A change of priorities leads to Kaloo
Industry Faces
By Lisa Casinger -- Kids Today, 2/1/2009 12:00:00 AM
Who: Eric Panciulo, founder/president of Kaloo, Inc.
Background: Panciulo began as a toy manufacturer in the 1990s, but when his first son, Lucas, was born it changed his appreciation of children’s products and his approach to product development.
Why toys: “I have always been very creative, and it was the perfect way to mix business with pleasure. Indeed, it is definitely a playful and interesting field,” he said. “When Lucas was born I experienced first hand that so many children’s products are inappropriate for little people — they are too rigid, too sharp, or just poorly made. It took four years after his birth for Kaloo to come to life, but from day one I started dreaming about creating the perfect children’s “doudou.”
The doudou, literally translated, means little and soft or soft and sweetie; a lovie. The doudou, teddy bear and zing pull musical were the first Kaloo products launched in 1998. The name Kaloo actually comes from Lucas’ name — pronounced phonetically as Lu-Ka in French and turned around it becomes Ka-Lu or Kaloo.
The process: Panciulo describes the design process as a group effort involving various departments.
“The concept originates from within our creative designers’ team,” he said. “A theme is elaborated on and a story defined. These words are then translated into a drawing; the impression is transcribed into shapes, patterns and materials.”
Kaloo’s brand signature is the combination of color harmony and touch, according to Panciulo and each product goes through a couple of iterations before the final model is created. The process does not end there, however. Next, each product is put through rigorous quality control testing to ensure sewing resistance, torque, tension, drop, impact, fire resistance and toxicity. All Kaloo products bear the CE stamp, synonymous with compliance to European safety standards. And then, once arranged in their round gift boxes, a Kaloo soft toy is ready for purchase.
When it comes to quality Panciulo is committed to surpassing the European Standards he says, “because when you have children, you realize the absolute necessity of surrounding them with toys and clothes that are safe. Our commitment to quality involves that we control the entire production process: we don’t outsource.”
The brand has a distinct look and Panciulo says this comes from its “fundamental design and quality.”
“We have an in-house team of French designers, who work all together to bring all of their many ideas to fruition,” he said. “When you walk into the design room, it is just so full of drawings, collages, fabrics, hand sewed products with fabrics and colors stuck on them, magazines, music, etc. That makes Kaloo products unique: our designers not only have great ideas, they also have fun.”
His favorite design is the Kaloo Patapouf; one of the oldest and best selling items in the extensive line. “It is just so round, and soft and cuddly that all little ones love it,” he said.
Kaloo products, which include everything from plush and apparel to textiles, accessories, décor and furniture, are sold in 39 countries (its perfumes are in 80) through carefully selected distribution channels, and can be purchased in more than 4,500 points of sales worldwide. For instance, in USA, you can find Kaloo primarily in upscale specialty boutiques and Saks Fifth Avenue. Since 2005, the company also has had its own Kaloo boutiques, 18 currently in Europe and Asia, which Panciulo intends to develop worldwide.
The challenges: Panciulo says his biggest challenge is to properly raise his two sons; Lucas is 14 and Edouard is 10.
“I want them to be responsible grown ups, and sometimes, it is a hard job. As a single man you are consumed with your own life,” he said. “Family makes you more aware of what is going on around you and how important it is to give back.”
Kaloo celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and the classic Patapouf is still going strong.
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