Hedstrom

Hedstrom Corporation is an American manufacturer and marketer of children's toy and outdoor recreation products. As a major licensee, Hedstrom carries popular children brands such as Disney, Mattel, Warner Brothers, and Nickelodeon.

History
1914 - Founded as Eagle Rubber in Ashland, OH.

1915 - Carl Hedstrom founded Hedstrom Corporation. The Massachusetts company originally was a manufacturer of bicycles.

1923 - Hedstrom began making children's playballs.

1936 - Hedstrom entered the children's ride toy business with the acquisition of CVC Corporation.

1966 - Hedstrom relocated its headquarters and manufacturing operations to a new plant in Bedford, Pennsylvania, the current site of the Backyard & Fun Products Division.

1971 - Brown Shoe Company purchased Hedstrom.

1981 - The company acquired Eagle Rubber Company, located in Ashland, Ohio, providing plastics manufacturing capabilities for rubber playballs, balloons, and sporting equipment. Ashland, Ohio is the current site of the Ball, Bounce & Sport Division.

1985 - Jepson Corporation acquired Hedstrom from Brown Shoe.

1988 - The company acquired Barr Rubber Company, expanding the plastic manufacturing capabilities in Ashland, Ohio.

1989 - The Great American Industrial Group, Inc., acquired Hedstrom Corporation from Jepson.

1990 - The company expanded its distribution into Canada with the acquisition of Preston Manufacturing Ltd. of Ontario, Canada.

1991 - The principals of DAI acquired Hedstrom. Since then, the company has grown to be the leading North American manufacturer in children's leisure and play products.

1997 - Hedstrom acquired ERO Industries and Bollinger Industries, Inc. (a leading trampoline manufacturer).

1998 - Hedstrom acquired Backyard Play Products (a Canadian wood gym manufacturer).