From Small Beginnings - A New Zealand Success Story

In July 1984, Michael Thompson, a New Zealand Food Technologist with extensive experience in food technology and the international health food market, purchased Nutra-Life Health & Fitness, a small Australian company begun in 1967 by two young bodybuilders turned businessmen.

An experienced entrepreneur, Thompson established Nutra-Life Health & Fitness as a New Zealand based company. Under his direction the company grew rapidly, both in the local market and through its international exports.

Initially, Nutra-Life specialised in sports nutrition products which remain a significant part of our business today. Our products, using New Zealand’s natural resources and industry research on protein and energy, have become market leaders with athletes around the world helping them improve performance and gain ‘The Winning Edge’.

In the 1980’s, as part of our growth strategy, our associate company Health Foods International purchased the Kordel’s brand from Dr Lelord Kordel, world-famous nutritionist and author, and now markets an expanding range of cutting edge Kordel’s Advanced Nutritional supplements in many countries.

We have also developed a high potency Nutra-Life supplement range of several brands to take account of different market situations and opportunities, and we have been appointed distributors from some world-famous brands.

In 2000 the company moved its premises to a leading edge manufacturing, administration and warehousing facility in the growing industrial area of East Tamaki.

As well as out local success, we have focused on exporting and have become a major supplier to the nutritional products market in Australia, Asia, the Middle East and the U.K. in conjunction with our marketing partners in these areas. Our export activities have won recognition with the company receiving two national awards for export growth.

Early in 2007 Mike Thompson sold Nutra-Life Health & Fitness, but has retained a significant share holding and his place on our board of director.