2023 Entrants - Inside Out Toys
Company Name Inside Out Toys Ltd
Products Entered jumini PLAY garden collection, FabBrix WWF collection, Bonikka Character Dolls
Tell us about your business
Inside Out Toys Ltd was established 10 years ago by Julian Garner; an entrepreneur looking to provide for his family, and to create something to keep him and his wife Nikki busy, up until retirement. The company was originally established in a small industrial unit just outside Derby – Julian’s hometown – and has recently moved from its premises in Milton Keynes to a farm in Northamptonshire. The new warehouse is a converted grain store, and the office was extended from the original drying room – repurposing at its finest! Aside from the countryside views, solar panels adorning the warehouse roof and maize being digested on the farm to create electricity are constant reminders of the site’s environmental credentials.
2020 brought a whole raft of challenges as we, like our trade customers, adjusted to changes being forced upon us in response to COVID-19. During this period, we reviewed our business and decided to use the ‘quiet’ time to plan the next phase of our growth. This has lead to IOT taking on the role of UK Distributor for some amazing brands over the last 18 months. We recognise the desire for sustainable toys, produced by ethically and socially responsible manufacturers and the brands we offer reflect those values. Ten years after the very first toy was despatched from our premises, we are now proud to be one of the only toy companies in the UK to offer a ‘one stop shop’ for all your sustainable toy needs!”
Tell us about the products you have entered
Jumini is our own brand of wooden toys which we are developing with the help of our own in-house designer.
This year, to grow the jumini pretend to play collection, we have added some garden toys, perfect for Spring: a flower bed with magnetic pieces, a vegetable patch featuring ‘emotional’ vegetables, and a garden trug with Velcro veg. All made from sustainably sourced, FSC certified materials, these pieces were designed to encourage an awareness of sustainable living.
FabBrix WWF Collection - FabBrix is basically construction bricks similar to leading plastic brands, but made from sustainably sourced, FSC certified beech wood. The WWF licenced packs feature endangered animals, such as the Giant Panda, Gorilla and Penguin, and come complete with a special podium so that the completed figure can be displayed in its native environment. The bricks are 100% compatible with plastic bricks for extended play.
Bonikka dolls are beautifully handcrafted in Sri Lanka by Tikiri Toys. They are soft and huggable, safe for babies, toddlers and children. They also make comforting empathy dolls for all age groups. The character dolls are based upon familiar animals, made into friendly huggable toys. In recognition of the importance of family, Tikiri Toys donates a portion of every Bonikka sale to the Viharamahadevi Centre for Child Development, helping to provide food, housing and clothing for orphaned girls living in their care. So, every purchase really does make a difference!
Why did you choose to enter the GOTY competition? have you entered in the past and has it helped your brand grow?
We entered last year with several of our children's gifts and found it to be a great way to raise the profile of our sustainable brands. ReCycleMe even won the Design & Craft category which was an amazing achievement for this Dutch brand.
This year we are excited to have so many new things to enter again. We are looking forward to getting them in front of the judging panel which will be a great test of consumer interest!
What other products will you be bringing to market in 2023
For 2023 we are also launching two new Jumini Collections: Safari and Retro - which are designed in-house and made from FSC-certified wood.
We are also expanding our range of Tikiri toys to include some organic cotton plush toys, developmental toys, and an extended range of animal themed comforters.
Where can your products be purchased Our trade customers include a range of independent gift shops, garden centres, farm shops, visitor centres and personalisation companies.
Website https://www.insideouttoys.co.uk/
Instagram handle inside_out_toys_uk
Facebook handle insideouttoysltd
