Share this on

Vishal Thakkar to head up HABA USA's ecommerce

Retail Editor 1 -- Gifts and Dec, 8/31/2010 11:19:26 AM

SKANEATELES, N.Y. - HABA USA has hired Vishal Thakkar, a consultant with nearly 10 years of experience designing and creating websites for a variety of companies, as ecommerce manager for its online sales site, www.Maukilo.com.

Owned by HABA, a 70-year-old German toy company, Maukilo.com offers more than 1,500 HABA items, the widest selection of HABA products in the United States. Maukilo rounds out its assortment with other brands, all of which meet the company's motto: "Buy once. Play forever."

Thakkar will spearhead ecommerce operations at Maukilo for the HABA USA family of companies.

"We're really excited about the opportunities Vishal brings to Maukilo," said Lea Culliton, HABA USA president.

Maukilo's relationship with HABA means that every purchase helps HABA, and other European brands, thrive and stay in business in the United States. Although European toy companies are known for their high quality and safety standards, new U.S. toy safety testing has put a strain on many of those companies. All European products must first pass stringent European testing, so the added expense of additional U.S. toy testing is making it financially difficult for those companies to survive in the US.

One German toy company, Selecta, has already pulled out of the United States due to the increased cost of importing and reselling children's products in the USA.

But supporting European toy brands will help them remain in the United States and continue inspiring creativity and play for generations.

Maukilo.com got its start in 2000 and the business quickly grew as Americans discovered brands including Sigikid and HABA. Now, Maukilo offers a wide selection of wooden and PVC-free plastic toys and games from more than 40 European- and American-based companies.

Share this on

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Up Close: Manufacturers' Forecast 2009

Feb 3, 2009

Build-A-Bear Workshop re-launching Web store

Aug 30, 2010

Orb Factory names Bill Bordegon national sales manager for USA

Jul 12, 2010

Scaring Up Business

Jun 1, 2008

Also by this author

»MORE

Featured Company

FurnitureCore.com

FurnitureCore.com is a dynamic web application aimed at the furniture industry. Retailers and manufacturers alike will find our deep reserve of tools to be exactly what their furniture business needs.www.furniturecore.com... more