Vermont Wooden Toys

Recalls Make-Fashioned old toys from the hottest thing New

By Alison Marek & Julie L. Jones

December 2007

If you have not stored on wooden toys, you might miss! Frightened by the reminders of China, the buyers of vacation are raiding specialty stores for wooden toys, particular those made stateside. Manufacturers said TD monthly magazine, they are struggling to meet demand and we expect that the fervor will continue in 2008 ... and beyond.

A trend FAR scope

"The toy industry wants to make it sound like [the reaction to the recall] is not big ... and people will return to purchase as usual, but it happens", reported Michael Rainville, co-owner of Maple Landmark Woodcraft Co.

"Once people start to get the toys better, that's what they want," predicted Marilyn Chalais Agent U.S. Holztiger.

Unprecedented growth

frantic orders for wooden toys after recalls have been reported from nine manufacturers of wooden toys for 12 years who spoke with TD Monthly, two others reported that their sales in 4Q are much better than last year, but Some reminders are not directly responsible.

So what constitutes a "frenzy"?

"300 percent growth," said Michael once Whitworth, founder of Whittle Toy Company, and founder / Designer Jason Golden of Camden Rose.

"1000 times over the past two years," was the reply Joe Barrett, Automoblox CEO.

"We have not even opened new accounts since October, because that's all we can do to meet our current activities," continued Rainville.

Owner Ron Voakes 35 Vermont Wooden Toys TD month said demand was so high this fall there was even a chance to email customers who usually buy each year. "We do not have a single toy left," he said.

Hape has opened 250 new retail accounts in three weeks this fall and will probably double the income of last year, said CEO Maggie Who. The Whittle Toy Company jumped 73 affiliated stores in the spring to more than 400 on December 6, Whitworth said TD month.

Are good WIN

new guidance to consumers on the quality toys is consistent with their concerns about the environmental impact of the industry. "Everything [we] increased from sustainable, locally grown hardwoods," assured

Royce Bjornstad, Mossy Creek Woodworks owner. "We have not paint or varnish - just use a finished mineral oil food quality."

Deciduous trees in Camden Rose products are not only local, they are personal: "Not only do I know who made the toddler zooming cars, but I can also tell you the specific tree," insisted Gold. He added that the company never forage in environments polluted "because I have no idea what [the tree] absorbed in his life."

A Christmas BOUNTIFUL

Retailers benefit from the new priorities of consumers, too. "The biggest thing we do is Kapla," said Eric Masconcup, owner of Geppetto's Toy Box in Oak Park, Illinois, he has a screen of 3500 European-made wooden planks Kapla in the window plus another 4,000 in the store play. Masoncup also said he is out of stock trucks of wood, Fagus imports from Germany.

Founder Caroline Deal online retailer Sum-Bo-Shine has not seen a difference in sales, but to 85 percent of its customers this year are new customers, and many wooden toys are after Estia.