Gund
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| Founded | 1898 New York City |
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| Founder | Adolf Gund |
| Headquarters | Edison, New Jersey |
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Key people
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Bruce Raiffe, President |
| Parent | Enesco |
| Website | www |
GUND is a manufacturer of plush stuffed animals. The company is based in Edison, New Jersey, and distributes throughout the United States and Canada as well as in Europe, Japan, Australia, and South America. GUND is currently run by third generation family owner Bruce Raiffe whose grandfather Jacob Swedlin purchased the company from the original founder (Adolph Gund) in 1925.
The company is best known for its line of Teddy bears, and holds or has held licensing agreements with companies such as The Walt Disney Company, Sesame Street, Uglydolls, Boo, the World's Cutest Dog, Grumpy Cat, and Pusheen. It has won multiple awards during its 125+ years and was also the face of a United States Postal Service stamp. GUND is headquartered in Edison, New Jersey and currently a division of Enesco.
GUND was founded in 1898 by Adolf Gund. He was born in Germany and resided in Norwalk, Connecticut before settling in New York City. He started GUND as a small toy and novelty company which was incorporated under the name Gund Manufacturing Company in 1910. In the early years, GUND used GEE as the company slogan in advertising on product labels. GUND produced its first products in loft factories around New York City. It moved from location to location as it expanded, starting off on Third Avenue and eventually moving to Ninth Street by 1922. The moves were all prompted by the need for larger manufacturing quarters.
In the early 1900s, GUND received numerous patents that introduced various mechanisms into plush toys. Once such patent was for what was described as a "springing dog." The design called for a mechanism to be placed inside the stuffed animal which would cause it to jump, "bringing it to life." Another patent was for a walking mechanism which allowed the plush to walk. One of the company's most notable patents was for a "ride-on duck" which was a duck for children to ride on. It had wheels that operated a working duck bill which moved up and down as the wheels turned. The ride-on duck was produced by GUND for approximately 10 years commencing in 1912. GUND also secured many other patents for toys such as the wind-up walking plush, dancing toys, and walking toys.
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