Kids 2, Inc., doing business online as Kids2, is an American infant and toddler toy and product manufacturer based in Atlanta, Georgia.[1][2][dead link] The company designs, manufactures and markets Bright Starts, Baby Einstein, and Ingenuity brand products.[3][4] Kids 2 has international affiliate operation locations in Australia, Canada, Europe, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Mexico.[3][4] In 2013, Kids II had more than 400 products under its brands.[4][5]
 | |
| Formerly | Pansy Ellen Products, Inc.; Kids II |
|---|---|
| Company type | Private |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Headquarters | |
Key people | Ryan Gunnigle (CEO) |
| Brands | Bright Starts, Baby Einstein, Ingenuity |
| Owner | Ryan Gunnigle |
Number of employees | 750 |
| Website | www |
History
editThe company 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 2 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 company 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]
In 2012, the company relocated its headquarters from Alpharetta, to 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 2 acquired Baby Einstein, formerly owned by The Walt Disney Company.[18] Baby Einstein products use real world objects, music, art, animals and nature with the intention to introduce infants to the world around them.[18][19]
In April 2019, Kids 2 announced a recall of 700,000 inclined baby sleepers sold under a variety of different brand names and models. [20] In August 2019, Kids II announced a name change to Kids2, opening a new factory in China and launching a new direct to consumer website.[21]
In July 2022, Kids 2 acquired a public company, Summer Infant, out of Woonsocket, RI. Summer Infant is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Kids2 and part of the Kids2 Group.[22]
Operations
editIn 2018, Kids II was named one of Atlanta's top 50 Private Companies.
In November 2018, Kids 2 launched Kids2.com, a resource for early stage parents.
Kids II has approximately 750 employees worldwide in 8 offices.[4][6]
References
edit- ^ a b c Giannina Smith Bedford (March 2, 2012). "KIDS II Buckhead showroom offers flexible product displays". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ Jane Margolies (May 1, 2012). "Just Us Kids: Kids II's Whimsical Atlanta Office". Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ a b Giannina Smith Bedford (February 3, 2012). "Kids II moves offices, showroom to Terminus". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Louis Mayeux (March 7, 2012). "Kids II Moves Global Headquarters to Buckhead". Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Kristy J. OHara (January 3, 2012). "How Ryan Gunnigle keeps Kids II ahead of the curve". Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Kids II". Retail Merchandiser Strategies For Growth. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ "Toy and Game Companies; Kids II, Inc. Expands to Japan". China Weekly News. June 14, 2011.
- ^ a b "Collaborative Learning Center Kids II: Conceptualizing New Toy Designs". SCAD. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ a b "Kids II Partners with SCAD". December 28, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ "Toy and Game Companies; Kids II, Inc. Acquires Taggies, Rhino Toys". Entertainment Newsweekly. July 1, 2011.
- ^ "KSU Announces Winners of The '2011 Georgia Family Business of The Year' Awards". Kennesaw State University. July 5, 2011.
- ^ a b "Toy and Game Companies; Kids II Expands Global Footprint with Addition of South Africa Office". Entertainment Newsweekly. March 9, 2012.
- ^ "American Inhouse Design Awards 2012". Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ a b Jane Kitchen (September 18, 2012). "North American attendance on the rise at Kind + Jugend". Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ Jacques Couret (September 13, 2013). "Atlanta's 2013 Best Places To Work Awards". Atlanta Business Chronicle.
- ^ "Kids II Named a Best Place to Work by Atlanta Business Chronicle". India Retail News. September 26, 2012.
- ^ a b "Kids II Purchases Baby Einstein". October 14, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ "Kids II buys Baby Einstein". August 11, 2013. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ "Kids II recalls 700,000 baby sleepers including Ingenuity, Bright Starts, Disney brands".
- ^ Inc, Kids II (2019-08-14). "Kids II Announces New Name, Online Retail, and Manufacturing Facility". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Kids2, Inc. to Acquire SUMR Brands". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2022-08-11.