The leading soft toy manufacturer in America, is also the oldest. GUND was founded in 1898, in Norwalk, Connecticut by Adolph Gund. GUND was one of the first companies to design and produce teddy bears in the early 1900’s. A young Russian immigrant, Jacob Swedlin, took a modest job at GUND in 1907. Swedlin bought the business in 1925 when Adolph Gund retired. The business was sold to Swedlin for a token sum with the understanding the name would always remain Gund. Jacob passed the company on to his daughter Rita Raiffe and her husband Herbert in 1969.
The Raiffes continued producing high quality, plush toys. Under the direction of Herbert and Rita Raiffe, the company began using its under-stuffing technique, the heart of the worlds most huggable plush. Bruce Raiffe, Herbert and Rita’s son, joined Gund in 1977, became President in 1993 and Chairman and Chief CEO in 2004. Jim Madison, the first non-founding GUND member, became President in 2004.
GUND has been responsible for the beginning of many innovations, safety standards and manufacturing processes in the toy industry. Swedlin introduced the concept of industry licensing with cartoon characters like Felix the Cat, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Popeye, among others. Gund was also the first to manufacture a musical toy that was modestly priced. Gund has always been devoted to product safety and set an important industry standard by devising a way to attach eyes securely to stuffed animals, to prevent them from being pulled out and swallowed by small children.
The famous GOTTA GETTA GUND advertising campaign in the earl 80’s made the GUND recognized as a leading consumer brand. Today, the company produces an extensive collection of unique characters and licensed plush toys under the GUND and babyGUND brands.
25 YEARS OF SNUFFLES.
In 2006 Gund created the 25th Anniversary snuffles. Snuffles has always been a part of the GUND collection, in various sizes and colors. The 25th Anniversary edition was created in a pale blush, soft, fabric with a white crescent moon on his chest. A faux leather tag declaring that he is a 25th Anniversary edition with the words, “Celebrate Love With Snuffles” makes this a special gift to give and receive. In addition to Snuffles Anniversary edition, this cuddly bear is also available in a traditional color of white with a brown embroidered nose and warm deep brown button eyes in four adorable sizes: 6 1/2″, 8″, 10″ and 13 1/2″.
You see the name of GUND on teddy bears everywhere. Gund is the most popular name when it comes to plush, stuffed teddy bears. They have some very unique and interesting teddy bears you will find anywhere. Although you are unable to order teddy bears directly from the factory, their web site will direct you to the nearest store, or site, offering GUND teddy bears for sale
Visit, www.gund.com, to see the many teddy bears, and teddy bear collections they have to offer, and find a GUND distributor near you.
