Zuru (company)
 Logo used since 2023 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry |
|
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder | Nick Mowbray & Mat Mowbray |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong |
| Brands |
|
| Website | https://zuru.com/ |
Zuru (stylized as ZURU) is a Hong Kong–based toy, disruptive, and a FMCG company that manufactures multiple brands of toys and consumer goods products. As of 2024[update], the company operates four main divisions: ZURU Toys, ZURU Edge, ZURU Tech, and Rhodes Pet Science.[1]
History
[edit]
When Nick Mowbray was twelve in 1997, he designed and created a hot air balloon model kit, won by a national science fair in New Zealand. He started selling the kits with his brother, Mat, as a first mini business of also delivering. They sold their kits throughout high school, and eventually decided to attend university. They returned to delivering kits after one year of university[1]
In 2003, Mowbray moved to Hong Kong from New Zealand and at age 18, with his brother, started a factory in Guangzhou, China. They were financed with a $20,000 loan from their parents, which they used to buy an injection molding machine. Soon after they ran into difficulties due to a lack of managerial and administrive experience, communication skills and knowledge of intellectual property legislation.[2] In 2005, their sister Anna joined the business. The company was named Zuru after they discovered their original name had been trademarked by a different company.[2]
Walmart later expressed interest in Zuru's products and began selling them in their stores.[2]
In November 2024, CBS News 8 reported on a Zuru product that was featuring explicit language. Phrases containing "manic," "motorized rage fire," "berzerko," "mad mega barrel," and "insanity" were on boxes marketed towards children.[3]
Trademark Infringement
[edit]In May 2019, Zuru had settled all pending infringement proceedings with Telebrands and Bulbhead.com LLC for making ZURU Bunch o Balloons product similar to their Balloon Bonanza, Battle Balloons and Easy Einstein products. Their settlement issued a full payment of $31 million final judgment, including additional substantial payment for Telebrands' product infringement and agreement that they will not sell any of their accused products.[4] [better source needed]
In 2020, Zuru was blocked by Lego from making its version of minifigures, as the court found ZURU infringed upon Lego's trademark.[5]
Zuru was also sued by Lego for its ZURU Max Build More building sets, for saying that it was compatible with Lego.[6]
Recognition
[edit]In 2022, Crazy Bunch O Balloons by Zuru won the Outdoor Toy of the Year award.[7]
In December 2024, the Mowbrays were named 'visionary leaders of the year' at the 2024 Deloitte Top 200 Awards.[8]
Sustainability
[edit]The company has been known for designing their toy products to be more recyclable and reusable. As of 2019, Bunch O Balloons itself and the stem's rubber material had changed to recyclable natural rubber latex, and its packaging is recyclable, too. The company also partnered with TerraCycle.[9][better source needed]
Brands
[edit]Zuru created a variety of brands over the years [10] including X-Shot, Bunch O Balloons, 5 Surprise, Mini Brands, X-Shot Water, Rainbocorn, Gumi Yum, and Snackles. They also partnered with The Walt Disney Company,[11] Nickelodeon, Universal Studios, and DreamWorks.[4][better source needed]
Partnership
[edit]In 2024, the company announced a collaboration with Ulta Beauty in designing a first-ever beauty Mini Brands collection.[12] They also launched a partnership with KFC.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Mega, Laurie (16 December 2022). "Nick Mowbray Believes Entrepreneurs Can't Lose". Foundr. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Harrison, Virginia (16 December 2019). "How a university dropout built a toy empire". BBC News. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Day, Jenny (1 November 2024). "Children's toy gun raises concerns over violent messaging". Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ a b "ZURU Bunch O Balloons Infringement" PR Newswire, Retrieved 2 February 2024
- ^ "LEGO Blocks Out ZURU in Copyright Dispute Over Minifigures | Incontestable Blog" Finnegan | Leading Intellectual Property Law Firm, Retrieved 29 January 2024
- ^ Cao, Sean (19 July 2023). "NZ toy company ZURU loses trademark case against Lego". Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "2022 Toy of the Year Award Winners" Toy Association, Retrieved 31 December 2023
- ^ Skellern, Graham (5 December 2024). "Zuru Group's Mowbrays named visionary leaders of the year at Deloitte Top 200 Awards". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ "How ZURU plans to save the future" PR Newswire, Retrieved 5 January 2024
- ^ Kirsch, Noah (20 August 2019). ""To Infinity And Beyond: The Mowbray Siblings Assembled A Billion-Dollar Fortune From Cheap Toys. Can They Create Something Grander?"". Forbes. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "ZURU Collaborates with Disney on Mini Brands" License Global, Retrieved 21 December 2023,
- ^ Slater, Ellen (30 September 2024). "ZURU, Ulta Beauty Strike Deal for Mini Brands". Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Connell, Samantha (5 April 2024). "ZURU Launches Mini Brands KFC". Retrieved 5 November 2024.