| Zuru | |
| Type: | Private |
| Founded: | 2003 |
| Founder: | Nick Mowbray & Mat Mowbray |
| Hq Location: | Hong Kong |
| Website: | https://zuru.com/ |
Zuru (stylized as ZURU) is a Hong Kong–based toy and FMCG company that manufactures multiple brands of toys and consumer goods products., the company operates four main divisions: ZURU Toys, ZURU Edge, ZURU Tech, and Rhodes Pet Science.
When Nick Mowbray was twelve in 1997, he designed and created a hot air balloon model kit, won by a national science fair in New Zealand. He started selling the kits with his brother, Mat, as a first mini business of also delivering. They sold their kits throughout high school, and eventually decided to attend university. They returned to delivering kits after one year of university[1]
In 2003, Mowbray moved to Hong Kong from New Zealand and at age 18, with his brother, started a factory in Guangzhou, China. They were financed with a $20,000 loan from their parents, which they used to buy an injection molding machine. Soon after they ran into difficulties due to a lack of managerial and administrive experience, communication skills and knowledge of intellectual property legislation.[2] In 2005, their sister Anna joined the business. The company was named Zuru after they discovered their original name had been trademarked by a different company.
Walmart later expressed interest in Zuru's products and began selling them in their stores.
In May 2019, Zuru had settled all pending infringement proceedings with Telebrands and Bulbhead.com LLC for making ZURU Bunch o Balloons product similar to their Balloon Bonanza, Battle Balloons and Easy Einstein products. Their settlement issued a full payment of $31 million final judgment, including additional substantial payment for Telebrands' product infringement and agreement that they will not sell any of their accused products.
In 2020, Zuru was blocked by Lego from making its version of minifigures, as the court found ZURU infringed upon Lego's trademark.[3]
Zuru was also sued by Lego for its ZURU Max Build More building sets, for saying that it was compatible with Lego.[4]
In 2022, Crazy Bunch O Balloons by Zuru won the Outdoor Toy of the Year award.[5]
The company has been known for designing their toy products to be more recyclable and reusable. As of 2019, Bunch O Balloons itself and the stem's rubber material had changed to recyclable natural rubber latex, and its packaging is recyclable, too. The company also partnered with TerraCycle.[6]
Zuru created a variety of brands over the years [7] including X-Shot, Bunch O Balloons, 5 Surprise, Mini Brands, X-Shot Water, Rainbocorn, Gumi Yum, and Snackles. They also partnered with The Walt Disney Company,[8] Nickelodeon, Universal Studios, and DreamWorks.[9]
In 2024, the company announced a collaboration with Ulta Beauty in designing a first-ever beauty Mini Brands collection.[10] They also launched a partnership with KFC.[11]
In November 2024, CBS News 8 reported on a Zuru product that was featuring explicit language. Phrases containing "manic," "motorized rage fire," "berzerko," "mad mega barrel," and "insanity" were on boxes marketed towards children.[12]