Graco: Difference between revisions
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Graco is one of the largest stroller brands in the US and sold in mass market stores like Walmart and Target, as well as online on Amazon. | Graco is one of the largest stroller brands in the US and sold in mass market stores like Walmart and Target, as well as online on Amazon. | ||
The company was founded in 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Russell Gray and Robert Cone. The name Graco comes from both of their last names. | The company was founded in 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Russell Gray and Robert Cone. The name Graco comes from the first few letters of both of their last names. | ||
The company was orignially called Graco Metal Products and it produced machine and car parts for local businesses. | |||
In the 1950s, Graco started to focus on producing baby products. In 1955, the company introduced the world's first wind-up infant swing, which was a huge success in the midst of the post World War II baby boom. | In the 1950s, Graco started to focus on producing baby products. In 1955, the company introduced the world's first wind-up infant swing, which was a huge success in the midst of the post World War II baby boom. | ||
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In 1998, Graco was acquired by Rubbermaid, which had earlier purchased Graco rival Century. In the mid 90's, Century had released the first travel system the combined an infant car seat and stroller. Rubbermaid merged Century and Graco's baby gear lines under the Graco line, phasing out the Century name (until reviving it in the early 2020's). | In 1998, Graco was acquired by Rubbermaid, which had earlier purchased Graco rival Century. In the mid 90's, Century had released the first travel system the combined an infant car seat and stroller. Rubbermaid merged Century and Graco's baby gear lines under the Graco line, phasing out the Century name (until reviving it in the early 2020's). | ||
During the past two decades, Graco has expanded its stroller lines by aquuring other brands, most notably Baby Jogger in 2014 . The company also bought the Japanese stroller brand Aprica in 2008, although that brand is dormant as of this writing. | During the past two decades, Graco has expanded its stroller lines by aquuring other brands, most notably Baby Jogger for $210 million in 2014<ref>https://ir.newellbrands.com/news-releases/news-release-details/newell-rubbermaid-acquire-baby-jogger-holdings-inc</ref>. The company also bought the Japanese stroller brand Aprica in 2008, although that brand is dormant as of this writing. | ||
Meanwhile, parent Rubbermaid was acquired by Newell Company in 1999. In 2016, Newell acquired Jarden and changed the name of the company to [[wikipedia:Newell_Brands|Newell Brands]]. | Meanwhile, parent Rubbermaid was acquired by Newell Company in 1999. In 2016, Newell acquired Jarden and changed the name of the company to [[wikipedia:Newell_Brands|Newell Brands]]. | ||
== Flagship Model: Graco Modes == | |||
Graco makes a large number of strollers—52 active models as of this writing. The strollers are divided into travel systems, lightweight strollers, double strollers, wagons, jogging strollers and full-size strollers. | |||
Graco's strollers are manufactured on similar platforms (the Modes, for example)—then small changes are made to models as exclusives for various retailers. | |||
Revision as of 22:45, 9 May 2023
Graco is one of the largest stroller brands in the US and sold in mass market stores like Walmart and Target, as well as online on Amazon.
The company was founded in 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Russell Gray and Robert Cone. The name Graco comes from the first few letters of both of their last names.
The company was orignially called Graco Metal Products and it produced machine and car parts for local businesses.
In the 1950s, Graco started to focus on producing baby products. In 1955, the company introduced the world's first wind-up infant swing, which was a huge success in the midst of the post World War II baby boom.
The 1960's and 70's, Graco added high chairs, playpens and other baby gear. The company also launched a series of car seats and strollers.
In 1998, Graco was acquired by Rubbermaid, which had earlier purchased Graco rival Century. In the mid 90's, Century had released the first travel system the combined an infant car seat and stroller. Rubbermaid merged Century and Graco's baby gear lines under the Graco line, phasing out the Century name (until reviving it in the early 2020's).
During the past two decades, Graco has expanded its stroller lines by aquuring other brands, most notably Baby Jogger for $210 million in 2014[1]. The company also bought the Japanese stroller brand Aprica in 2008, although that brand is dormant as of this writing.
Meanwhile, parent Rubbermaid was acquired by Newell Company in 1999. In 2016, Newell acquired Jarden and changed the name of the company to Newell Brands.
Flagship Model: Graco Modes
Graco makes a large number of strollers—52 active models as of this writing. The strollers are divided into travel systems, lightweight strollers, double strollers, wagons, jogging strollers and full-size strollers.
Graco's strollers are manufactured on similar platforms (the Modes, for example)—then small changes are made to models as exclusives for various retailers.