Finalist
Retail/Manufacturing
When Ryan Gunnigle took over as president and CEO of Kids II Inc. in 2004, the infant products company’s revenue was stable but flat. The company was viewed as a respected business, but it was not a key category player. Gunnigle realized early on that a strategic change of course was necessary if Kids II wanted to be successful for the long term.
He immediately established a path to build and establish a proprietary brand, Bright Starts, expand internationally through both infrastructure and retail sales and to enter new, more profitable categories against much larger competitors.
Adapting and implementing his philosophies and new strategies to a global organization of more than 250 employees required clear articulation and support from the top all the way to the bottom. Gunnigle had an endless to-do list, and each day, he had to prioritize what would move him and Kids II forward. While this was a great challenge, he was able to do all of this while also maintaining the spirit of a family-owned business. He has a true open-door policy and is easygoing and approachable. He also believes in operating with transparency, and he holds himself and the company to the highest of standards.
As a result of his efforts, today, the Bright Starts brand represents 65 percent of Kids II’s revenue, and in five years, the company now has 11 global offices and operations on four different continents. It sells products in more than 60 countries and is the No. 1 or No. 2 market leader in every category in which it competes. Revenue has also grown by more than 20 percent during the last four years. Despite the economic downturn, Kids II has stood tall and virtually unaffected as a result of Gunnigle’s efforts.
How to reach: Kids II Inc., (770) 751-0442 or www.kidsii.com
