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PlaSmart Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryToys, Distributor
Founded2003
FounderTim Kimber, CEO
Headquarters
Ottawa, ON
,
Canada
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Tim Kimber, CEO
ProductsEducational toys
Revenue$8,200,000 CAD
Number of employees
14 employees
90 sales contractors
Websitewww.plasmarttoys.com www.plasmacar.com

PlaSmart is a Canadian toy distributor based in Ottawa, Ontario and focuses on distributing unique, simple, and educational toys for children. Formed in 2003 by Timothy Kimber, PlaSmart launched its first product, the PlasmaCar, to the North American market. The success of the PlasmaCar assisted in the growth of the company, and is the most recognizable product PlaSmart carries.[1] The company has grown to 14 employees and over 90 sales contractors.

History

In December 2002, Kimber discovered a unique ride-on toy while shopping at an Ottawa mall, where an Asian distributor was displaying it. Upon learning that the product (then called the Fun Car) was not selling well in North America, Kimber negotiated the rights to distribute and market the product himself.[2]

At the beginning of 2003, Kimber launched PlaSmart, and created a scheduled plan to expose the company's only product - now renamed the PlasmaCar - to the North American market. Kimber began by displaying it at the 2003 Canadian Toy and Hobby Show, a trade fair for toy retailers. The PlasmaCar, backed by marketing materials prepared by Kimber, was well received[citation needed]. It has received many awards (see Awards section), as well as generous customer reviews.[3]

As sales grew, Kimber moved the business to an Ottawa office and warehouse unit, and worldwide distribution soon followed. PlaSmart handed over distribution to a more established supplier with confirmed connections in the toy industry. However, the arrangement was short-lived; within six months, distribution rights returned to PlaSmart.

Since the release of the PlasmaCar, PlaSmart has added more items to its product line (see Products). PlaSmart acquired the intellectual property rights to construction toy line i-Gami in 2009 and discontinued distribution in 2011.

In 2008, PlaSmart was Canada's 13th fastest growing business according to Profit100,[4] and 7th fastest in Ottawa according to the Ottawa Business Journal.[5] In 2010, PlaSmart was named the 8th fastest-growing company in Canada by Profit Magazine.[6]

PlaSmart announced the opening of a permanent showroom in Kowloon, Hong Kong in June 2010, as a result of growing international demand for its products.[7]

Products

  • Doodle Art
  • Fun Slides (Carpet Hockey)
  • Hiccups - Game of ball-and-cup inside a sphere
  • Ogo Sport (Canada only)
  • Orbo
  • Perplexus - also known as Superplexus
  • PlasmaCar - a ride-on vehicle which requires no power source
  • PlasmaBike
  • Reeve and Jones
  • Scribble Down
  • Smart Mat
  • Splash Art
  • Stomp Rockets (Canada Only)
  • Water Works
  • Digits in a Box
  • Interlock
  • Hedgehog Escape
  • Say Cheese
  • Funny Farm
  • Sink or Swim
  • Crazy Campers
  • Perilous Pipes
  • OuttaGas!
  • Cross Roads
  • Utopia
  • Athena

Archived News

  • In June 2010, PlaSmart ranked 8th in Profit 100's list of fastest-growing companies [8]
  • In April 2009, PlaSmart ranked 7th in Ottawa Business Journal's 2009 Fastest Growing Companies list [9]
  • In 2009, PlaSmart ranked 13th in Profit100's list of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies [10]
  • In December 2008, PlaSmart's PlasmaCar wins the iParenting Media Award [11]
  • In December 2008, Plasmart's PlasmaCar wins the Fat Brain Toy Award - Active Play Category [12]
  • In February 2008, PlaSmart adds new product, Paper'oni, to product line [13]
  • In November 2007, PlaSmart's PlasmaCar wins TD Monthly's Top Toy Award [14]
  • In October 2007, PlaSmart's PlasmaCar listed among American Specialty Toy Retailing Association's (ASTRA) "Best for Kids" Toy List [15]
  • In October 2007, PlaSmart appointed exclusive Canadian distributor for Dado Cubes [16]
  • In October 2007, PlaSmart appointed exclusive U.S. distributor for i-Gami [17]
  • In March 2007, PlaSmart acquired i-Gami from Plastic Play Inc. The deal includes an exclusive U.S. distributorship [18]

References

  1. ^ PlaSmart - About
  2. ^ Ottawa Business Journal Staff (April 22, 2009). "2009 Fastest Growing Companies". Ottawa Business Journal. Ottawa, ON: Transcontinental Media Inc. Retrieved June 3, 2009. {{cite journal}}: |last= has generic name (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) [dead link]
  3. ^ Amazon -PlasmaCar Reviews
  4. ^ "Profit 100: Canada's fastest-growing companies". Profit Magazine. Rogers. April 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2009.
  5. ^ PlaSmart - Ottawa Business Journal
  6. ^ http://plasmarttoys.com/press/pressrelease/PlaSmartIncPlacesEighth_Profit100Ranking_Canada'sFastestGrowingCompanies.pdf
  7. ^ ~~~~http://plasmarttoys.com/press/pressrelease/PlaSmartOpensHongKongShowroom.pdf
  8. ^ "Ottawa Business Journal: Clutch of local firms crack Profit 100 list". Ottawa Business Journal. June 2, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
  9. ^ "Profit 100: Canada's fastest-growing companies". Profit Magazine. Rogers. April 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2009.
  10. ^ Profit100 - Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies
  11. ^ PR Web - PlasmaCar Wins an iParenting Award
  12. ^ PR Web - PlasmaCar Wins Fat Brain Toy Award - Active Play Category
  13. ^ PR Web - Paperoni a Winner Among Retailers At Canadian Toy & Hobby Fair and Nuremberg Toy Fair
  14. ^ PR Web - PlasmaCar wins 2007 Top Toy Award
  15. ^ PR Web - PlasmaCar Among 2007 "Best for Kids" Toy List
  16. ^ PR Web - PlaSmart Appointed Exclusive Canadian Distributor of Dado Cubes
  17. ^ PR Web - PlaSmart Appointed Exclusive U.S. distributor for i-Gami
  18. ^ PR Web - PlaSmart Inc. Acquires i-Gami
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