Michigan-based Magformers LLC has been winning awards and accolades since long and its magnetic building toys are STEM-accredited. Christopher M. Tidwell, CEO, Magformers LLC, divulges the core philosophy of the brand, the market reach and on why their toys are learning toys in this tête-à-tête with Mommy & Baby Times.
November 17, 2018
Magformers LLC, a privately held firm headquartered in Canton, Michigan, was founded in the year 2006. The brand has a patented, ‘always attracting’ magnetic technology designed to deliver a unique constructional play experience for the kids. It has achieved many awards and mentions such as the 2018 Toy Buzz Awards, 2018 Family Choice Awards, and numerous other honourable nominations.
Strong links between creative play and cognitive development
With the notion that there is an intricate connection between creative play and the cognitive and social development of a child’s brain, Magformers offers a wide range of toys such as Magnets in motion, Educational, XL Cruisers, Basic Plus Sets, so on and so forth. There are about 170 items in this brand (Magformers), in addition to four other lines (Kidsme, DOLCE, Clicformers, Tileblox) combining for nearly 500 items in total.
The plush toy line of Magformers, DOLCE stands for Develop, Observe, Learn, Create and Educate which is in a way the embodiment of the principles the toy brand stands for.
Magformers offers a wide range of toys such as Magnets in motion, Educational, XL Cruisers, Basic Plus Sets,… about 170 items in this brand (Magformers), in addition to four other lines (Kidsme, DOLCE, Clicformers, Tileblox) combining for nearly 500 items in total.
STEM Toys
STEM toys, also known by the term “learning toys,” as they can aid in developing skills that would be relevant in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These toys and games are edu-play toys which encourages creativity, logic, problem solving, experimentation and other aptitudes that are essential in all types of learning.
About the STEM-accreditation, Christopher M. Tidwell, CEO Magformers LLC, asserts that “Magformers represents the idea of the STEM toys quite well because the planning and development and the kind of design we have in our play-items are very stimulating for small kids. The tagline of one of our product range is ‘Intelligent Magnetic Construction sets for Brain Development’ as the kids would be able to design and create on their own. The product set called Sky track which we had started in the previous year combines the idea of what STEM stands for and the endless adventure and fun this set comes with.”
“Magformers represents the idea of the STEM toys quite well because the planning and development and the kind of design we have in our play-items are very stimulating for small kids.”
Safety assurance
Tidwell believes that one of the key strengths of the brand is the sense of safety assurance that comes with the Magformers products as he comments, “we’re extremely conscious to provide the right value and satisfaction to the consumers and eventually that rightfully translates to our loyal customer base that we’ve build over the years. We use BPA-free, HQABS plastic and sonic welding to ensure the strongest possible plastic bond to hold our magnets in place in each of our magnetic toy sets.”
Sturdy market presence
The market reach of Magformers is quite extensive as it is present in about 60 countries worldwide. The brand is one of the top global players in the magnetic toys category and he further adds that “Magformers is owned by a company called Gymworld Inc. based out of Seoul (South Korea) and Kee-young Park is the majority stakeholder. I would say that we both try to be trendsetters and good stewards in what we’re doing for the company. I do believe that our brands are amongst those that are looked at as the future.”
Tidwell firmly believes that the humanistic approach and virtue ethics have been instrumental in positioning the brand as a key leader in the market, he says that “We understand the value of knowing a retailer’s needs well and do know how important being good partners is. Considering the need to have the right product on shelf, and our market scope is quite wide, from the retail giant ‘Walmart’ to specialty retailers like ‘Bed, Bath & Beyond’ and on the e-commerce channels as well. So, we understand the need of omni-channel approach. Everybody counts and matters in the industry and we’re going to continue with that philosophy of being very humble as we continue to grow.”
