Experimental and Applied Sciences
Encyclopedia
EAS is a large distributor of performance based nutritional supplements with approximately 300 staff, annual sales exceeding $300 million dollars and offices/distributors in 54 countries.
, Monterey County, California
in 1992 by a biochemist
named Anthony Almada, and a businessman named Ed Byrd. After discovering the possible benefits for athletes of creatine monohydrate supplementation, in December 1992 they acquired a kilogram of creatine and began trials.
In 1993 Almada and Byrd released the first commercially available creatine supplement, designed specifically for strength and muscle enhancement, under the EAS brand name Phosphagen. That same year their discovery caught the eye of Bill Phillips
, publisher of Muscle Media 2000 (usually referred to as "MM2K"), and he began to write about its benefits in the "Natural Supplement Review" and his subscriber based newsletters. In 1994 he purchased EAS from Almada and Byrd.
Phillips' subscriber base was the perfect platform to which to tout his new acquisition, and it was from here that EAS growth really began. He promoted the company's products through heavy editorial-style advertisements in MM2K, and led by products like Myoplex, Phosphagen and HMB this eventually made EAS at one of the leading players in the nutritional supplement industry.
In 1999 North Castle Partners purchased EAS for $160 million. Phillips retained about a third of the company, which he sold in 2004.
In 2005 EAS was purchased by Abbott Laboratories
for approximately $320 million in a cash-for-stock transaction and now exists as a solely-owned division of Abbott, who also make Similac
and Ensure
. EAS' product line under Abbott now focuses on sports bars and drink mixes, and other similar products. Abbott has expanded the stores offering EAS products from niche stores such as GNC
to mainstream stores such as Wal-Mart
and Target
.
In March 2011 Abbott laboratories exited the European and the international market with the EAS brand. The exit included the closedown of the Canada and UK country business’s and regional distribution in Europe. European product manufacturing also ceased in 2011.
History
EAS was founded in Pacific GrovePacific Grove, California
Pacific Grove is a coastal city in Monterey County, California, USA, with a population of 15,041 as of the 2010 census, down from 15,522 as of the 2000 census...
, Monterey County, California
Monterey County, California
Monterey County is a county located on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California, its northwestern section forming the southern half of Monterey Bay. The northern half of the bay is in Santa Cruz County. As of 2010, the population was 415,057. The county seat and largest city is Salinas...
in 1992 by a biochemist
Biochemist
Biochemists are scientists who are trained in biochemistry. Typical biochemists study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms. The prefix of "bio" in "biochemist" can be understood as a fusion of "biological chemist."-Role:...
named Anthony Almada, and a businessman named Ed Byrd. After discovering the possible benefits for athletes of creatine monohydrate supplementation, in December 1992 they acquired a kilogram of creatine and began trials.
In 1993 Almada and Byrd released the first commercially available creatine supplement, designed specifically for strength and muscle enhancement, under the EAS brand name Phosphagen. That same year their discovery caught the eye of Bill Phillips
Bill Phillips (author)
William Nathaniel "Bill" Phillips is an American entrepreneur and author. He is the author of the fitness book Body for Life: 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength. He is the author Eating for Life, founder and former editor in chief of Muscle Media magazine and the former CEO of EAS, a...
, publisher of Muscle Media 2000 (usually referred to as "MM2K"), and he began to write about its benefits in the "Natural Supplement Review" and his subscriber based newsletters. In 1994 he purchased EAS from Almada and Byrd.
Phillips' subscriber base was the perfect platform to which to tout his new acquisition, and it was from here that EAS growth really began. He promoted the company's products through heavy editorial-style advertisements in MM2K, and led by products like Myoplex, Phosphagen and HMB this eventually made EAS at one of the leading players in the nutritional supplement industry.
In 1999 North Castle Partners purchased EAS for $160 million. Phillips retained about a third of the company, which he sold in 2004.
In 2005 EAS was purchased by Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Laboratories is an American-based global, diversified pharmaceuticals and health care products company. It has 90,000 employees and operates in over 130 countries. The company headquarters are in Abbott Park, North Chicago, Illinois. The company was founded by Chicago physician, Dr....
for approximately $320 million in a cash-for-stock transaction and now exists as a solely-owned division of Abbott, who also make Similac
Similac
Similac is a brand of infant formula that was developed by Alfred Bosworth of Tufts University and marketed by Ross Laboratories....
and Ensure
Ensure
Ensure is the brand name of a family of liquid nutritional supplements manufactured by Abbott Laboratories.The beverages are meant to be administered orally, or through nasogastric tubes, directly to the recipient's stomach....
. EAS' product line under Abbott now focuses on sports bars and drink mixes, and other similar products. Abbott has expanded the stores offering EAS products from niche stores such as GNC
General Nutrition Centers
General Nutrition Centers is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based American commercial enterprise focused on the retail sale of health and nutrition related products, including vitamins, supplements, minerals, herbs, sports nutrition, diet & energy products.-History:In 1935, David Shakarian opened a...
to mainstream stores such as Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
and Target
Target Corporation
Target Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
.
In March 2011 Abbott laboratories exited the European and the international market with the EAS brand. The exit included the closedown of the Canada and UK country business’s and regional distribution in Europe. European product manufacturing also ceased in 2011.
See also
- Abbott LaboratoriesAbbott LaboratoriesAbbott Laboratories is an American-based global, diversified pharmaceuticals and health care products company. It has 90,000 employees and operates in over 130 countries. The company headquarters are in Abbott Park, North Chicago, Illinois. The company was founded by Chicago physician, Dr....
- Ami CusackAmi CusackAmi Cusack was a contestant on Survivor: Vanuatu and Survivor: Micronesia. She is the former Charitable Director of Experimental and Applied Sciences . Cusack is a model/barista who posed for Playboy magazine in 1996....
, former EAS Charitable Director - Body for LifeBody for LifeBody for Life is a 12-week nutrition and exercise program, and also an annual physique transformation competition. It was created by Bill Phillips, a former competitive bodybuilder and owner of EAS, a manufacturer of nutritional supplements. It has been popularized by a bestselling book of the...
- MET-RxMet-RxMET-Rx is a brand name of nutritional supplements, originally produced by Met-Rx, Inc., a California company started by A. Scott Connelly, and sold several times since....