2990 Bergey Rd.

Hatfield, PA 19440
1.800.543.5639
http://www.knex.com
Contact:

Kaitlyn Coleman
PR Associate
215.996.KNEX (5639)
kcoleman@knex.com

Introduction
KNEX is a third-generation, family-owned and operated construction toy company
that has, for 25 years, provided children with the tools to create their own worlds of play and
education. From rocket ships to roller coasters and biology to geometry, KNEX offers
products meant to facilitate inventive learning from the living room to the classroom. In
partnership with the eco-friendly Pennsylvanian manufacturer, Rodon Group, KNEX
produces the second-ranked children's construction toy in the world.
History
Inspiration hit at an unexpected time when Joel Glickman found himself very near
retirement from his fathers plastic manufacturing company and in attendance at a wedding
in 1990. Uninterested in socializing, Glickman became engaged with, of all things, a plastic
straw. Inspired by Tinkertoys and the possibilities of the straws, he began developing a new
design for construction toys. Dubbed KNEX, the brightly-colored molded plastic pieces
included rods and connectors, which snapped together to build a variety of shapes.
Although Glickman tried to pitch his idea to two major toy companies, Hasbro and
Mattel turned to concept down. Glickman, who had already partnered with his brother to
maintain the family business, began producing his building sets in their facility. Two years
later, the KNEX building system begun as a subsidiary of The Rodon Group. The Connector
Set Toy Company, the subsidiarys name until 1996, operated alongside The Rodan Group
and the two developed a close, mutually beneficial relationship, which still shapes its
business model to this day.
The Glickman brothers began by selling the building sets directly to toy shops, but
soon caught the eye of Toys RUs, which began marketing the sets and by Christmas 1993,
KNEX kits sold at other major retailers, such as Kmart and Target. As the toys began taking
off, KNEX Industries agreed to sell 10 percent of United States operations to Hasbro. Two
years into the toy industry, KNEX began to fall flat in domestic sales, even as the company
strived to reach consumers through television advertisements and other forms of
marketing.
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Meanwhile, European sales took off and the company decided to sell 50 percent of
its international division to Hasbro. In a few years, the company had claimed 40 percent of
the British construction toy market and continued its strategy of cross-promotion in other
countries. Domestically, the company began releasing smaller and more affordable building
sets sold at Wal-Mart and other discount stores.
As KNEX Industries moved forward, it absorbed its first outside property, Lincoln
Logs, and expanded the product offers of the classic toy set. The original KNEX building
pieces expanded to include wheels, pulleys, cranks, levers, gears, and motors, which allowed
the stationary building sets to enter the world of motion. Domestic sales began to make a
come-back with the release of moving roller coaster building sets and the product line
continued to grow, to include sets for younger children, motorized sets, products marketed
specifically to young girls, and, even, STEM education sets to supports classroom curriculum.
The Rodon Group, now a subsidiary of K'NEX Brands, L.P., has manufactured over 31 billion
parts for the K'NEX building toy system since 1992.
Product Development
A subsidiary of KNEX Inc. LLC, The Rodon Group manufacturing company is one of
the largest family-owned and operated injection molders in the United States. Since 1992,
The Rodon Group has manufactured over 36 billion parts for KNEX building systems.
Throughout the years, KNEX has created a large variety building sets, for different skill and
age levels, meant for both at-home play and classroom learning. The KNEX family of brands
now includes: KNEX Building Sets, KNEX Thrill Rides, KNEX Education, Lincoln Logs,
Tinkertoy, K-FORCE Build and Blast, Beasts Alive, Mighty Makers, Mario Kart Wii,
Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart 8, Super Mario, PacMan, Titanfall, Family Guy, Plants vs.
Zombies, and more.
Key Players
KNEX, created at the crossroads of innovation and childlike wonder, continues this tradition
in the children-at-heart who bring their individual skills to the companys leadership
positions.
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Michael Araten: Chief Executive Officer and President

Joel Glickman: Co-Founder and Chairman
Bob Glickman: Vice Chairman
Robert Haines: Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance
Joseph Smith: Chief Development Officer
Tony Kratowicz: Chief Information Officer
Larry Fanelle: Chief Supply Chain Officer
Lisa Christman: Sr. Director of Human resources
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Mission Statement
KNEX strives to celebrate the imagination of children and provide them with the tools they
need to build their dreams. The companys dedication to these children causes it to aim high,
as expressed in the mission statement:
We believe that the company can be financially successful while behaving in a
socially and environmentally responsible manner. We believe that our product, K'NEX, is
unique and worthwhile; that it is capable of enriching the lives of those who use it, both
through pure enjoyment and through its educational impact; and that these genuine
qualities must be sustained with all the innovation and creativity we can muster. We believe
that K'NEX is as safe as human ingenuity can make it, and we must make this intrinsic in
every design we devise and publish. We believe that the company has a responsibility to
provide a safe and fulfilling work environment, and an opportunity to grow and learn.
Manufacturing
KNEX, the only construction toy company committed to American made products,
dedicates significant time and resources to this claim. All KNEX bricks, rods, and connectors
are manufactured in Pennsylvania at the Rodon Group, which is an environmentally friendly
facility. In 2008, during the onset of the recession, the company made the decision to
reshore its manufacturing jobs back to the United States, in order to avoid displacing its
American staff members. KNEX, a member of American Made Matters, strives to educate
consumers about buying American-made products and supporting local infrastructure.
Company President and CEO Michael Araten stated that the company is proud to invest in
American workers.
Safety
All materials used in KNEX toy products and packaging meet Global Toy Safety
standards including: the United States Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act of 2008,
the European Unions Toy Safety Directive, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, and
the Australian Toy Safety regulations. These materials are tested by a third party laboratory
and, once the products reach completion, they face review and testing by the companys
internal Product Safety Committee.
Future Directions
In 1992, Glickman envisioned KNES as the world's most innovative construction toy
company. Since then, the company has won over 250 international awards and
recognitions, including America's Building Toy. As KNEX prepares to celebrate its 25th
anniversary, the company looks upon the last quarter of a century and hopes to move
forward with the confidence of experience and reputation.
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KNEX remains dedicated to Building Worlds Kids Love and encouraging children
to imagine, build and play, because children and those who make buying decisions for
them will always be the companys target audience. The company strives to provide its
customers with the best products and experience possible, so improvements in safety and
functionality remain long-term goals of the company. Over the years, KNEX has learned the
importance of engaging with its customers, so the company plans to maintain and expand
its online presence, in order to keep in touch with its fans. As KNEX journeys into the next
quarter century and beyond, it celebrates the accomplishments of builders young and old
and hopes to continue providing the tools they need to imagine their own worlds of play
and learning.
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