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Little Tikes history
Little Tikes company history timeline
Murdough became interested in the toy business in 1968 when his then-employer, Wilson Sporting Goods, asked him to run marketing for its Wonder Products subsidiary.
Little Tikes was founded by Thomas G. Murdough in 1970 to make large plastic outdoor play equipment, toy boxes, and children's furniture in an old barn in Aurora using rotational molding.
In 1979, the company introduced its first major hit toy, the Cozy Coupe ride-in car.
During a period of decline for the toy industry as a whole, Little Tikes® sales increased by 28 percent to $23.1 million, which was followed by an astounding 73 percent rise to $42.9 million in 1983.
Little Tikes® first consumer catalog is mailed out in the Fall/Winter of 1985.
A staple product throughout the years, The Jumbo Hide ‘N Slide, is launched in the Spring of 1985.
In 1985, Murdough even canceled Little Tikes' membership in the Toy Manufacturers of America because of the trade association's support of marketing to children.
Fall of 1989 Little Tikes® introduces 1st Plastic Doll House with miniatures of our most popular toys including a Cozy Coupe® Car, Turtle Sandbox, and Party Kitchen.
Murdough insisted that selling through discount chains would lead to short product life spans. "You saturate the marketplace," Murdough told the Wall Street Journal in 1989. "That's a big part of the reason the toy industry is flat on its back."
In 1999 Newell Inc. purchased Rubbermaid for $5.6 billion.
The company announced in early spring 1999 that it would close the facility in order to reduce excess manufacturing and streamline the firm's distribution network.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Newell Rubbermaid Inc., Little Tikes operates as the largest rotational molder in the world with manufacturing facilities in Ohio and California, as well as international locations in Europe and Asia. Its most famous product--the red and yellow Cozy Coupe Car--celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1999 with over six million units sold since its launch.
During 2000, the company launched its spring line that included over 30 new products.
By 2002, Little Tikes had 2,000 employees and sales of $2.59 billion.
The company's largest customer, Toys "R" Us Inc., began cutting its inventory. It also set plans in motion to launch its first national television advertising campaign during the 2002 holiday season.
In 2005, the company's 900 workers contributed approximately $500,000 to Hudson in income tax collection with sales of $250 million reported in 2005.
Larian told the Hub-Times in September 2006 the manufacturing facility will stay in Hudson.
When California-based MGA Entertainment Inc. purchased Little Tikes in November 2006 from Newell Rubbermaid, it employed 500 workers.
In June of 2007, after 50 employees were laid off from Little Tikes, Larian said the city and state had offered minimal concessions for Little Tikes to remain in Hudson long term.
LITTLE TIKES® is a trademark of The Little Tikes Company used under license by PlayPower, Inc. © 2022 PlayPower, Inc.
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Little Tikes competitors
| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KidKraft | 1968 | $28.0M | 200 | - |
| Fisher-Price | 1930 | $1.1B | 5,000 | - |
| Wahl Clipper | 1919 | $910.0M | 2,000 | 4 |
| Majestic Steel USA | 1979 | $166.6M | 200 | 27 |
| King Nut | 1927 | $1.7M | 50 | - |
| Flow Polymers | 1984 | $1.8M | 50 | 1 |
| Wescon Controls | 1946 | $21.0M | 200 | 6 |
| Lincoln Electric | 1895 | $4.0B | 10,001 | 213 |
| Marley Engineered Products | 1987 | $60.0M | 137 | - |
| Thermos | 1904 | $100.0M | 220 | - |
Little Tikes history FAQs
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Little Tikes may also be known as or be related to Little Tikes, The Little Tikes Co. and The Little Tikes Company.