CHESTERFIELD, Mo., July 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Reliv International,
Inc. (Nasdaq: RELV), an international manufacturer and network marketer of
nutritional supplements and other products, today announced the opening of its
network marketing operations in Germany. This marks the company's first foray
into continental Europe, and brings to 11 the total number of countries in
which Reliv operates around the world.
"Germany is an extremely attractive market for Reliv," noted R. Scott
Montgomery, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations for Reliv. "It's
one of the top five markets in the world for direct selling, with annual sales
of more than 4 billion U.S. dollars. Germany also enjoys a large population
base, the largest in Europe -- so that makes the country a perfect gateway for
Reliv on the continent. I believe those strengths are reflected in the
extraordinary amount of interest and support that our distributors have
expressed for launching our German operations," Scott said.
The company is eager to establish a base of business in continental Europe
to complement its existing operations in the United Kingdom, Scott said.
"With a total population of over 450 million people, Europe boasts one of the
world's largest and most vigorous economies. As such, it represents a
significant -- and largely untapped -- market for Reliv," he said. Total
network marketing sales in Europe grew 10 percent in 2004 compared to the
prior year, Scott noted, while overall retail trade fell by 0.3 percent in the
25 states of the European Union from April 2004 to April 2005. "The network
marketing model is catching on in countries across Europe, giving hard-working
entrepreneurs the chance to pursue their dreams of financial independence,"
Scott said.
At the same time, Reliv has been emerging as one of the network marketing
industry's fastest growing companies, noted Ryan Montgomery, Vice President of
Sales at the company. "Since 2001, we have achieved sales growth of at least
20 percent each year in the United States, our largest market," he said.
"This rapid growth is the direct result of our efforts to streamline the
company's business model, and make it easy to replicate from market to
market."
Reliv also benefits from growing consumer awareness of the role that good
nutrition plays in promoting overall health, Ryan said. "With our exclusive
line of supplements, we bring nearly 20 years of advanced nutrition science to
the German market," Ryan said. "Our products are popular with consumers,
because they make good nutrition simple -- using patented formulations that
provide unique combinations of ingredients to support wellness and healthy
lifestyles."
The headquarters for Reliv's operations in Germany are located in
Dietzenbach, just outside of Frankfurt. The company began accepting product
orders and new distributor applications in Germany earlier today.
Reliv International, Inc., based in suburban St. Louis, Missouri (USA),
develops, manufactures and distributes several lines of high-quality food
products, including nutritional and fiber supplements, diet management
product, functional foods and sports drink mixes. Its proprietary product
line includes soy-based food products and personal care products. Reliv's
common stock trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the symbol RELV.
Along with Germany, Reliv now sells its products through a network of
independent distributors in 10 other countries, including the United States,
Australia, Canada, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, New
Zealand, and the United Kingdom. For more information about Reliv, please
visit our website at http://www.reliv.com .
NOTE: Any statement released by Reliv International, Inc. that is forward-
looking is made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Editors and investors are cautioned
that forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties that may affect
the Company's business prospect and performance. This includes economic,
competitive, governmental, technological and other factors discussed in the
Company's filings with the SEC on forms 10-K and 10-Q.
SOURCE Reliv International, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.reliv.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/103123.html
CONTACT:
R. Scott Montgomery, Senior Vice President,
Worldwide Operations, +1-636-733-1306, or Fred A. Nielson,
Investor Relations, +1-636-733-1314, both of Reliv International,
Inc., or Al Palombo, Investor Relations of Cameron Associates,
+1-212-554-5488
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