The History of Kettler

For over 60 years Kettler has been a leader inKettler sales have rocketed during the past couple of
bicycles, children's outdoor toys, and other leisureyears. The tricycles' sales, which were growing at a
equipment. Kettler was established 1949 by Heinzrate of 10% annually five years ago, have more
Kettler in the town of Ense-Parsit, Germany. Heinzrecently moved closer to the 20% range, said national
Kettler founded his company in the attic of a woodsales manager for Kettler's U.S.'s toy division, recently
processing company with just six employees. His firstto the Wall Street Journal.
products included aluminum goods such as cookingIn 2004, the Wall Street Journal reported that the
utensils, bakeware, etc. and in 1960 the first Kettcarupscale tricycles had become a target of thieves in
was produced. From a small enterprise, Kettler hashigh scaled neighborhoods. A series of robberies took
grown into a world-wide manufacturer, selling in 60place in the city of Palo Alto, California when a thief
countries with distributors in the U.S., South America,stole two trikes from the same neighborhood. The
Central America and Canada.HKS trikes had become part of a growing brand
From the beginning Kettler dedicated his company toconsciousness among parents, raising interest in pricey
delivering safe, quality, innovative toys for which Kettlerbaby products.
is now known. Kettler's "Made in Germany" principleKettler does not advertise; instead they use what they
ensures that even after 50 years of trading all overcall a "cul-de-sac" marketing approach, relying on
the world, Kettler still manufactures products in its veryword-of-mouth on driveways and in playgrounds to
own, state-of-the-art, German manufacturing facilities,build brand awareness. However, some of their
using various patented and privately owned featuresproducts are so well-known in Germany the word
and technologies. Kettler is organized and managedKettcar appears in the German dictionary. Kettler's
from the head office in Ense-Parsit, where employeestrikes were once were sold mainly in New York City
develop and produce innovative and high qualityboutiques and a few catalogs "A Trike with Snob
products for people of all ages to enjoy.Appeal." Isegoria (2004). Kettler Tricycles have
Kettler controls the quality of their products from startexpanded rapidly and are now sold in many upscale
to finish with their own in-house, fully computerized, andtoy dealers in the U.S. as well as Canada, South
high-tech metal preparation process. Kettler productsAmerica, and Central America.
are also created using a 360 degrees consistentKettler has been recognized around the world as an
welding technology, guaranteeing smooth and durableicon of safe, innovative, and ergonomically designed
joints. The metal is then encased it in multistep, leadproducts and toys. The "kid-proof" engineering of the
free and water based powder coat. The result is aKettler Kettrikes provides the ultimate fun and safety
five year anti-fade guarantee on the paint.for children! Kettler's list of most well-known products
In the 1970's Kettler became a "name brand" andincludes the Kettler tricycles that are of the highest
introduced a superior range of products to specialtyquality and are made from environmentally friendly
dealers. Kettler's very own ping pong table was theresources.
official table used at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.After many years, Kettler has continued to surpass all
Kettler HKS products, which stands for the "Heinzexpectations with their commitment to quality,
Kettler Special", are distinguished by their high quality,innovation, and above all, safety that go into each item
technological performance, and environmentally safethat is produced. The look, feel, and technology of
materials. The HKS title is only given to their top of theKettler products are designed to deliver optimal
line tricycles. Kettler HKS trikes are no ordinaryperformance and safety.
tricycles. Since its introduction in the U.S. 25 years ago,