JPMA offers new designs, innovative product and more

By Lisa Casinger -- Kids Today, 6/1/2006

Though attendance was a little off, according to exhibitors at the 2006 Juvenile Product Manufac-turers 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.

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

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.

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

“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.

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.

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.