Little Tikes
| File:Little Tikes logo 2019.svg | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | Tom G. Murdough Jr. |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products |
|
Number of employees | 500 |
| Parent | MGA Entertainment (2006-Present) |
| Website |
|
Little Tikes is a U.S.-based producer of children's playthings, with its main office located in Hudson, Ohio and manufacturing and distribution centers situated across Asia and Europe. The company specializes in simple, molded plastic toys designed for toddlers and young children, featuring well-known products such as the turtle sandbox and the party kitchen.
History
The company was established in 1967 in Aurora, Ohio by Tom G. Murdough Jr. alongside Jack E. Hill. By 1969, Murdough had obtained sole ownership. In 1984, Rubbermaid acquired the business, retaining Murdough as president until he left in 1989. Two years later, in 1991, he founded Step 2, a rival toy manufacturer based in Streetsboro, Ohio.
After Rubbermaid merged with Newell in 1999 to create Newell Rubbermaid, Little Tikes was divested and purchased by MGA Entertainment in 2006 for an undisclosed amount. At that point, the company employed around 500 individuals and produced roughly $250 million in annual revenue, forming part of Rubbermaid’s $6.3 billion total sales. This acquisition integrated Little Tikes into MGA’s brand lineup, which also includes the popular Bratz doll franchise.
One of the company’s most iconic offerings is the red-and-yellow Cozy Coupe, a toy car introduced in 1979. By its 35th anniversary in 2004, sales had surpassed six million units. The New York Times dubbed it the "world's best-selling car" of its decade, outselling real vehicles like the Ford Taurus and Honda Accord. The Cozy Coupe has undergone updates such as adding cartoon-style eyes in 2009 and releasing an electric-powered version in 2022.
Known primarily for robust plastic toys that promote creative play, Little Tikes broadened its innovation scope with the launch of the Magicook Kitchen in 2004, which utilized radio frequency technology to create interactive play features.
In recognition of his visionary leadership and impact on the toy sector, founder Tom G. Murdough Jr. was honored with induction into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 2020.
See also
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- Manufacturing companies based in Ohio
- American companies established in 1969
- Companies based in Akron, Ohio
- Toy companies established in 1969
- Summit County, Ohio
- Toy companies of the United States
- MGA Entertainment brands
- 2006 mergers and acquisitions
- Hudson, Ohio
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment