Graco
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 stroller line revolves around major platforms (the modular Modes stroller line, for example)—then small changes are made to models as exclusives for various retailers.
Confusingly, Graco will use the same name (Modes) across different stroller types. For example, the Modes started as a full-size stroller but later Graco introduced a Modes jogger and Modes stroller wagon. The Modes line current has 31 different models.
Given its best-seller status on sites like Amazon, the Graco Modes Pramette Travel System is currently the flagship Graco model.
Sold as a stroller plus car seat (Graco SnugRide 35), this model features a seat that turns into a lay-flat bassinet for infants (the Infant Pramette) that faces the parent. Then the seat can be turned around for older toddlers, facing out.
The Graco Modes Pramette Travel System also features a child's tray with cup holders, height-adjustable handle and large storage basket, which is a hallmark of most Graco strollers. The seat also removes so it can be used soley with an infant car seat.
As a modular stroller, the Graco Modes Pramette Travel System functions much the same way as the high-end UPPAbaby Vista, albeit at about a third of the price. The basic wheels and suspension, however, are one compromise at this price point—most parents argue that the UPPAbaby Vista and the like are easier to push and steer.
Less expensive versions of this stroller (such as the Modes Element DLX Travel System) omit the lay-flat bassinet mode, although they still accomodate an infant car seat.
Double Strollers: Graco Ready2Grow, Graco DuoGlider
Graco's other major stroller category are double strollers in a tandem (front/back) configuration. These strollers are designed to carry a baby and slightly older child (toddler).
The Graco Ready2Grow is a hybrid model that allows four configurations: two stroller seats, a seat plus standing-platform, two infant car seats (not included) and a seat plus jump seat in back for the older child. The weight limit is 50 lbs in the front seat and 40 lbs in the rear seat (when using the rear seat for a younger child).
Here is what the various configurations look like:
The Graco DuoGlider Double Stroller is a traditional front/back tandem stroller which can accept 2 infant car seats (Graco SnugRide).
Graco’s claim to fame in this niche is “stadium seating,” where the rear seat is elevated. Of course, you get all the standard features: huge storage baskets, removable canopies, etc. Cool feature: The DuoGlider holds two Graco infant car seats.