Ronco
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Kitchen appliance manufacturing |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founder | Ron Popeil |
| Defunct | 2018 |
| Fate | Filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy; brand acquired by HD Schulman International Trading LLC |
| Successor | HD Schulman International Trading LLC |
| Headquarters | United States (originally Chicago) , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Ron Popeil (founder, spokesperson, innovator) |
| Products | Kitchen appliances, household gadgets, infomercial products |
| Parent | HD Schulman International Trading LLC (since 2022) |
| Website | www |
HD Schulman International Trading LLC, known commercially as Ronco, is a U.S.-based enterprise specializing in kitchen appliance manufacturing. Established in 1964 by Ron Popeil, the firm rose to fame through pioneering infomercial marketing, establishing Ronco as a household name. Often hailed as the “father of the infomercial,” Popeil coined the memorable slogan “Set it and forget it!” associated with Ronco’s signature rotisserie oven. The brand name Ronco and the suffix "-O-Matic" have become emblematic within American advertising and popular culture.
History
The inception of the company traces back to Ron Popeil drawing inspiration from Chicago’s Maxwell Street market, initially retailing inventions created by his father, Samuel "S.J." Popeil, such as the Veg-O-Matic and Pocket Fisherman. By the 1970s, Ron Popeil had branched out to independently develop new products under the Ronco banner.
In August 2005, Popeil divested Ronco to Fi-Tek VII, a holding firm based in Denver, for $55 million. Despite the sale, he maintained his role as spokesperson and product innovator. Fi-Tek VII later adopted the Ronco name and secured rights to any future inventions by Popeil. Meanwhile, Popeil continued his inventive pursuits through Ron's Enterprises.
Popeil Inventions, Inc. pursued trademark protection for the phrase "set it and forget it," integral to Ronco’s advertising identity; however, this registration was ultimately abandoned. The phrase has since been extensively used across various sectors.
On June 14, 2007, Ronco filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, reporting debts totaling $32.7 million owed to creditors including Popeil himself. The company was acquired in 2011 by CD3 Holdings, which sustained its consumer product operations.
Ronco filed again for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 27, 2018 after failing to obtain necessary financing, subsequently converting to Chapter 7 liquidation on June 13, 2018.
By 2022, HD Schulman International Trading LLC had purchased Ronco’s brand and product lines, distributing them worldwide through the official website.
Inventions
The range of products offered by Ronco, heavily influenced by founder Ron Popeil’s creativity, includes:
- Showtime Rotisserie: A multifunctional rotisserie oven capable of cooking chicken, ribs, lamb, seafood, and vegetables featuring the "Set it, and forget it!" convenience.
- Electric Food Dehydrator: Designed for drying fruits and meats such as apple chips and jerky.
- Popeil Pocket Fisherman: A compact folding fishing rod with an integrated reel pre-spooled with line.
- Solid Flavor Injector: A device for inserting solid seasonings into meat; paired with a Liquid Flavor Injector that administers liquids like lime juice to enhance cooking on the Showtime Rotisserie.
- Chop-O-Matic: A handheld food chopper engineered for rapid food preparation.
- Dial-O-Matic: An evolution of the Veg-O-Matic functioning similarly to a mandoline slicer.
- Inside-The-Shell Egg Scrambler: A unique gadget for preparing eggs directly within their shells.
- Six Star 20-Piece Cutlery Set: An extensive collection of knives.
- GLH-9 (Great Looking Hair Formula #9): A hair spray formulation.
- Drain Buster: A tool designed to clear blocked drains efficiently.
- Smokeless Ashtray: Features an integrated fan system aimed at minimizing smoke exposure.
- Ronco Popeil Automatic Pasta Maker: Simplifies pasta making at home.
- Ronco Rhinestone Stud Setter: Allows affordable rhinestone adornment on clothing.
- The Cap Snaffler: A versatile opener compatible with various bottle caps.
These innovations reflect Ronco’s strategic focus on delivering practical and inventive household products that enhance user convenience and functionality, playing a vital role in strengthening its market presence and brand reputation within the consumer goods sector.
Awards
- The Ronco Inside-The-Shell Electric Egg Scrambler from 1978 was placed 84th on Mobile Magazine's list of the Top 100 Gadgets Ever.
- In December 2010, Consumers Digest recognized Ronco as the "Best Buy in Rotisserie."
Records
Ronco also functioned as a record label, releasing TV-promoted compilation albums licensed from major record companies. Its inaugural album in the U.K. was 20 Star Tracks (1972). The label secured three number-one albums on the U.K. charts: the soundtrack for That'll Be the Day (1973), Disco Daze and Disco Nites (1981), and Raiders of the Pop Charts (1982). Thanks to its pioneering marketing strategies, Ronco became a notable contender until the rise of the Now That's What I Call Music! series prompted its withdrawal from the U.K. market in 1984 after its parent company declared bankruptcy. Numerous advertisements featured voice narration by Tommy Vance.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- American companies established in 1964
- American companies disestablished in 2018
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2007
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018
- Companies that filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2018
- Defunct manufacturing companies based in Chicago
- Kitchenware brands
- Kitchen knife brands
- Cooking appliance brands
- Infomercials
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment
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