Munchkin (company)

Munchkin, Inc. is a privately-held infant and toddler product company headquartered in Van Nuys, California. It was founded in 1991 by Steven B. Dunn and is known for designing, developing, manufacturing and distributing infant and toddler supplies.[2]

Munchkin, Inc.
TypePrivate company
IndustryInfant and toddler products
Founded1991
Headquarters
Van Nuys, California
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Steven B. Dunn (CEO)

Tom Emrey (CFO/COO)

Diana Barnes (CBO)
ProductsChild and parenting products for feeding, bath, travel, safety, gates, nursery, diapering
Number of employees
280[1]
WebsiteMunchkin (old): www.munchkininc.com
Munchkin (new): www.munchkin.com
em-bry-on-ics: www.em-bry-on-ics.com

History

Steven B. Dunn founded Munchkin with $2.5 million in 1991.[2][3]

By 1995, its products were distributed in 20 countries.[4]

In 2010, Munchkin acquired Lindam, a Harrogate UK-based safety product brand for babies.[5]

In 2014, Munchkin acquired Brica, a maker of travel accessories for babies and toddlers.[6]

In 2016, Munchkin acquired Milkmakers, a manufacturer of lactogenic cookies.[7]

In February 2020, the company added prenatal tea, belly balm, and nausea relief drops to its Milkmaker line.[8]

In January 2022, Munchkin announced it was working with sustainable polymer additive company Smart Plastic Technologies. Through the partnership, Munchkin will use Smart Plastic's Eclipse technology which is designed to bioassimilate polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, so the plastic completely biodegrades.[9]

Business

Munchkin manufactures more than 600 products for infants and toddlers.[10] It holds over 300 patents,[1] including one for its Miracle 360 sippy cup.[11][12] Dunn serves as the lead inventor for many of the company's products.[2][13]

The company also has a licensing deal with Baby Toon, a soft silicone spoon designed by Cassidy Crowley, who featured in the season 11 premiere episode of the reality investment TV program Shark Tank[14] when she was 10 years old.

Former NBC anchor, Lynn Smith, is the host of Munchkin's podcast "StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast."[15]

In 2023, Fortune magazine ranked Munchkin eighth on a list of America’s most innovative companies.[1]

Sustainability

Munchkin's sustainability efforts include goals to reduce packing materials and increase its use of recyclable plastics.[9]

The company participates in Walmart's Project Gigaton to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and is also part of the United Nations Global Compact sustainability initiative.[9]

After a pet-rescue organization in Missouri informed the company that the packaging material from some of its infant drinking cups had injured one of its rescued cats, Munchkin redesigned the packaging so that it was plastic-free and animal-safe. The new packaging is made of 60 to 70 percent recycled, compostable material, and is now used on a broad range of Munchkin products.[16] The change has also reduced the amount of plastic Munchkin uses by over 320 tons annually.[17]

Munchkin is a sponsor of the Seedling Project and plants a tree for every diaper pail sold. As of February 2020, the project reported that more than 2,000,000 trees had been planted.[18] The company also supports Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Baby2Baby.[19]

In 2022, the Los Angeles Business Journal named Munchkin Honoree Sustainable Company of the Year.[20]

Philanthropy

In 2015, after watching the documentary Blackfish, Dunn pledged to donate $1 million to the Whale Sanctuary Project to help build a coastal ocean sanctuary for captive orcas.[21] In 2018, Munchkin partnered with the International Fund for Animal Welfare by featuring at-risk or endangered animals, such as the African elephant and red fox, on a line of its Miracle Cups to raise awareness about conservation and animal rights.[22]

Munchkin is an ongoing donor to Trees for the Future and has funded the planting of over 4 million trees in sub-Saharan Africa.[23]

References
  1. Nusca, Andrew (March 29, 2023). "Munchkin transformed once- mundane baby products with creative twists—and has now sold to nearly every American family". Fortune.com. Fortune Media IP Limited. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  2. "Never Grow Old: Munchkin Relies on Innovation to Expand Line of Baby Products". LA Times. March 28, 1995. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  3. "Family Affair". Forbes. November 25, 2002. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  4. Macht, Joshua D. (March 15, 1995). "Growing Global". Inc. 17 (4). Retrieved 13 June 2023. Munchkin now distributes in more than 20 countries
  5. "Baby business acquired by US company". Insider Media. January 15, 2010. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  6. "Charlotte child-products company BRICA acquired". Charlotte Business Journal. January 8, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  7. Ortenberg, Carol (September 16, 2016). "All Grown Up: Baby and Mommy Brands Acquired". NOSH. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  8. "Now Munchkin's Milkmakers Has A New Line Just For Moms-To-Be". Romkper. February 17, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  9. "Munchkin to Develop Materials Using Plastics that Naturally Break Down". Environment Leader. January 27, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  10. "Munchkin Inc". Retail Merchandiser. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  11. "US patents Assigned to Munchkin, Inc". US Patent Collection. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  12. "International patents Assigned to Munchkin, Inc". Espacenet patent search. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  13. "Father of Invention". Earnshaw's Magazine. August 1, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  14. "The Baby Toon Update - Shark Tank Season 11". Shark Tank Recap. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  15. "Lynn Smith Podcasts". LynnSmithTV.com. Rylan Media. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  16. Garcia, Catherine (September 15, 2022). "Stray kitten inspires company to redesign its packaging for the better". The Future plc. The Week. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  17. "An injured kitty gave rise to a sustainability drive that will cut plastic usage by 643,630 pounds". Scoop.Upworthy.com. Good Inc. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  18. "Munchkin, Inc". trees.org. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  19. "Rhinos, and Seals, and CHLA! Oh My!". CHLA. July 15, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  20. "HSBC SUSTAINABLE COMPANY OF THE YEAR HONOREE: MUNCHKIN INC". LABusinessJournal.com. Los Angeles Business Journal. December 19, 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  21. Hanson, Hilary (November 16, 2015). "CEO Offers $1 Million Toward Sanctuary, Asks SeaWorld To Free One Orca". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  22. Parr, Jacqui. "Munchkin announces wildlife partnership". Preschool News. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  23. "There's Power in Partnership". Trees.org. Retrieved 19 July 2023. We are currently working in nine countries across sub-Saharan Africa.
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