Luo Weibo Named to Forbes China “Globalization 30&30” as China’s Fitness Export Story Evolves
A Milestone Recognition in China’s Globalization Journey
On November 4, 2025, Forbes China released its annual “Globalization 30&30” list, recognizing leading Chinese companies and entrepreneurs driving international expansion across sectors including technology, consumer goods, and sports & health.
Among the selected leaders, Luo Weibo, Founder and Chairman of Zhejiang Merach Technology Co., Ltd., was named a “Globalization Leader.” This recognition highlights not only his personal strategic vision, but also the growing international influence of Chinese home fitness brands.
For the global fitness equipment industry, this marks another signal: China’s role is shifting from manufacturing hub to brand creator.
From Domestic Champion to Global Contender
Luo Weibo has spent over a decade in the fitness and e-commerce sectors, developing a sharp understanding of consumer behavior and product positioning. Under his leadership, Merach has built an integrated home fitness ecosystem combining hardware, software, and digital services.
Domestically, the company achieved remarkable success:
- Eight-time sales champion on major Chinese platforms such as Tmall and JD.com
- No.1 online market share in multiple home fitness categories
In 2022, Merach formally launched its global expansion strategy, aiming to bring its “technology-driven fitness experience” to international users.
Three Years of Global Expansion: A Rapid Scaling Model
Merach’s international growth has been both aggressive and structured.
The company has expanded into key markets including North America, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. It established overseas warehousing and localized service systems, enabling faster delivery and improved customer experience.
On global platforms:
- Products consistently rank among top sellers on Amazon
- The brand has leveraged TikTok Shop to become a leading seller in the fitness category
Within just three years, overseas revenue has multiplied several times, turning Merach into a benchmark case of Chinese fitness brands going global.
Founder of Merach, Luo Weibo
The Founder’s Journey: Identifying the Market Gap
Merach was founded in May 2018 in Hangzhou, at a time when China’s home fitness market was highly polarized:
- Low-cost, low-quality white-label products dominated the entry level
- Premium Western brands were expensive and often misaligned with local user needs
Luo Weibo identified a clear gap: high-quality, reasonably priced home fitness equipment designed around real user experience.
With a background shaped by China’s e-commerce boom and previous success in scaling fitness product sales, he made a decisive move—exiting other businesses and focusing entirely on home fitness.
His core belief:
Home fitness should not feel like discipline—it should feel like an enjoyable lifestyle.
A Playbook of Growth: Category Positioning + Technology Breakthrough
Merach’s rise can be understood as a combination of precise category selection and continuous technical innovation.
- 2019: Elliptical Trainer Breakthrough
The company entered the elliptical segment—known for higher manufacturing barriers and fewer competitors—and quickly became the No.1 brand in China, maintaining leadership for seven consecutive years.
- 2020: Massage Gun Boom
Riding the global recovery and wellness trend, Merach launched massage guns that topped major sales events. Its Nano model gained attention after being recommended by Lei Jun.
- 2021: National-Level Validation
Merach became a partner of China’s national training system, with products deployed in Olympic training environments. Feedback from athletes directly drove product improvements, leading to the development of proprietary cushioning technologies.
- 2022–2023: Full Category Leadership
From rowing machines (with hybrid resistance systems) to spin bikes, Merach expanded into multiple categories, achieving leading market positions across the home fitness segment.
- 2024–Present: Accelerated Globalization
Despite initial challenges due to cultural differences, the company rapidly adapted its strategy.
By 2024:
• Overseas revenue reached RMB 700 million
• International revenue surpassed domestic sales
• TikTok live streams achieved peak GMV of $300,000 per day
Core Competitive Advantage: Technology + Ecosystem
By 2025, Merach had surpassed RMB 2.5 billion in annual revenue and expanded into more than 30 countries.
Its competitive edge lies in two key pillars:
Ⅰ. Hardware Innovation
The company holds over 150 core patents, focusing on:
• Impact absorption and joint protection
• Precision resistance systems
• Motion efficiency and ergonomics
These technologies directly address user pain points such as knee protection, stability, and training effectiveness.
Ⅱ. Digital Ecosystem
Merach has developed its own platform, integrating:
• AI-powered coaching systems
• Personalized training and nutrition planning
• Gamified fitness experiences
Its app ecosystem transforms fitness from repetitive exercise into an engaging, interactive experience.
What This Means for the Industry
Merach’s inclusion in the Forbes China “Globalization 30&30” reflects a broader industry shift:
China’s fitness equipment companies are no longer competing solely on price or manufacturing efficiency. Instead, they are moving toward:
• Brand-driven globalization
• Technology-enabled differentiation
• Integrated hardware + software business models
This transition—from “scale globalization” to “value globalization”—is becoming the defining trend for the next generation of Chinese fitness brands.
Looking Ahead: From Equipment to Intelligent Fitness Companion
Merach’s future strategy is clearly aligned with the industry’s next phase:
• Technology: Deep integration of AI into coaching, nutrition, and health management
• Market: Strengthening mid-to-high-end positioning while expanding globally
• Business Model: Transitioning from hardware sales to hybrid models combining devices and subscription services
The company’s ambition is bold:
To become the world’s leading home fitness brand.
FitGearSource Insight
From a B2B industry perspective, Merach represents more than a successful brand—it is a case study in how Chinese manufacturers can evolve into global players.
For international buyers, distributors, and partners, this raises an important question:
Are you still sourcing products from Asian factories, or are you starting to partner with emerging global brands from China?
Infomation Source: Merach
Related Q&A
Q: Where is Merach located?
A:
Merach is headquartered in Hangzhou, one of China’s leading tech and e-commerce hubs. More specifically, its main company entity—Zhejiang Merach Technology Co., Ltd.—is based in: Binjiang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
This area is well known as a high-tech zone (also home to companies like Alibaba), which aligns with Merach’s positioning as a technology-driven home fitness brand.
Q: How old is the founder of Merach?
A:
The founder of Merach, Luo Weibo, was born in 1987 and is one of the youngest founders among fitness equipment companies of a similar scale.
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