Munchkin (company)

Munchkin, Inc. is a privately-held infant and toddler 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.[1]

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)
ProductsFeeding, bath, travel, safety, gates, nursery essentials, diapering
Number of employees
Over 300
SubsidiariesMilkmakers, Brica
Websitewww.munchkin.com

History

Stephen B. Dunn founded Munchkin with $2.5 million in 1991.[1][2]

In 2010, Munchkin acquired Lindam, a safety brand for babies.[3]

In 2014, Munchkin acquired Brica, a travel accessories brand for babies and toddlers.[4]

In 2016, Munchkin acquired Milkmakers, a manufacturer of lactogenic cookies.[5]

In February 2020, the company added prenatal tea, belly balm, and nausea relief drops to its Milkmaker line.[6]

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 that is designed to bioassimilate polyolefins like polyethylene and polypropylene, so the plastic completely biodegrades.[7]

Business

Munchkin manufactures more than 600 products for infants and toddlers.[8] It holds hundreds of patents, including one for its Miracle 360 sippy cup.[9][10] Dunn serves as the lead inventor for many of the company's products.[1][11]

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 reality investment TV program Shark Tank[12] when she was 10 years old.

Munchkin's sustainability efforts include goals to reduce packing materials and increase the amount of recyclable plastics it uses.[7] It participates in Walmart's Project Gigaton to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and is also part of the United Nations Global Compact sustainability initiative.[7]

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

Philanthropy

In 2015, Dunn pledged to donate $1 million to The Whale Sanctuary Project to help build a coastal ocean sanctuary for captive orcas after watching the documentary Blackfish.[13] In 2018, Munchkin partnered with the International Fund for Animal Welfare by featuring at-risk or endangered animals, like the African elephant and red fox, on a line of its Miracle Cups to raise awareness about conservation and animal rights.[14]

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.[15] The company also supports Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Baby2Baby.[16]

References
  1. "Never Grow Old: Munchkin Relies on Innovation to Expand Line of Baby Products". LA Times. March 28, 1995. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  2. "Family Affair". Forbes. November 25, 2002. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  3. "Baby business acquired by US company". Insider Media. January 15, 2010. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  4. "Charlotte child-products company BRICA acquired". Charlotte Business Journal. January 8, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  5. Ortenberg, Carol (September 16, 2016). "All Grown Up: Baby and Mommy Brands Acquired". NOSH. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  6. "Now Munchkin's Milkmakers Has A New Line Just For Moms-To-Be". Romkper. February 17, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  7. "Munchkin to Develop Materials Using Plastics that Naturally Break Down". Environment Leader. January 27, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  8. "Munchkin Inc". Retail Merchandiser. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  9. "US patents Assigned to Munchkin, Inc". US Patent Collection. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  10. "International patents Assigned to Munchkin, Inc". Espacenet patent search. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  11. "Father of Invention". Earnshaw's Magazine. August 1, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  12. "The Baby Toon Update - Shark Tank Season 11". Shark Tank Recap. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  13. Hanson, Hilary (November 16, 2015). "CEO Offers $1 Million Toward Sanctuary, Asks SeaWorld To Free One Orca". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  14. Parr, Jacqui. "Munchkin announces wildlife partnership". Preschool News. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  15. "Munchkin, Inc". trees.org. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  16. "Rhinos, and Seals, and CHLA! Oh My!". CHLA. July 15, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
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