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Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily 4 3 Sunday, March 11, 2018 Down To Earth Continues to Supply Products for Natural Living An interview with Zeph Van Allen, President, Down To Earth Distributors, Inc. KNSD: Tell our readers about your com- pany. ZA: In 1978, we established Down To Earth Distributors and began wholesaling to retailers with products that fit our per- sonal lifestyle. From those humble begin- nings, Down To Earth has grown into three distinct businesses: manufacturing, wholesale distribution and retail (we have a beautiful home and garden store in Eugene, Oregon). The manufacturing division pro- duces premium, natural and organic fer- tilizers. We formulate, blend and package naturally occurring nutrients for both commercial users and home gardeners. The distribution division wholesales to a diverse group of retailers including upscale grocery markets, garden centers, hardware stores, co-ops and internet retailers. These businesses range from small, single shops to national independ- ent chains. KNSD: Where is your current product emphasis? ZA: Our tagline has always been "Products for Natural Living" and it still rings true today. We emphasize product lines that support the Garden-to-Table Lifestyle – tools that enable people to grow, prepare and serve nutritious food. More and more consumers want to know where and how their food was produced, and many feel the only way to do this is to supplement their diet with homegrown ingredients. KNSD: What do you anticipate to be your greatest change in the year ahead for your customers? ZA: When we started Down To Earth, our cat- alog could fit on one side of a piece of paper. Today, ecommerce has changed how everyone is buying products, opening up a literal world of possibilities for retailers. To compete in this marketplace, we have invested in a robust distribution website, which allows customers the convenience of online ordering. But we are backing it up with the personal, one-on-one sales support that we have been providing for many years. We're expanding into a new era of shopping/distributing, but we don't want to leave any of our customers behind, so we still have a print catalog. We're not moving to the internet for short-term goals. It's just another tool to help build the same kind of solid relation- ships that we have been forging all along. KNSD: How do you help engage cus- tomers in a changing mar- ketplace? ZA: Down To Earth has always advocated for a natural lifestyle, and our content mar- keting supports this core belief. Our videos on cooking, canning and gardening underscore the environmental and social concerns that have exploded in popularity since the late '70s. As the movement has grown to meet the needs and challenges of a much wider audience, and newer generations have pushed this culture online, we are con- tributing our traditional knowledge and practices that are as applicable today as they were when we began trailblazing four decades ago. For more information about our products, services and corporate cul- ture, find our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Brenda Black, at booth #S2280. For more information, go to www.down toearthdistributors.com, call 800.234.5932, email sales@downtoearthdistributors.com or stop by booth #S2280. Viatek Launches Echelon, where Fitness, Cycling & Technology Unite Viatek Consumer Products Group, known for its innovative and unique con- sumer goods, launches the Echelon™ fit- ness brand – a cycling phenomenon com- prised of well-engineered bikes and an interactive app that fits your budget, lifestyle and fitness level. The Echelon Connect bike, created to rival the competition for pennies on the dollar, offers the ultimate cycling experience paired with Bluetooth tech- nology. Ergonomically customizable, the Connect features an oversized seat that's adjustable in two directions, and a con- sole that modifies to variable height, angle and distance – even flipping over 180 degrees for off bike work outs. Fully padded bullhorn handlebars are perfect for transitioning between postures, and a silent magnetic flywheel offers 32 levels of precisely adjusted resistance, provid- ing challenging workouts for all fitness levels. Just hop on, set your weights in the dumbbell holders and get ready to pedal toward your goals. When paired with the Echelon Fit app, riders can sync their smart devices to monitor personal stats such as, participation, distance, calories burned and heart rate (with the additional Echelon monitor). Fully inte- grated for today's virtual community, data can be linked directly to Facebook, Fitbit ® and Strava accounts. Available on both Apple and Android devices, the Echelon Fit app offers users an array of content, from live and on-demand class- es, to scenic rides, yoga, strength train- ing, warm-ups and more. "We realized there was a demand from consumers who wanted access to a technologically advanced exercise platform without the financial investment in a fully connected pro series cycle," said Viatek President and Founder Lou Lentine. Enter the Echelon Flex. It's the little brother of the Connect, essentially. With a smaller price tag, footprint and fold-up design, it's perfect for any- one that wants a portable cycle. Equipped with built-in resistance bands and an oversized console to hold your device, it may not have all the features of the Connect, but the app still packs plenty of punch with Flex based workouts. The Echelon Experience is truly refreshing because it provides all the excitement and innovation of any com- petitor, but at a fraction of the price. "Fitness isn't meant to be a status sym- bol, it's a lifestyle," says Lentine. Visit Viatek in booth #L11347, where the Echelon Experience is waiting for you. About Viatek Consumer Products Group Inc Viatek is a world leader of product design, develop- ment and distribution of products in over 60 coun- tries. Millions of cus- tomers have grown fond of the exciting brands of Viatek, which are distributed to major retailers throughout the world. Viatek Consumer Products Group and affiliate companies have been devel- oping products since 1992. All Viatek products are available online at www.viatek.com and select retailers worldwide. For more information, go to www.viatek.com or stop by booth #L11347.