JPMA offers new designs, innovative product and more

Though attendance was a little off, according to exhibitors at the 2006 Juvenile Product Manufacturers Assn. show in Orlando last month, there was no shortage of new product and excitement. Vendors we spoke with said they'd made important contacts and met with some of their key accounts. Official tallies report 462 exhibitors showed more than 700 new products in half a million gross square feet and there were 1,653 buyers.

More than 1,100 people attended the industry party at Amity and World Expo Street at Universal Studios, which raised $31,920 for K.I.D.S. (see photos on page 20).

The major announcement made by JPMA Chairman Bill Suvak during the Innovation Awards ceremony was that the show would move to Chicago in 2008.

"JPMA is excited about the relocation to Chicago in 2008," said Mike Dwyer, JPMA executive director.

He noted Chicago's central location, abundance of juvenile product related companies within a 300-mile radius, more than 200 direct flights and hotels with a dedicated busway to McCormick Place as reasons for the move.

At the show, several vendors stepped out of their traditional product roles and ventured into new categories.

Nova Lighting debuted a few pieces of juvenile furniture, including a table and chair set for kids, which will retail for about $399, as well as some mod lighting.

"We're looking for ways to increase sales," said Alex Silva of Nova. "These pieces have a more contemporary look. We're offering a storage bench and stool, a revolving bookrack and the table and chair set."

Newco International, the parent company for Harmony Kids and Rock-A-Bye gliders, launched its line of bedding. Six groups were shown with a suggested retail price of $199 each.

"Bedding was a natural progression for us," said Howard Napolske, president of Newco. "This bedding doesn't have any scratchy embellishments or fabrics; it's perfect for babies."

Though Kolcraft has experienced a lot of success with its Jeep, Nascar and Contours gear collections, the company branched out with a line of safety gates at JPMA. Manufactured with safety features that exceed both U.S. and European standards they offer, among other things, an alarm gate.

Allied Aerofoam Products bowed prototypes of its Kids Cushions. The beanbags and foam-filled cushions have T-Ink technology, and with the touch of a button, wireless technology enables the user to listen to the radio or a self-provided iPod or rev up and run a remote-controlled car.

New names hit the show floor also, like Kalencom's collection of diaper bags with fashion designer Cynthia Rowley. The more modern looks feature all leather, leather and heavy duck cloth and leather with heavy denier nylon bags with suggested retail prices of $250–$300.

Crown Craft opened up distribution of its Waverly and Eddie Bauer crib bedding collections and added Scooby Doo Toddler to its mix.

Delta bowed its licensing line with Hasbro Games. The collection has table and chair sets with themes like Scrabble, Candy Land, Operation and Monopoly.

Vendors are trying to extend the life and usefulness of their products, whether that means strollers built for an infant and toddler, potty chairs that graduate to step stools, car/booster seats that hold children up to 80 pounds or bottles that convert to sippy cups with the change of a lid.

Pink and blue still dominate the color palette, but browns, lime greens, oranges and more are finding a home on bedding, gear, diaper bags, feeding products and play yards.

Vintage and modern looks are gaining popularity, and manufacturers recognize the urban markets with more compact products that fold and store easily.

Fashion designer Cynthia Rowley bowed a line of luxury diaper bags for Kalencom.

The mod clock table lamp, $99, from Nova Lighting is available in a hip retro green or orange and features a clock built right into the lamp base.

Newco International debuted six bedding collections like this set with a mix of textures in shades on pink, yellow and green.

Tub Time Solutions' inflatable tub liner, $19.99, attaches with suction cups and features educational shapes, colors and the ABCs.

The Wheely Bug riding toy from Prince Lionhart, is available in two sizes, $59 and $69, and three fun looks, ladybug, cow and bumble bee.

Silver Cross introduced its new 3D, which converts from a stroller to a pram.

Brooks Pond's Buggy Blanket has insulated fabrics to keep babies warm in winter. The cover's length can be adjusted as the infant grows, and can handle several different seat harnesses. It retails from $99.99–139.99.

Philips' LCD Digital baby monitor's technology guarantees zero interference and allows remote monitoring of temperature, activating the night light and playing lullabies, $199.99.

Sunshine Kids bowed its Radian80 carseat for children who are newborn to 80 pounds. It has a five-point harness and folds flat. It's made with stronger steel and nicer fabric than its predecessor, and the infant insert moves up to become a head support for the older child. It retails for $129.95.

Homegrown Kids showed its vibrant turtle tub, which includes a detachable floating toy that plays the "Mexican Hat Dance," $15.99.

Ritzy Baby's Camo collection, Army Brat, features a reversible carseat cover, $104, for either toddler or infant seats. One side sports a cotton camouflage, the other a pink or blue minky dot. The covers fit most carseats.

Fantasy Furniture moved from pet furniture into the kids industry with a line of furniture constructed like its adult-size counterparts. The frames are wood and the cushion cover unzips for cleaning. This Elegance Chair retails for $160.

Happy Stroller bowed its Swiss Strolli Rider, $140, built for parents with more than one child. It hitches to the frame of almost any stroller and trails beside the parent.

Dwellbaby expanded into room décor with this 100% wool zebra-print rug trimmed in either blue, pink or chocolate, $450.

Duh... by cmyk put together toddler gift packs featuring a boutique princess T-shirt and tiara accented with marabou inside a velvet purse. The gift packs are personalized by eye color, for the green-, brown- or blue-eyed princess. They retail for $28.

The Torino from Combi has bigger wheels, a larger basket, an adjustable handlebar and other features not available on the manufacturer's trifold strollers. It retails for $199.

My Baby Sam launched a bedding line composed of 15 groups, including Denim Patchwork. A four-piece set retails for $240.

Bonavita's transitional Hudson collection is available in three finishes — classic white, classic cherry and natural. The convertible crib retails between $399 and $449.

Blue Woody is an island-styled crib set from Kilohana featuring blankets backed and trimmed with chenille and a ribbed chenille fat cord detailing. The set, $450, includes 12-inch bumper, blanket, 14-inch ruffled skirt and diaper stacker.

Challenge & Fun is distributing Knottiez — a small blankie with a soft doll's head applique. It is washable in high temperatures.

The Fly Boy Airplane rocker, $149.95, from Levels of Discovery is the latest addition to its Rock A Buddies line. It has a "cockpit" door with working steering wheel that turns the propeller, armrest "wings" and two gauges.

The First Years has added licensed characters to its line of guardrails, $30.

The Lola collection, $300–$350, from BananaFish, is made with a luxurious chenille that reverses to bubble and features velvet and sateen as well. The chocolate and pink color combo is offset by modern stripes and dots for a sophisticated, yet fun look.

A pack of 20 individually folded disposable place mats, $7.99, from ABC Development feature Marvel kids characters. The mats have adhesive strips to stay put and are great for restaurant and travel use.

BumpyName, The Original Orbit Label by InchBug, now includes Braille on its backside. This summer the company will offer custom names for its labels, which are constructed of FDA compliant non-toxic material that can be boiled and sterilized. A pack of three labels retails for $6.95–8.95.

Simplicity's new Camille group is offered in antique white and features a feminine sleigh crib. The crib with underbed storage retails for $249.

Joovy's next-generation Caboose now has a breathable mesh seat for more comfortable outings when it's hot. A standard seat cover also is included.

Airflow Collectibles showed a prototype of rockers that install on the bottom of its tin cars and airplanes. The rockers, are $25–30 and the airplane is $299.

Cema Designs debuted Baby O on the Go, a lightweight, breathable scarf that is really a nursing cover. The square scarf attaches to the strap of nursing bras, secured by a nursing ring. Designed with safety in mind, the ring is large enough to pass the standard choke hazard test. The scarf, which is 60% silk/40% polyester, is washable , $36.

MiYim bowed organic toys, $34 each, in collections like Storybook, Sleepytime, Puppet Theatre and Peaceful Dreams. The fabrics are organic, untreated, unbleached and unprocessed.

PottyMD's Potty Monkey is an interactive potty training toy. The monkey has a built-in timer set for 30- to 90-minute prompts. When the child takes the monkey to the bathroom and sits it on its own potty, the toy is reset. It retails for $34.95 and includes the book "Monkey Learns to Potty" by Dana C. Smith.