Holgate Toy Co. is coming to Bradford.
The president of the historic toy company said Tuesday the
acquisition of his company by Pepperell Braiding Co. Inc. is a
strategic move for both sides.
“We’ve been talking about this for some time. It didn’t happen
overnight,” said Dick Bly. “They are a successful company and are
well established in the toy industry and we will be able to take
advantage of their presence in the industry.”
“There’s lots going on – exciting things,” he added, saying that
they plan to expand the classic Holgate toys after the move,
including the “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” line, but declined to
say if there were new products coming up as well.
“Stay tuned,” was all he would say.
Bly said they will move into the Bradford Pepperell plant on
High Street around mid-April and will be totally out of Kane by
May. After the move, there will be no onsight museum or store
selling toys like there is now in Kane. Bly suggested those
interested should get over to Kane soon to make their
purchases.
“We are currently re-working our Web site,” he added. “We will
stay in the same market we are in. We will add more school accounts
and expand through Pepperell.”
Bly said the factory store and museum once attracted thousands
of visitors a year. He said the number of visitors has decreased
recently, especially since the Kinzua Bridge was toppled by a
tornado in 2003.
Pepperell is headquartered in Massachusetts and is a leading
maker of consumer art and craft products. The company was founded
in 1917 and has plants in Massachusetts and Ningbo, China.
Pepperell President, William Slivinski in a press release
stated, “Holgate has a long tradition in the toy industry starting
back in 1929, and we are certainly proud to now have a role in the
company’s future.”
As for the possibility of a museum in Bradford or a store
offering the toys for sale, Bly said they will have a better
understanding down the road of what they may decide to do.
“But (Bill) Slivinski is very supportive of the Bradford area,”
he said.
The Holgate company currently employs two full-time workers and
several part-time employees. Bly said they plan to take several of
the workers to the Bradford plant with them.
Holgate Toys/Pepperell Craft Products will be introduced at the
International Toy Show which starts Saturday in New York City.
Bly said Holgate toys has been exhibited at the show in past
years, but adds that this will be the first exhibit they will be
combined.
He said they will also have a product line at the National
School Supply Show in Atlanta, Ga., in March.
The Pepperell plant has been located in Bradford since 1989 and
employs about 75 employees, according to published reports. Fifty
of those 75 are full-time employees.
In 1929, the Holgate became one of the first toy companies in
the U.S. to research and develop the educational, preschool market
for children.
The trolley used on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was created by
Holgate.
There is also a Kinzua Block Set featuring artwork by Kane
resident Dennis Driscoll.
