I’ve covered toys from both The Bridge Direct and Tech 4 Kids quite a bit here on THE ROCK FATHER™ Magazine in the past, and as the North American International Toy Fair gets under way (and I prepare to show you some new offerings from The Bridge Direct – stay tuned), news just rolled in that the two companies are set to merge, with plans to get even bigger in the years to come, thanks to an aggressive plan to continue acquisitions and mergers. The pairing should bode well for consumers, retailers and some fellow toymakers alike.
“It is no secret that industry stakeholders are looking to do more business with fewer and stronger partners. This makes it harder for smaller companies to stay relevant and competitive,” said Jay Foreman CEO of The Bridge. “Challenges facing the industry are compounded by the additional costs and complexities associated with meeting the increasingly high safety standards required by regulators, retailers and licensors. As a result, many industry business owners are looking for a way to scale up, reduce their risk or simply cash out.”
“It is our expectation to acquire or merge with new businesses every twelve to eighteen months. Our strategy is designed to offer these owners a convenient solution with access to global markets,” said Brad Pedersen President and CEO of Tech 4 Kids. “This move will provide a unique platform that will position us amongst the top tier of toy manufacturers in North America and provide the growth plan to reinforce our position as a key industry player.”
The new company will begin to show product lines at the Fall Toy Preview in Dallas in October. The head office will be located in Boca Raton, Florida, and offices will continue to be maintained in Toronto and Hong Kong.
Stay tuned for more Toy News, right here on THE ROCK FATHER™ Magazine!
