As people grow concerned with wellness, Herbalife Ltd. meets their needs.

Many consumers long for health, beauty and longevity, but fad diets and cosmetic surgery that claim to fulfill those desires are taking a back seat to methods that yield real, time-tested results. Unlike some other companies that offer quick fixes, for 25 years, Herbalife says it has been leading the way in long-term weight management and health improvement. Today, the California-based company is aggressively continuing to develop wellness products for the health-conscious world.

Once a company that marketed only weight-loss supplements, its new products are focused on long-term weight management, and nutritional and personal care for every age group. But Herbalife's offers don't end there. Through a worldwide network of independent distributors, Herbalife offers flexible careers to virtually anyone.

Today, the company's corporate office is located in a 15-story office tower in Century City, Calif., about two miles from the original storefront location in Beverly Hills where founder Mark Hughes started Herbalife.

Silver Lining
Last year was full of many milestones for Herbalife as it launched ShapeWorksâ„¢ and went public. ShapeWorks, a major weight-management program, was the company's largest corporate initiative, paving the way for unprecedented success, the company says.

This year has so far has been equally exciting with its silver anniversary celebration in April. Herbalife kicked off its anniversary at the Atlanta Georgia Dome with 35,000 worldwide distributors in attendance. "We set a lot of records that weekend," says Greg Probert, COO. "This was the biggest event in Herbalife history. Elton John and his band performed for us. It was just terrific."

A huge attendance and Sir Elton's performance were major highlights, but the company also had some business news to announce. The celebration was aligned with its launch of the NouriFusionâ„¢ MultiVitamin skin care line. These skin essentials provide basic nutrition and basic care for skin, with vitamins A, C and E. "This was simultaneously launched in 23 countries," Probert says. "We sold out of our special promotional kits immediately."

The company was launched LIFTOFFâ„¢ a new energy tablet that "has been going gangbusters," Probert says. LIFTOFFâ„¢ is an effervescent energy drink tablet that includes an exclusive energy blend of taurine, guarana, caffeine, Panax ginseng and Ginkgo biloba. "LIFTOFFâ„¢ fights fatigue and improves mental performance," he says. "It also contains 100 percent of the supply of antioxidant Vitamin C and more than 100 percent of Vitamins B6 and B12 for enhanced energy production." LIFTOFFâ„¢ is the official energy drink of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.

Strong Leadership
CEO Michael O. Johnson has led the company's new management team with tremendous momentum, according to Probert, which resulted in a record $1.3 billion net sales by the end of 2004. "This growth has all been in the works, but without the management team and the increased level of trust from distributors, we would not have come this far. Our leaders use the products, they wear the buttons and they talk to the people," Probert says.

Products Philosophy
Today, Herbalife offers a range of scientifically advanced products, not only for weight loss, but also for enhancing nutrition and general health; skin and hair care. Herbalife offers more than 100 different products for all stages of life, with new ones being developed and launched continuously.

The emphasis on science and unique formulations appeal to the growing consumer interest in healthy lifestyles.

Herbalife says it realizes that the quest to achieve good health is confusing and demanding, and that people receive conflicting messages from various sources everyday regarding what one should or shouldn't be taking or doing. However, Herbalife says it is committed to providing knowledge that consumers need to simplify nutrition.

Herbalife Reaches Out
In addition to Herbalife's business efforts, the company generously gives back to the community. With the creation of the Herbalife Family Foundation (HFF), it has dedicated itself to improving the lives of children everywhere. Since 1994, the Foundations has helped at-risk children around the world.

HFF recently opened Casa Herbalife at A Place Called Home (APCH), a non-profit youth center in South Central Los Angeles. The collaboration with APCH is among the first of several Casa Herbalife programs that HFF plans to launch around the world in the upcoming year to be sure children are being fed healthy meals. This new children's nutrition program is modeled after Casa Herbalife, an orphanage the HFF built in Brazil in 1998. Another Casa Herbalife opened in at the Atlanta's Children's Shelter in Atlanta, Ga.

As part of Herbalife's silver anniversary, distributors, employees, friends and business partners participated in a series of fundraising efforts and events that raised over $1 million for the HFF.

In order to secure a healthy future, Probert says, the company must continue growing and innovating the best products. "There is a feeling of excitement for the future," he notes.