Educo International Inc.
Founded in 1983, Educo International Inc., is a Canadian company
manufacturing educational toys made of wooden beads, wooden
frames and colourful sculptured play wires. Today, Educo bead
and wires mazes are a favoured toy among parents and
pre-schoolers who enjoy them in medical offices, airports,
schools and home. The Educo collection features over 70
interactive play products now used throughout the world to
stimulate imaginative minds, encourage three dimensional
manipulation, enhance motor skill development, and provide
rewarding rehabilitation exercises. Carefully written activity
guides accompany each model to help parents, teachers, health,
professionals, and care-givers extend educational opportunities,
therapeutic options and playtime fun.
For more than a decade, Educo has achieved industry acclaim from
its peers, consumer groups, the international media and the
Government of Canada, earning awards for export achievement,
business excellence and service to children with special needs.
Displaying the highest standards in product design, quality
craftsmanship and educational play value, each toy is created
with careful attention to detail.
Primarily focused on the specialty toy market, Educo is also
active in consumer catalogues, educational stores/catalogues, as
well as the special needs market. In 1991, Educo launched a line
of activity centers for public play areas and commercial
settings, helping fuel company growth in this rapidly expanding
market, while solidifying Educo's outstanding reputation with
parents and child professionals.
In an effort to strengthen the company's strong share of the
public play market, in 1997, Educo licensed a fully enclosed
magnetic sandbox table. This new element has led to the
development of a new Educo product - a combination magnetic sand
and maze activity center.
The company proudly displays more than 40 international awards
including Parents' Choice Gold and Silver Medals, National
Parenting Honors, the British Best Toy award and the
prestigious Oppenheim Gold Seal of Excellence for every product
in the line. In 1994, Educo's award winning Original Supermaze
was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame.
As part of a long-term strategic plan, Educo entered the mass
market in 1995 with high volume Christmas orders for major
retailers such as Price Costco and Wal-Mart's Sam's Club. In
1998 Educo will introduce a new bead and wire line dedicated
solely to the U.S. mass market.
To keep pace with rapid growth, increase production efficiency
and streamline the design process, in 1996 Educo purchased a
state-of-the-art CNC wire forming machine. Automated programming
of the wire bending process and a dramatic improvement in design
and production capabilities are a result of this new technology.
Educo products can be purchased in specialty toy shops, teacher
supply stores, educational and consumer catalogues and in select
department stores on several continents. A strong network of
manufacturers' representatives, under the direction of Educo's
U.S. Sales Manager, sell the Educo exhibits annually at major
national and regional toy, educational and gift trade shows in
North America and abroad.
Educo produces more than 120,000 toys a year, exporting 80% to
the United States and many other countries. Container shipments
to Japan, Germany, Great Britain, Korea, Saudi Arabia and the
Benelux countries, South America, Sweden, Singapore, and New
Zealand reflect the eclectic diversity of interest in the Educo
line and demonstrate the strength of Educo's overseas
distribution and marketing efforts. Educo's exhibit at the
Middle East International Toys, Games and Hobbies Show in Dubai
in 1997 underlines a commitment to new markets.
The President and sole owner of Educo International is Kathy
Klaus, recently voted Woman of Vision' and Business Person of
the Year' in her own community. She has also honoured with a
Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurship in Alberta. The company's
head office and factory are located in a 30,000 square foot
facility situated in a modern industrial park, just east of
Alberta's capital city of Edmonton.
Educo looks to the future with confidence and welcomes the
prospect of co-operative ventures that will enhance a solid
reputation, continue to manage steady growth and build upon a
proud record of profit and achievement.
Company Details
Year Established:
1983
Total Sales ($CDN):
$500,000 - $1,000,000
Number of Employees:
20
Company Information
Katty Klaus
Title:
Marketing
Telephone:
(780) 467-9772
Fax:
(780) 467-4014
Kathy Klaus
Title:
President
Area of Responsibility:
Management Executive
Telephone:
(780) 467-9772
Fax:
(780) 467-4014
Colleen Madsen
Title:
Manager
Area of Responsibility:
Domestic Sales & Marketing
Telephone:
(780) 467-9772
Fax:
(780) 467-4014
Email:
Click Here
Larry Klaus
Title:
Data Provider
Telephone:
(780) 467-9772
Fax:
(780) 467-4014
Email:
Click Here
Products
Toys, Educational
Services