Chicago is My Home

02
Jul

Enesco to Buy Soft-Toy Maker Gund, Adds New Brand to Increasing Portfolio

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Business

ITASCA, Ill. – Enesco, which is an Itasca, Ill.-based distributor of some of the world’s most recognizable brands (including the Walt Disney Classics Collection), said on Tuesday it has acquired stuffed-animal maker Gund. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 1898 by German immigrant Adoplh Gund, the Edison, N.J.-based company made a name for itself as a leading soft-toy manufacturer in the U.S. Gund introduced the understuffed technique that gave its products an extra squeezable feel.

Gund CEO Bruce Raiffe said in a Tuesday statement that it was a difficult decision to sell the family run business but he is confident the company will continue to build upon its strong heritage. Gund will be added to Enesco’s already extensive portfolio. Enesco sells a wide range of giftware and décor.

“We continue to focus on building Enesco’s portfolio of strong, consumer-driven brands and look forward to the addition of more great artists and brands to the Enesco family in the future,” Enesco executive chairman Matthew Bousquette said in a Tuesday statement.

By Megan O’Neil