Innovation Fuels TOMY Introductions at 2017 ABC Expo

OAK BROOK, Ill., Oct. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TOMY, a leading global designer, producer and marketer of innovative, high-quality infant and toddler products, unveils its 2018 line-up of inspired new parent essentials and engaging infant and toddler toys across its best-selling portfolio of brands including Lamaze, Boon, The First Years, JJ Cole, Toomies and John Deere. Headlining TOMY's ABC Kids Expo 2017 (booth #801) introductions is the revolutionary Remote Bottle Warmer from The First Years, with first-to-market technology, and a collection of play gyms packed with developmental features from the award-winning Lamaze toy line. These innovations, combined with thoughtful and stylish additions to the Boon and JJ Cole brands and fun-filled infant and toddler toys from John Deere and Toomies, give today's parents (and their kids!) more reasons to smile than ever before.

"Our 2018 infant and toddler introductions illustrate the seamless blend of innovation with simple, need-based product design that continues to set our TOMY brands apart from the competition," states Peter Henseler, President of TOMY International. "We are 100% focused on providing solutions for today's parents and caregivers, and it shows in the thoughtful additions we bring to market each year. Whether we are unveiling innovation in a 60-plus-year-old brand like The First Years with the Remote Bottle Warmer, expanding developmental play into all-new categories such as Lamaze Play Gyms, offering style-forward feeding items in our Boon brand or building a better baby bag, as JJ Cole does year-after-year, we are creating products that parents want as well as need." 

Highlights of 2018 introductions across TOMY's family of brands include:

Lamaze — Lamaze toys share a name and high brand recognition with the most trusted resource in pregnancy, birth and early parenting: Lamaze International. Lamaze pioneered the developmental infant toy category when the line debuted two decades ago. Created in conjunction with child development experts, Lamaze toys encourage baby to grow and develop through features that spark daily triumphs and promote together-time between parent and baby, as well as activities that encourage baby to explore and learn independently. Plus, every purchase of Lamaze toys supports education and advocacy for safe and healthy pregnancy, birth and early parenting around the world! To expand the fun, Lamaze is introducing play gyms into its lineup for 2018 with the Lamaze Forest Friends Play Gym, which offers four play positions and features an innovative design that includes mesh sides for a clear view of baby and transforms into a large, washable play mat. Also new for 2018, Lamaze is introducing a Gift Set category, designed to make giving baby shower and welcome baby gifts even easier. These Lamaze Gift Sets feature classic and new Lamaze toys, packaged together in decorative boxes that are ready to grab-and-gift! In addition, Lamaze expands its soft books line with Pierre's Perfect Day, a soft book and colorful play mat in one. Featuring a unique design, Pierre unfolds into an 18" x 18" play mat with a colorful story book revealed inside.  

The First Years— The First Years helps parents prepare for the unpredictable moments life throws at them on the wild journey of parenthood. A trusted partner for infant and toddler essentials for more than 60 years, The First Years adds entirely new categories, as well as thoughtful expansions to current favorites in its 2018 line up. The Remote Control Bottle Warmer changes the bottle warmer playing field with a simple one-touch remote that streamlines middle-of-the-night feedings, all from the comfort of bed. Before bedtime, simply place a bottle in the unit, where it will be cooled until you press the button on the remote to start warming, as soon as baby needs it. The First Years also makes infant bathing more convenient with the Warming Comfort Tub, which keeps baby happy with a steady stream of soothing water and parents happy with an easy-to-use tub that grows with baby.

Boon — Boon's passion is problem-solving and ingenuity, seamlessly combined with simple yet effective design. A leader in innovation and design in infant and toddler products, the Boon brand is anchored by a strong desire to create modern products that help simplify parents' lives, while retaining their personal style. This year, Boon expands on its innovative feeding line for infants and toddlers alike with TRIPOD, a sleek formula dispenser, and JAB, easy-to-grasp silicone feeding utensils. GROWL and PRANCE keep teething under control with stylish colors and designs.

JJ Cole — JJ Cole Collections provides parents with products that represent the style for which they strive with the function they need. The leader in fashion-forward, quality products for today's on-the-go parents, JJ Cole expands its diaper bag category in 2018 with new on-trend styles and a variety of new fashions, including the Papago Pack. Style and functionality mesh together in this backpack-style bag that won't even be recognized as a diaper bag. Adding to its current offerings, JJ Cole also debuts new Car Seat Cover options, featuring soft inner fleece and a wind-and-water-resistant outer shell for year-round protection, in new stitch-patterns and chic fashions.

John Deere—John Deere brings farm play to kids no matter where they live, providing unique preschool learning and play experiences with classic play patterns that encourage both fun and imagination. Infant Wrist Rattles give new meaning to "farm hands" and bring the classic John Deere brand to the youngest members of the next generation of fans. Friendly-faced Johnny Tractor is the star character in My 1^st Johnny Tractor Book, bringing farm fun on-the-go.

Toomies— Toomies stands for the sheer joy of play! Understanding that memories are formed when laughter is shared, Toomies unveils its new brand identity with toys that feature quirky characters and surprising takes on traditional play patterns. This year, Toomies expands its toddler toy line with Pop & Hatch, a silly twist on a classic crawling toy and Flappee Stackees, a unique mix and match stacking toy. Also new for 2018, Toomies adds to its popular bath line with Peryn's Shower & Scrub, a bubbly penguin that turns bath time into play time.

About TOMY International
TOMY International (www.tomy.com) is a leading global designer, producer and marketer of a broad range of innovative, high-quality toys sold to preschoolers, youths and adults under the TOMY® and Ertl® brands as well as products for parents, infants and toddlers marketed under the The First Years®, JJ Cole® Collections and Boon® brands. TOMY International also markets its products under popular licensed properties such as John Deere, Pokémon, Sonic the Hedgehog, Lamaze, Lightseekers, Disney Baby properties including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Princesses, Cars, Fairies and Toy Story, and other well-known licenses. TOMY International's mission is to make the world smile. TOMY International reaches its target consumers through multiple channels of distribution supporting more than 25,000 retail outlets throughout North and South America, Europe and Australia. TOMY International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-based TOMY Company, Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Code No. 7867). © TOMY.

SOURCE TOMY International

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