| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Board game manufacturer |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Beloit, WI |
Key people | Fran Patch, Bryce Patch |
| Website | Patch Products |
Patch Products
editPatch Products is a national manufacturer and marketer of family entertainment products, specializing in board games, card games, puzzles and collegiate-licensed foam sports toys.
History
editFran and Bryce Patch opened a commercial printing company in 1971, producing games and related items for other companies. They printed Trivial Pursuit game boards and Cabbage Patch Kids sticker books among other things. Then in 1985, the brothers decided it was time to start their own toy and game company, and Patch Products was founded.[1]
The company started with a line of PuzzlePatch tray puzzles for preschoolers, which are still in production. The company celebrated the milestone of making its 100 millionth puzzle in 2008. Through the years, organizations such as the American Toy Institute, Great American Toy Contest, National Association for Gifted Children, Nick Jr. magazine and Toy Tips have recognized the puzzles for their role in helping education children.[2]
In 1992, the company obtained the license for TriBond, its first board game. TriBond later was inducted into Games Magazine's Hall of Fame.[3] Patch followed the success of TriBond with two other board games, Blurt! and MadGab. The popularity of the three games turned Patch Products into a key player in the board game market. The company sold the brand rights to the three games to Mattel in 2004 so it could focus on developing new games.[4]
By 2008, the small printing company had grown to a national manufacturer of family entertainment products with a full line of board games, card games, children's puzzles, coloring books and collegiate sports balls.
Award-winning games
editThrough the years, games produced by Patch Products have won awards from Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, Dr. Toy, The National Parenting Center, iParenting Media Awards, Parents' Choice and Toy Tips. Award-winning games include:
Party Games
What's Yours Like?
ShakeDown
Buzzword
Such & Such
Malarky
Family Games
Toss Up!
Swap!
Roll-It Tic-Tac-Toe
Domination
Go Wacky!
Giant Spoons
Preschool Games
Can-Do Roo
Million Minute Family Challenge
editFrom September through December every year, Patch Products sponsors the Million Minute Family Challenge, a grass-roots effort to promote interaction and communication among family and friends through playing board games. The goal is to encourage at least 1,000 families, groups or organizations in each of the 50 states to play a board game together for 20 minutes. That's 1,000,000 minutes. In addition to Patch Products, other supporters who are helping to bring awareness to the Million Minute Family Challenge in 2008 are KOA, Great Wolf Lodge, Blue Harbor Resort, Generations United and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers.
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ Corporate Report Wisconsin, December 2003
- ^ The Janesville Gazette, June 16, 2008
- ^ [http://www.gamesmagazine-online.com/gameslinks/hallofame.html Games Magazine
- ^ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 4, 2004