Munchkin (company)
Munchkin, Inc. is an American infant and toddler company headquartered in Van Nuys, California. It was founded in 1991 by Steven B. Dunn and is known for designing, developing, manufacturing and distributing infant and toddler products.[1]
Private company | |
Industry | Infant and Toddler Products |
Founded | 1991 |
Headquarters | Van Nuys, California , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Steven B. Dunn (CEO) Tom Emrey (CFO/COO) Diana Barnes (CBO) |
Products | Feeding, Bath, Travel, Safety, Gates, Nursery Essentials, Diapering |
Number of employees | Over 300 |
Subsidiaries | Grassfed, Milkmakers, Brica |
Website | www |
History
In 1991, Dunn, surprised at the lack of creative design in the infant and toddler category, founded Munchkin with $2.5 million.[1][2][3] The company has 220 patents, including one for its Miracle 360 sippy cup, and has manufactured more than 600 products.[4][5] Dunn serves as the lead inventor for many of the company's products.[1][6]
In 2010, Munchkin acquired Lindam, a safety brand for babies.[7]
In 2014, Munchkin acquired Brica, a travel accessories brand for babies and toddlers.[8]
In 2016, Munchkin acquired Milkmakers, a manufacturer of lactogenic cookies and teas.[9]
Munchkin manufactures Grass Fed, an infant formula made with milk from grass-fed cows.[10]
Philanthropy
In 2015, Dunn pledged to donate $1 million to The Whale Sanctuary Project to help build a coastal ocean sanctuary for captive orcas after watching the documentary Blackfish.[11] In 2018, Munchkin partnered with the International Fund for Animal Welfare by featuring at-risk or endangered animals, like the African elephant or red fox, on a line of its Miracle Cups to raise awareness about conservation and animal rights.[12]
Munchkin is a sponsor of The Seedling Project and plants a tree for every diaper pail sold. As of February 2019, more than 400,000 trees had been planted, via Trees for the Future.[13] The company also supports Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Baby2Baby.[14]
References
- Never Grow Old: Munchkin Relies on Innovation to Expand Line of Baby Products, LA Times, March 1995, Retrieved October 2014
- Family Affair, Forbes, Nov. 2002, Retrieved October 2014
- "David J. Dunn: Executive Profile & Biography - Bloomberg". Bloomberg. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
- "Patents Assigned to Munchkin, Inc. - Justia Patents Search". patents.justia.com. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
- "Munchkin Inc". Retail Merchandiser. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
- "Father of Invention". Earnshaw's Magazine. 2014-08-01. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
- "Warning over 'unsafe' child stair gates". BBC News. 2018-10-15. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
- "Charlotte child-products company BRICA acquired". Charlotte Business Journal. 2014-01-08.
- Ortenberg, Carol (2016-09-16). "All Grown Up: Baby and Mommy Brands Acquired". NOSH. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
- 张洁. "Grass-Fed infant formula an industry first - USA - Chinadaily.com.cn". usa.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
- Hanson, Hilary (16 November 2015). "CEO Offers $1 Million Toward Sanctuary, Asks SeaWorld To Free One Orca". Huffington Post. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- Parr, Jacqui. "Munchkin announces wildlife partnership". Preschool News. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- "Munchkin, Inc". trees.org. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- "Rhinos, and Seals, and CHLA! Oh My!". CHLA. 2015-07-15. Retrieved 2019-05-24.