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
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]
On November 7, 2022, Zuru used the US courts to get the names and details of former employees who left negative comments on review site Glassdoor. Zuru filed in a California court to subpoena Glassdoor for information about posters who wrote scathing reviews of the workplace environment and management at Zuru. Zuru were successful in the courtroom, defeating the defendant, Glassdoor. [3]
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.[4]
Trademark Infringement
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.[5] [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.[6]
Zuru was also sued by Lego for its ZURU Max Build More building sets, for saying that it was compatible with Lego.[7]
Recognition
In 2022, Crazy Bunch O Balloons by Zuru won the Outdoor Toy of the Year award.[8]
In December 2024, the Mowbrays were named 'visionary leaders of the year' at the 2024 Deloitte Top 200 Awards.[9]
Brands
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.[5][better source needed]
Partnership
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
- ^ 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.
- ^ Block, George (18 February 2022). "Kiwi toy giant Zuru wants to identify and sue former workers". Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.