construction and more . products such as encor ® flex 192 provide long - lasting weatherability for tough , trying climates . arkema coating resins ' snap ® technology , found in snap ® 720 acrylic polymer , provides high block resistance and exceptional film hardness at no or low voc . snap ® - based products are also known for their excellent adhesion to a variety of substrates .
arkema announces a major investment of 300 million euros to build , in asia , a plant dedicated to rilsan® biosourced polyamide 11 for use as a substitute for metal in demanding and fast - growing applications in electronics , 3d printing and automotive . this plant will come on stream in 2021 .
arkema pursues its innovation projects through its thirteen research and development centers worldwide , all based close to the group’s manufacturing plants , markets and customers . each of the thirteen r & d centers of the group specializes in particular fields , but all are dedicated to developing new products and processes .
the arkema group is one of the world’s leading producers of hydrogen peroxide ( h 2 o 2 ) since 1953 . the hydrogen peroxide activity contributes to the growth of its customers in europe , north america and asia . its priorities are safety , product stewardship and the protection of the environment .
an unusually short lifespan might indicate that your arkema ancestors lived in harsh conditions . a short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family . the ssdi is a searchable database of more than 70 million names . you can find birthdates , death dates , addresses and more .
arkema employs 14 , 000 people worldwide through its 90 production facilities ( 46 in europe , 26 in north america and 18 in asia and the rest of the world ) and 10 research centers ( 6 in france , 2 in the united states , and 1 each in china and japan ) .


soulcycle is a new york city-based fitness company with studios in nine u.s. states .

founded in 2006 , it offers indoor cycling ( also known as " spinning " ) workout classes .

soulcycle

one of soulcycle ' s main competitors , flywheel , originated from ruth zukerman , one of soulcycle ' s own co - founders .
soulcycle cofounders julie rice and elizabeth cutler are leaving their positions at the brand .
a soulcycle indoor biking studio in los angeles , california . , courtesy of urltoken
could soulcycle be the next under armour inc . ? - - the motley fool
testimonials via social media are an important part of soulcycle ' s marketing strategy . soul stories are first - person accounts of how soulcycle has changed clients ' lives .
the soulcycle crew went to porto to shoot a video in association with @ sonyxperianl .
cycling fitness studio soulcycle announced its intentions to go public yesterday , but whether the soulcycle ipo attracts the same sort of feverish fanfare its cycling classes do will depend on a few things .
this soulcycle class with instructor erin l . on july 9th , 2018 at 6 : 00am is
this soulcycle class with instructor erin l . on july 9th , 2018 at 12 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor james l . on july 9th , 2018 at 4 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor james l . on july 9th , 2018 at 6 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor erin l . on july 10th , 2018 at 9 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor erin l . on july 11th , 2018 at 12 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor james l . on july 11th , 2018 at 4 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor james l . on july 11th , 2018 at 5 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor james l . on july 11th , 2018 at 6 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor erin l . on july 12th , 2018 at 9 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor erin l . on july 12th , 2018 at 5 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor erin l . on july 15th , 2018 at 10 : 45am is
this soulcycle class with instructor erin l . on july 16th , 2018 at 6 : 00am is
this soulcycle class with instructor erin l . on july 16th , 2018 at 12 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor james l . on july 16th , 2018 at 4 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor james l . on july 16th , 2018 at 6 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor maddy p . on july 9th , 2018 at 7 : 00am is
this soulcycle class with instructor taylor d . on july 9th , 2018 at 8 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor taylor d . on july 9th , 2018 at 10 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor taylor d . on july 15th , 2018 at 7 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor taylor d . on july 15th , 2018 at 8 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor steph p . on july 9th , 2018 at 6 : 00am is
this soulcycle class with instructor heather a . on july 9th , 2018 at 10 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor steph p . on july 10th , 2018 at 6 : 00am is
this soulcycle class with instructor steph p . on july 10th , 2018 at 8 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor heather a . on july 10th , 2018 at 10 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor steph p . on july 11th , 2018 at 6 : 00am is
this soulcycle class with instructor steph p . on july 12th , 2018 at 6 : 00am is
this soulcycle class with instructor steph p . on july 12th , 2018 at 8 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor lauren m . on july 13th , 2018 at 9 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor steph p . on july 14th , 2018 at 7 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor molli s . on july 14th , 2018 at 10 : 45am is
this soulcycle class with instructor steph p . on july 15th , 2018 at 4 : 00pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor megan m . on july 9th , 2018 at 7 : 00am is
this soulcycle class with instructor jenny c . on july 9th , 2018 at 8 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor daniel l . on july 9th , 2018 at 9 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor lindsay w . on july 9th , 2018 at 5 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor jenny c . on july 11th , 2018 at 7 : 00am is
this soulcycle class with instructor daniel l . on july 12th , 2018 at 6 : 30pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor jenny c . on july 13th , 2018 at 7 : 00am is
this soulcycle class with instructor jenny c . on july 13th , 2018 at 8 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor daniel l . on july 13th , 2018 at 5 : 00pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor lisa m . on july 14th , 2018 at 7 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor jenny c . on july 14th , 2018 at 8 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor daniel l . on july 15th , 2018 at 4 : 00pm is
this soulcycle class with instructor megan m . on july 16th , 2018 at 7 : 00am is
this soulcycle class with instructor jenny c . on july 16th , 2018 at 8 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor daniel l . on july 16th , 2018 at 9 : 30am is
this soulcycle class with instructor lindsay w . on july 16th , 2018 at 5 : 30pm is
meanwhile , soulcycle continues its own thrilling ride . in july , the startup filed for its ipo .
julie rice and elizabeth cutler talk about starting and scaling soulcycle at the inc women ' s summit .
soulcycle : you say ‘cult . ’ i say ‘loyal customer base . ’ - the new york times
soulcycle does seem to offer something unique : a sense that what it sells is more than a workout . devotees of the chain cite benefits from their engagement with soulcycle that go well beyond the physical .
' they will continue to serve on the board to support the long - term vision of soulcycle . we are forever grateful to elizabeth and julie for creating this incredible company , ' soulcycle ' s statement said .
the crucial question for potential investors in the soulcycle public offering is whether the company has a true sustainable advantage : a unique factor that will get customers to keep paying more for soulcycle than for its competitors . i talked with two groups of people who led me to think it might : business school professors and soulcycle fanatics .
the soulcycle crew went to porto to shoot a video in association with @ sonyxperianl . to celebrate this awesome project we invite you to come to the premiere at the soulcycle shop on april 28 , 6 : 00pm !
the pair founded soulcycle a decade ago with one studio on the upper west side of manhattan , new york .
soulcycle made 97 per cent of its revenue in new york city , los angeles and san francisco in 2014 .
she insisted that , unlike many traditional gyms that struggle to retain clientele , soulcycle put the “joy in exercise . ”
with each class costing $ 34 and no unlimited - membership option , soulcycle can get pricey . soulcycle is also known for its famously loyal clients who sign up for the week ' s classes at noon on the dot each monday .
flywheel had 34 studios in september last year according to business insider , compared to 38 for soulcycle in march 2015 .
could soulcycle be the next under armour inc . ? @ themotleyfool # stocks $ uaa , $ shak , $ lulu
by 2012 , soulcycle had 12 studios ; and by 2014 , the brash start - up boasted 36 locations . to date , soulcycle has 41 locations around the globe , and believes it can open at least 10 to 15 locations a year going forward . when it is all said and done , soulcycle is aspiring to have a domestic footprint of 250 studios .
clockwise from left : soulcycle founders julie rice and elizabeth cutler outside rice’s jane street home ; inspirational words ; a class .
soulcycle came under fire early last year when it emerged that some instructors sometimes relegated newcomers to the back of the room .
after starting in a single gym in new york in 2007 , soulcycle has spread to 20 locations . soulcycle sells no memberships , but participants gladly pay double the regular class fee for early access to signups for their favorite instructors and time slots .
“i don’t want to compete against others when i work out , ” said katherine petti , a lawyer in washington who goes to soulcycle three times a week . “i want to focus on improving myself , which is what soulcycle focuses on . ”
soulcycle ceo melanie whelan declined an interview request but said in a statement the company sees
tremendous opportunity
in canada .
expansion : within six months , the first studio was turning a profit . soulcycle expanded slowly at first , landing in california in west hollywood in 2012 . soulcycle has also branched out into merchandise such as workout clothes , with 14 new collections every year . in 2011 , the fitness company equinox gym bought a controlling stake in soulcycle , which helped the company grow faster , rice said .
many cycling studios are vying to capture people who are interested in indoor cycling , but soulcycle is still the undisputed leader . soulcycle is so popular it is embedded into pop culture ;
unbreakable kimmy schmidt
went so far to parody its guru - like instructors .
many fitness fanatics ( ourselves included ) can ' t imagine a world without soulcycle . those 45 sweat - soaked , spiritually attuned minutes in soulcycle ' s grapefruit - scented halls are absolutely sacred to us and have become an integral part of our fitness and wellness regimen .
competitors that run on similar models are aimed at the same affluent demographic as soulcycle . barry’s bootcamp , which has outposts in new york , california , nashville , london , and norway , sports a per - class price point almost identical to soulcycle’s and a celebrity following .
in ten years , soulcycle has become increasingly popular , with its most faithful devotees signing up for the most popular classes every monday at noon .
ms . zukerman , known for her emotionally charged teaching style , left soulcycle in november under circumstances that she said she is legally restricted from discussing .
elizabeth cutler and julie rice
have resigned as co - chief creative officers to ' pursue new projects , '
soulcycle confirmed to business insider .
however , if planet fitness ( plnt ) is a flop soulcycle stock will likely face headwinds as markets become flooded with unwanted shares of fitness companies .
i’d be a buyer of the soulcycle ipo myself at those prices , but we’ll have to wait a while longer to find out its exact valuation .
mitchell herself has attended classes at several soulcycle studios and says it ' s done a remarkable job creating a unique experience while building a strong following .
you know the workout was good when you leave your first @ soulcycle class and then put allllll the yellow merch in your online shopping cart . . .
soulcycle grew out of co - founders julie rice and elizabeth cutler ' s dream of an exercise studio that provided an efficient and
joyful
workout . from the
rear lobby
of a space in new york city , soulcycle has grown to a booming business , with dozens of indoor cycling studios .
still , she believes some torontonians , especially those who have tried out a soulcycle class before , will shell out the extra bucks for a ride there .
we founded soulcycle ten years ago with a mission to create happiness and empowerment through exercise . to see what soulcycle has become , the community it created and serves , and the positive impact its had on the lives of our riders and our staff has been humbling ,
cutler and rice told business insider .
the two women who co - founded soulcycle have both resigned from the company - just a year after making $ 90 million each by selling it to equinox .
' many soulcycle instructors insist on preapproval of their front rows , with new clients being asked whether they ' d like to take a back seat . in the minutes before class , the soulcycle staff consults the
move list
and considers front - row hopefuls , ' the new york times wrote at the time .
would you pay $ 70 to ride a stationary bike for 45 minutes while an instructor yells exhortations at you ? at soulcycle , thousands do so every day .
part boutique exercise class , part dance rave , part cult , soulcycle is a carefully marketed and differentiated exercise service . its challenge ? to grow its following while keeping loyal customers coming back for more pricey cycling sessions . for that reason , the target soulcycle customer is not just someone who wants a workout , but someone who yearns to take part in a communal experience that is at once trendy , energized , and healthy . to go to soulcycle is to be young and hip .
it started with the build - out of @ 250 , a boutique retail mall in roslyn , new york , where his vision included wellness businesses . villency got soulcycle ,
finally ! ! @ soulcycle atlanta ! this is the only exercise that i’ve been doing consistently for 4 years . i love it ! you gotta try it ! ! urltoken
julie rice and elizabeth cutler , who met over lunch an elite club in new york city , opened their first soulcycle studio a decade ago on the upper west side .
soulcycle , which filed to go public in july , is now set to expand by opening more studios and delving into at - home cycling workouts , business insider wrote .
in ten years , soulcycle has become increasingly popular . david beckham ( pictured left leaving a studio in los angeles ) and his wife victoria ( right ) are both devotees
there have always been gyms . and now there is soulcycle , that has transformed not only indoor cycling ( once merely “spinning” ) but the larger fitness industry as well .
unlike soulcycle , flywheel makes it possible for members to track their performance by displaying their score on a board and measuring the resistance on their bikes as well as their speed .
founded in 2006 by two new york women sick of “fitness routines that felt like work , ” soulcycle began with a single studio on the upper west side with 31 bikes .
but industry insiders say it may face a more challenging ride north of the border , where some boutique spin studios operate at about half the cost of what soulcycle typically charges .
part of soulcycle ' s future success or failure in canada will boil down to cost , he says , noting that many traditional gyms are struggling with consumer aversion to price .
but even if some consumers balk at the cost of sweating like - - or possibly with - - the stars , soulcycle has a few advantages , including experience in canada .
soulcycle ' s pricing varies somewhat through the u . s . , but riders in new york city , for example , pay us $ 34 for a single class , with no option for monthly unlimited class rates . cyclists also need clip - in shoes , which soulcycle rents for us $ 3 a class or sells for us $ 150 a pair .
anyone can be an athlete , a rockstar , a warrior . . . our riders come to us from all backgrounds , levels of fitness and experience . soulcycle is for everyone .
soulcycle , which comes at $ 34 for a 45 - minute class promising a total - body workout , made $ 112 million in sales in 2014 according to the ipo filing .
with planet fitness also scheduled to go public next week at a valuation of about $ 1 . 6 billion , soulcycle has chosen either the perfect time or the worst possible one .
new york - based soulcycle opened its first studio in 2006 and has since grown to 67 locations in the u . s . , with four more set to open this winter .
at soulcycle , selling the expensive labor of star instructors is just the beginning . the company has established partnerships with established luxury - goods manufacturers . the buildings are scented with candles from high - end home furnishings brand jonathan adler . a wide range of merchandise , from iphone cases to beach towels to lululemon athletic apparel branded with soulcycle designs , is available for purchase .
soulcycle ' s third founder , ruth zukerman , left the brand and started a major competitor called flywheel . zukerman told business insider that flywheel was meant to be inclusive rather than exclusive .
soulcycle prides itself on being
the only class you can do with your eyes closed .
they urge riders to disconnect completely , leaving phones behind and immersing themselves in the experience .
now soulcycle is getting ready to splash into the market . the chic spinning studio chain announced plans to file for an ipo last week . here are a few basics about the company :
in the u . s . , soulcycle hosts parties and corporate events that on average cost around us $ 1 , 000 - - another way the company can generate revenue , alvarez adds .
it ' s hard not to be impressed with margins and growth like that , but the biggest question facing soulcycle and potential investors as it goes public is how big the company can get .
soulcycle , founded in 2006 by julie rice and elizabeth cutler , is more exclusive . registration takes place online each monday on a class - by - class basis . though such a model has more logistical complications than equinox’s unlimited flat - fee approach , the combination of high prices and the need to make reservations make soulcycle classes a sought - after product that is always in limited supply .
it added that
they will continue to serve on the board to support the long - term vision of soulcycle . we are forever grateful to elizabeth and julie for creating this incredible company .
if investor response to the planet fitness ipo is exuberant , that could confirm that the timing of the soulcycle ipo was spot - on , as wall street hungers for more exposure to the industry .
founded in 2006 by elizabeth cutler and julie rice , soulcycle defines itself as
a rapidly growing lifestyle brand that strives to empower our riders in an immersive fitness experience .
like the fitness brands above , especially lululemon , and other lifestyle brands such as whole foods , soulcycle identifies with the
global trend toward healthy living and a lifelong quest for meaning , wellness and personal growth .
family : rice ' s husband , spencer , recently came aboard as soulcycle ' s chief marketing officer . cutler ' s husband , allen , doesn ' t work for soulcycle , but he came up with the name . each couple has two daughters . cutler likes to ride bikes outside , cook and indulge in frozen yogurt . rice likes going to the theater and taking trips to the beach .
like any successful luxury brand , soulcycle seems to have been built with a very deliberate eye toward choosing merchandise and instructors that add to an established air of quality and freshness , one that is clubby without being cliquey . as cohen noted , soulcycle is “really committed to customer service and to making sure we deliver the product 100 percent of the time , the best product regardless of the scale . ”
soulcycle is actually more profitable than shake shack , both on a per - unit and overall basis , and may turn out to be the better investment due to its stronger unit economics . it ' s too early to discuss valuation as pricing was not included in soulcycle ' s filing , but if the initial market cap is less than $ 2 billion , i ' d consider taking a ride .
although instructors seem to comprise the lifeblood of the company , soulcycle is currently facing a class - action lawsuit led by former instructor nick oram , who faults soulcycle with compensating instructors only for their time teaching classes , not for training and other work outside the studio . soulcycle has defended its compensation as in full compliance with the law . new york magazine reported earlier this year that novice instructors can make up to $ 125 to $ 150 for a sold - out class , with a typical starting load of 8 classes per week ; they also receive health insurance and agree not to teach spinning elsewhere .
“when people are done at drybar , there are a lot of selfies that happen in our bathrooms that we love , ” webb said . “it’s a good feeling [ to get your hair done ] and you want to share it with your friends . whelan considers word - of - mouth the most important part of soulcycle’s marketing . about 70 % of customers who renew every month at soulcycle come from referrals .
like all entrepreneurs , our passion is to create , and that is what we are making the space to do today . as board members and as riders we remain committed to seeing soulcycle succeed .
on one level , it’s obvious why soulcycle is so profitable . in manhattan , it charges $ 35 a class ( plus $ 3 to rent special shoes that clip into the bike ) , with discounts to about $ 28 for participants who buy bulk . a single sold - out soulcycle class in a 60 - bike studio can gross about $ 2 , 000 , and the same studio can handle nine classes a day .
it may be telling that soulcycle has drawn several competitors that offer similarly upscale indoor cycling experiences but that have not copied what mr . dreyfuss approvingly calls soulcycle’s “hippie - ish logos and creeds . ” studios like peloton and flywheel both offer cutting - edge technology and a competitive ethos . at flywheel , for example , a screen called the “torqboard” shows who is working hardest , though posting your score on the board is optional .
the company is called soulcycle for a reason : its mantra is “we aspire to inspire , ” and the classes take place in a candlelit room that the company describes as “tribal , ” “primal” and “fun . ”
the company says its classes combine a full - body , rhythm - based workout - - what soulcycle calls a curated cardio - dance party - - with a mind / body component designed to inspire riders emotionally .
elizabeth cutler , 48 , left , and julie rice , 45 , co - founded soulcycle , a chain of cycling gyms that offers pay - per - class luxury exercise . ( carolyn cole / los angeles times )
aside from its hollywood devotees , soulcycle turns its instructors into mini - celebrities through snappy profiles on its website . curated playlists , teaching schedules , meal plans and inspirational quotes are all aggressively pumped through facebook and twitter .
“it’s personal in a way , ” said alexia brue , who has compared the two studios for her wellness blog , urltoken . “team flywheel and team soulcycle , it’s like team angelina and team jennifer . ” one woman whispered in the narrow hall outside ms . zukerman’s class at the jewish community center that she thought cyclists who wear soulcycle apparel to a flywheel ride were rude . ( two women , seated nearby , were wearing it . )
ms . hickl , 31 , was part of an ugly custody battle of sorts between the two studios . last november , she said , she was “unceremoniously” let go from soulcycle without severance pay or much of an explanation .
the genius of soulcycle ' s marketing strategy mirrors the genius of their business strategy ; they ' ve found a way to make each and every interaction feel personalized and premium ,
says lauren crampsie , global cmo at ogilvy & mather .
whether it be the relationship you have with your favorite instructor or a tweet reply you receive after a great ride , soulcycle has mastered the customer experience both in and outside of the studio .
cutler and rice say they wanted to introduce joy into exercise . at soulcycle riders experience a sensory environment that focuses their attention on their ideal selves . the walls are emblazoned with terms , in all caps , like legend , warrior , renegade and rock star . meanwhile , soulcycle ' s logo , featuring a yellow bicycle wheel , is not unlike the wheel of dharma found in eastern religions . inspirational words from instructors , their faces lit by the soft glow of candles , urge riders to live their best lives . music is also a driving force behind the soulcycle gestalt , even though it isn ' t always spiritual—some classes feature the likes of taylor swift and janet jackson .
soulcycle is emphatically not a gym or a health club . most fitness providers , like crunch , crossfit , and planet fitness , offer unlimited access for a monthly or yearly fee or a tiered version of that model in which more expensive subscriptions give access to more locations . luxury fitness giant equinox , which acquired soulcycle in 2011 , runs on the same model . you pay an initiation fee and a monthly rate in exchange for unlimited use at facilities .
a small odyssey order arrived at soulcycle , including stems , freewheels , clothing and more . besides that we also received a big odyssey order about a month ago , which can be found in the
new arrivals
section .
soulcycle comes at $ 34 for a 45 - minute class promising a total - body workout ( file picture ) . the company came under fire last year after it emerged that some instructors relegated newcomers to the back of the room
toronto - - soulcycle , the pricey american exercise chain with a cult - like following , will open its first international location in toronto this march - - with plans to expand to multiple locations in the city and across canada .
then , in june , soulcycle sued ms . hickl for the return of $ 2 , 075 the company had lent her to secure an apartment rental . ms . hickl appeared in small claims court four times before the matter was resolved . on sept . 30 , it was ruled that ms . hickl would have to repay $ 1 , 500 to soulcycle , which flywheel and tricera partners , the venture capital firm that manages it , has offered to cover .
i am a soulcycle disciple ,
says melissa shapiro , u . s . investment president at mediavest .
it is a 360 - degree lifestyle brand that celebrates fashion , fitness , friendship , music and everything in between . i ' m hooked for life .
soulcycle ' s 45 - minute classes ( which range from $ 35 to $ 80 ) are booked well in advance , and sessions with the most popular instructors sell out in seconds .
we used to say to people , ' this is really different ; this is going to be an experience that you ' ll remember , '
rice says .
[ soulcycle ] will change your attitude about fitness .
but while the math is simple , soulcycle’s profit margins are surprising . if it has found a way to mint money , competitors should be able to swarm into the fancy indoor cycling world and beat it on price . this is not a business with high barriers to entry : full - line gyms like new york sports clubs offer cycling classes to their members for no additional charge . in short , economics 101 says soulcycle’s high profit margins should be eaten away by competition .
when you come to soulcycle , somebody knows your name when you come in the door . we train people . you don’t get a new employee off the street , and their first thought is , “oh i better learn everybody’s name . ”
everyone who works at soulcycle also does soulcycle , down to the i . t . guy . ( “he just lost a ton of weight ! ” says rice . ) in the lobby , the scent of a jonathan adler grapefruit candle is in the air , and the gear they sell is fabulous , with neon logos like posse , cult , and obsessed . “my whole summer wardrobe is soulcycle , ” says lizzie tisch , whose husband , jonathan , the chairman of loews hotels , is also a devotee . “they just get it . ” there’s a fair amount of mingling of teachers and students outside of class , too . “they’re the valentino of exercise , ” says marjorie gubelmann . “they socialize with their clients . ”
not quite under armour but . . . though soulcycle has the growth rate and the profit margins to match other fitness brand sensations like under armour , lululemon , and fitbit , there ' s a key difference . soulcycle isn ' t in the business of selling consumer products so the ceiling is likely much lower than it is in the apparel or wearable tech business . the market for global sports and fitness gear is worth over $ 100 billion , meaning a company like under armour with just $ 3 billion in sales has a long path of potential growth ahead of it . soulcycle , meanwhile , competes in the much larger fitness industry , but the high - end , specialized niche it ' s targeting is a much smaller component .
both soulcycle ( which just introduced a resistance - band class ) and flywheel ( which offers the torqboard , a real - time way to compare your effort to others ) sell more than just an intense full - body workout on a bike . when taught by their most talented instructors , such as the hard - charging holly rilinger ( flywheel ) or the ultra - relaxed dancing - in - the - aisles stacey griffith ( soulcycle ) , their cathartic rides offer inspiration . ( stop laughing . )
with more than three dozen studios across the country , soulcycle is essentially a spinning class on a spiritual quest . to the beat of curated tunes , members pedal through the toughest workout of their lives while high - energy instructors motivate them . marketingwise , soulcycle is one of those rare brands that runs on its own energy . it basically does no advertising , yet it enjoys plenty of exposure thanks to its devoted clientele , including celebrities like david beckham and charlize theron , and religious commitment among clients .
rice points out that money spent on one soulcycle class could as easily be thrown at two or three cocktails in new york .
it is so easy in this city to spend dumb money on things that don ' t matter ,
she says .
we made a decision early on to put most of our marketing dollars and efforts towards creating experiences . in fact , when we opened our bridgehampton studio , it was our second summer in business , and we really opened it as a marketing experience because we were really trying to expose more people to soulcycle ; at the time , we only had one soulcycle on the upper west side . we really found that running a summer business out in bridgehampton took our very local business and made it more of a citywide destination .
the self - improvement mantra made its way into the company’s initial public offering filing , which says soulcycle is “the place people come , regardless of their age , athletic ability , size , shape , profession or personality , to connect with their best selves . ”
soulcycle’s detractors are prone to look at this sort of talk and say the word “cult . ” but saying a company’s customer base is a cult may just be another way of saying the company has a sustainable competitive advantage in the form of deep customer loyalty .
if shake shack ' s experience on the market since debuting six months ago foreshadows soulcycle ' s , that would be a promising sign . while the burger chain ' s shares have been highly volatile , the stock has more than tripled since its january ipo .
kate hickl , a sinewy - armed former soulcycle teacher now with flywheel , said that some riders who double - dip feel the need to confess , as if loyalty is required . “you don’t need to give me a disclaimer , ” she said she tells them .
soulcycle has also come under fire for being elitist with its famous front - row policy that forbids new riders from riding a bike in the front of the studio . experts have called the safety of the classes '
dance
routines on the bike into question .
in 2011 , james s . fell gave soulcycle
a failing grade for exercise physiology and biomechanics
in an article in the los angeles times . he pointed out that neither cutler nor rice had a background in exercises science or any indoor - cycling certifications then .
these classes are based on the theory that it ' s a good idea to include upper - body exercises in an indoor cycling class , and therein lies my problem with their approach . according to rice and the many soulcycle videos posted on youtube , class participants do push - ups on the handlebars , high - repetition lifting with 1 - pound weights and a bunch of abdominal twists , crunches and working of core muscles — all while pedaling . ( i haven ' t been to new york to take a soulcycle class myself . )
but soulcycle also now has muscular competition in the form of flywheel sports — founded in february by ruth zukerman , one of soulcycle’s original three founders and onetime star instructor , with tiki barber , a former professional football player who used to take her class with his wife ( mr . barber’s affiliation with flywheel has since ended after news of an extramarital affair surfaced ) . two other flywheel locations have opened , at the jewish community center on the upper west side , and in sag harbor , n . y . , with five more in the works .
soul much love for the new @ soulcycle studio in atlanta ; the only one in ga ! this is @ tylerperry outside # soulcyclebkhd . he’s been a faithful member of the tribe for 4 years . hope to see you in class soon tyler ! # soulcyclebuckhead # soulcycleatl urltoken
we don’t know yet if the soulcycle ipo will be as richly valued as its cycling classes , but given the company’s small footprint , profitability and potential growth opportunities , i’d be shocked if the initial valuation was less than 30 times its 2014 earnings — around $ 750 million .
and soulcycle is still expanding : this fall , a location will open near union square , within spitting distance of the flywheel flagship . “it’s not like people are leaving our facilities , ” ms . cutler said . “they are telling their friends and more people want to come . ”
in fact , they weren ' t even friends ; they were set up on a
blind date ,
and before they left their first lunch together , they had an action plan : figure out how to get towels and secure real estate for soulcycle ' s first studio .
julie rice ( left ) and elizabeth cutler , co - founders and chief creative officers of soulcycle attend ' creating a movement : the story of soul cycle ' during the 2016 sxsw music , film + interactive festival at austin convention center in austin on mar . 15 , 2016 .
in its preliminary prospectus , soulcycle says its
elevated , meditative fitness experience
has drawn a following that includes numerous celebrities and generated positive publicity for the studios . comedian amy schumer , for example , recently shared a photo on instagram of her at chicago ' s southport location .
to meet demand in manhattan , soulcycle opened on the upper east side ( attracting lots of “hard mommies” ) , in tribeca ( across from the new goldman sachs headquarters ) , and most recently in union square . even those fundamentally against exercise were drawn in , like author jill kargman : “i hate working out , i hate people who work out , i hate people who talk about working out , and i’m full - on waco , texas , about soulcycle . as good as it is for my ass , it’s better for my head . it’s mental floss . ”
' we have created a very kind of supportive and encouraging community of people where it’s not about who’s prettier or who has more jewelry or who has the better workout outfit , ' zukerman , who hasn ' t discussed her departure from soulcycle in detail , told business insider last year .
the payoff for the brand is apparent . between 2012 and 2014 , the chain expanded from 12 studios to 36 and grew its revenue from $ 36 . 2 million to $ 112 million . last year , 2 . 9 million rides were taken at soulcycle , according to the brand .
soulcycle is a high - end brand with classes starting out at $ 34 . it ' s not surprising that the company has found success in upscale coastal enclaves like marin county and the hamptons , but its price points may be tested as it expands to more markets across the country .
like soulcycle , shake shack hails from nyc and has carved out a boutique niche and outsized brand name in the much larger fast - food industry . but while mcdonald ' s has 14 , 000 locations nationwide today , shake shack envisions growing from about 63 stores today to only 450 .
we have created a very kind of supportive and encouraging community of people where it ' s not about who ' s prettier or who has more jewelry or who has the better workout outfit ,
zukerman told business insider last year , ostensibly alluding to soulcycle ' s famously wealthy clientele .
some of soulcycle ' s followers are folks you may have heard of , including brooke shields , chelsea clinton , anderson cooper and tom cruise , according to media reports . what ' s more , actress and talk show host kelly ripa gushed about the place in an on - air segment last year :
this class , soulcycle , is more than an exercise class . it really is an inspirational class that is as good for your brain as it is for your body .
with buzz like this , it ' s not surprising classes sell out within minutes of being posted online .
at least one soulcycle instructor , laurie cole , encourages a competitive atmosphere . ms . cole started a recent resistance - band class by asking who was new and then telling the sheepish five who raised their hands , “good luck . ” she also swore and berated the class like a drill sergeant .
the pro freestyle contest will take place again ! from friday 18 may till monday 21 may in scheveningen , the hague . soulcycle crew riders tristan van den berg , joeri veul , jorn tuijnman , anne hofsink and emile bouwman will compete at the street contest on monday ! are you joining ? read more .
eighty - six percent of the company ' s leaders are women ( wowza ) , starting with the ceo , melanie whelan , formerly of equinox .
we create roles for women ,
said soulcycle svp of pr and brand strategy gabby etrog cohen ( yet another example of a woman in charge ) .
finding a rigorous workout was simple enough , but none seemed to be any fun . none of the gyms they ' d seen nurtured a community of overworked , overstimulated urbanites by offering a meditative , blissful experience that also scorches calories . since nobody was doing it , cutler and rice decided to start soulcycle .
with 250 potential studios delivering $ 4 million in revenue apiece , soulcycle would hit $ 1 billion in sales and reach net income in the range of $ 200 million , extrapolating from its current margins . additional income streams like apparel sales , online classes , and international sales would be accretive to those totals .
jessica decostole , 30 , went to soulcycle for three years and was surprised to find ms . zukerman gone one saturday when she showed up for her cherished ride . “i was really upset , ” said ms . decostole , a graduate student at columbia . “you get emotionally addicted to ruth’s class . you have a release of energy and stress . ” ms . decostole has become a regular at flywheel , along with many of her former soulcycle mates . for all she knows , they ride at both , but she said she would never . “it would be wrong to go to both of them , ” she said solemnly .
, and organic avenue to sign on as retailers at the space , creating his first bridge into the scene . the relationships with those brands expanded , starting with soulcycle . “first , it was ‘hey can you make some phone cases ? ' ” he says . “then it was ‘hey , we need a bike . ’”
soulcycle found its first studio space on craigslist ; it was a back lobby on 72nd street in new york city and had no outward signage ( the studio has since moved to 77th street ) . they used a yellow - painted rickshaw to grab attention outside , despite the fact that it would get them some parking tickets .
soulcycle takes an enthusiastic approach to exercise that i want to endorse . but i give this company a failing grade for exercise physiology and biomechanics . the whole idea of working one ' s upper body while pedaling a stationary bike is not only counterproductive , it can be physically detrimental over time , according to several experts i talked to .
julie : i ' d also just like to add that most of our marketing efforts are experiential ; it ' s very hard to articulate to somebody what makes soulcycle different . you know , you ' re swept up in the moment and the sweat is flowing and the adrenaline ' s pumping ; it ' s very easy to understand .
soulcycle is able to charge a premium because of the talent and skill of its star instructors like stacey griffith and rique uresti , whose classes often sell out in minutes . it doesn’t hurt that studios have been planted in the fertile soil of high - income zip codes : soul roslyn , soul water mill , soul marin , soul brentwood .
in its prospectus , it said it sees ample white space for expansion and expects over the long term to grow the footprint to at least 250 studios . over the next several years , soulcycle plans to open 10 to 15 studios a year , and it sees further opportunity abroad , a market it could tap at some point in the future .
elizabeth was a yogi who had trouble losing the baby weight and needed cardio . julie was a runner and hiker looking for that same sense of community in a fitness class . their visions came together in a way we can still see today ; soulcycle has a distinct yoga vibe with intense ( ly fun ) cardio and a tight - knit community .
health club giant equinox bought a majority stake in the company in 2011 , and now owns 97 % of soulcycle as it prepares for an ipo . the company saw its revenue triple between 2012 and 2014 , from $ 36 . 2 million to $ 112 million . cutler and rice reportedly each got a payout of $ 90 million when equinox upped its stake last spring .
soulcycle is emphasizing the primary thing i ' ve highlighted to my clients and readers : the importance of finding an exercise you love and embracing it with fervor . and it appears to be working . the company has expanded well beyond its manhattan base . studios are slated to open in west hollywood in january and in brentwood in the spring , with more california locations to follow .
julie : elizabeth and i created an environment that we would want to be in . people always remark ,
oh , it ' s so ingenious you put hair ties on the front desk ,
or
you put chewing gum there .
the truth is , we really created a place that made us feel like it was our place and we have really extended that to our riders . we always wanted our riders to feel like they would be greeted by somebody who knew their first name . in fact , we always joke around even as we get bigger , the way that we explain our customer service policy to our staff is we want every soulcycle [ studio ] to feel like it ' s the only soulcycle . we always try to create little communities so that people not only felt like they were getting great service and that the people that worked at soulcycle really had an interest in . . . their wellness and their fitness , but also people could socialize with each other , creating an environment that was comfortable and without judgement and empowering . it allowed people to open up and make friends a lot more easily .
unfortunately , neither of the co - founders , julie rice and elizabeth cutler , is an exercise physiologist or a certified cycling instructor . ( before opening soulcycle , rice was a hollywood talent manager and cutler sold luxury real estate . ) rice told me they worked with an exercise physiologist to create the routines , but that still doesn ' t erase my concerns about safety or efficacy .
ms . brue , the blogger , frequents both studios . “i think it speaks to what a great brand soulcycle has created that just like the restaurant of the moment , it feels like the place to be , much more than flywheel , ” she said . “flywheel has created an experience that may be athletically superior , ” but it “doesn’t have that same scene - y feel . ”
whelan called the structure within which soulcycle instructors create their classes “freedom within a framework . ” everyone is trained in the basics of what makes a class , but they also curate their own workouts , playlists , and performances . “ultimately , ” she said , “i think people feel ownership over what they’re creating . and they’re going to bring a different level of energy in the experience . ”
soulcycle advertises itself as a full - body workout that has
revolutionized indoor cycling and taken the world of fitness by storm .
the company currently has 18 locations in and around new york and seven in california , and is planning studios in massachusetts and washington d . c . it boasts an 85 % retention rate among riders , and revenue has risen 60 % each year since 2010 .
elizabeth and i started soulcycle because we were actually the customers — we were looking for an exercise experience that was going to be fun , exciting , challenging ,
rice explains .
there were a lot of workouts , but there was really nothing out there that was efficient , that was joyful , that was about community , that was something that you really looked forward to .
there is a possibility the soulcycle ipo garners high levels of investor attention , largely because of its business model and , yes , even profitability . the company charges about $ 30 for a 45 minute class ( although prices vary by market ) , and a rabid following of fitness - obsessed patrons register for classes online . the s - 1 filing with the securities and exchange commission briefly details the hype :
of course , there is more to this than the money . once you gain entrée , soulcycle seems to deliver on the thing that griffith described—as the “outside person” looks better , the “inside person” begins to heal . the peloton , moving in motion together , is powerful . “we genuinely care about everyone here : this isn’t just a shtick , ” says cole . “this is a marriage in your soul . ”
some clients have fled soulcycle’s bells and whistles , which have included themed rides like a michael jackson tribute with the teacher in glittery tube top . “too much fluff and gimmick , too much drama , and i love drama , but not in a spin class , ” said christine wovchko , 45 , an operating room nurse in manhattan who values being able to track her effort on the torqboard screens at flywheel .
the third potential source of sustainable advantage is a complex business model that must be replicated in full . mr . rivkin cited southwest airlines as an example . imitators have failed to turn southwest’s no - frills airline model into similarly consistent , high profits . it turns out that convincing people it’s fun not to have a seat assignment is harder than it looks . mr . rivkin said he wasn’t familiar enough with soulcycle’s business to know whether it fell into one of these three categories , but he noted that fitness is a difficult , intensely competitive business . when he wants to remind students that an industry can be less lucrative than it looks from the outside , he likes to use a case study about the twice - bankrupt gym chain bally total fitness . soulcycle “had better have something that’s deeply unique and sustainable , ” he said .