Kids II, Inc.

Kids II, Inc.
Formerly called
 Pansy Ellen Products, Inc.
Private
Founded 1969
Headquarters Atlanta, Georgia
Key people
 Ryan Gunnigle (CEO)
Brands Bright Starts, Baby Einstein, Comfort & Harmony, Ingenuity, Taggies and Oball
Number of employees
 500
Website www.kidsii.com

Kids II, Inc. is an infant and toddler product manufacturer based in Atlanta, Georgia.[1][2] The company designs, manufactures and markets Bright Starts, Baby Einstein, Comfort & Harmony, Ingenuity, Taggies and Oball brand products.[3][4] Kids II has international affiliate operation locations in Australia, Canada, Europe, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico and South Africa.[3][4] In 2013, Kids II has more than 400 products under its brands.[4][5]

Ryan Gunnigle is the company's president and CEO.[4][6]

History

The firm was originally named Pansy Ellen Products, and was founded in 1969 primarily as an infant bath and toy manufacturer.[7] In 1992, the company debuted its products in Toys "R" Us stores.[7] The company re-branded in 1993 and changed its name to Kids II, Inc.[7] Kids II began licensing for Disney in 1999.[7]

In 2001, Kids II opened its first international office in Hong Kong.[7] The company expanded to Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, Japan, and Canada by 2006[7][8] The company expanded its Hong Kong - based testing lab with the addition of a chemical testing sector in 2009.[7]

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) partnered with the firm in December, 2010.[9][10] The partnership allowed SCAD students to conceptualize and prototype toy concepts for the company.[9][10] The firm acquired the Oball and Taggies brands the following year.[11][11]

In 2012, the company relocated its headquarters to Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia from Alpharetta, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta.[1] The company's new office space and showroom were a finalist in the design category for Atlanta Business Chronicle's 2012 Best in Atlanta Real Estate Awards.[1] The company was also a finalist in the 2011 Georgia Family Business Awards in the large business category.[12] Kids II opened an office in Johannesburg, South Africa in March 2012.[4][13] The company was one of the first companies in the industry to expand its direct global distribution in South Africa according to Vertical News.[13]

The company received 11 awards at the Graphic Design USA Awards for its package design in 2012.[14] Kids II attended Kind + Jugend, an international juvenile products trade fair in Cologne, Germany.[15] The company showed 350 SKUs at the show.[15] The Atlanta Business Chronicle named Kids II one of the best places to work in Atlanta in 2013.[16][17]

In October 2013, Kids II acquired Baby Einstein, formerly owned by Disney.[18] Baby Einstein products use real world objects, music, art, animals and nature with the intention to introduce children to the world around them.[18][19]

Operations

Kids II has approximately 500 employees worldwide in 14 offices.[4][6] The company manufactures Bright Starts, Baby Einstein, Comfort & Harmony, InGenuity, Taggies and Oball brand products.[3][4] It also contracts to manufacture Disney-brand products.[3][4]

In 2013, the company had over 400 products available on the market in over 70 countries.[4][5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Giannina Smith Bedford (March 2, 2012). "KIDS II Buckhead showroom offers flexible product displays". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  2. ↑ Jane Margolies (May 1, 2012). "Just Us Kids: Kids II's Whimsical Atlanta Office". Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Giannina Smith Bedford (February 3, 2012). "Kids II moves offices, showroom to Terminus". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Louis Mayeux (March 7, 2012). "Kids II Moves Global Headquarters to Buckhead". Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Bill Hendrick (April 28, 2013). "Up Close: A Look into Metro Atlanta Businesses: Innovative toy company growing: Atlanta's Kids II Inc. competes against bigger rivals". The Atlanta Journal.
  6. 1 2 Kristy J. OHara (January 3, 2012). "How Ryan Gunnigle keeps Kids II ahead of the curve". Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Kids II". Retail Merchandiser Strategies For Growth. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Toy and Game Companies; Kids II, Inc. Expands to Japan". China Weekly News. June 14, 2011.
  9. 1 2 "Collaborative Learning Center Kids II: Conceptualizing New Toy Designs". SCAD. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  10. 1 2 "Kids II Partners with SCAD". December 28, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  11. 1 2 "Toy and Game Companies; Kids II, Inc. Acquires Taggies, Rhino Toys". Entertainment Newsweekly. July 1, 2011.
  12. ↑ "KSU Announces Winners of The '2011 Georgia Family Business of The Year' Awards". Kennesaw State University. July 5, 2011.
  13. 1 2 "Toy and Game Companies; Kids II Expands Global Footprint with Addition of South Africa Office". Entertainment Newsweekly. March 9, 2012.
  14. ↑ "American Inhouse Design Awards 2012". Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  15. 1 2 "North American attendance on the rise at Kind + Jugend". September 18, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  16. ↑ Jacques Couret (September 13, 2013). "Atlanta's 2013 Best Places To Work Awards". Atlanta Business Chronicle.
  17. ↑ "Kids II Named a Best Place to Work by Atlanta Business Chronicle". India Retail News. September 26, 2012.
  18. 1 2 "Kids II Purchases Baby Einstein". October 14, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Kids II buys Baby Einstein". August 11, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
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