Munchkin, Inc. Adds Jeff Hale as New Chief Operating Officer

VAN NUYS, Calif., May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Munchkin, Inc., leading designer and manufacturer of clever infant and toddler products, today announced the appointment of Jeff Hale as Chief Operating Officer (COO).  Hale will leverage his extensive juvenile products industry experience to further the company's operational excellence.    

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120614/LA24478LOGO)

"Adding Jeff as COO provides the results-oriented senior leader we need to continue to achieve our aggressive growth objectives," said Steven B. Dunn, chief executive officer, Munchkin, Inc.  "Jeff's world-class expertise in operations, sourcing, procurement, forecasting, logistics, inventory management, quality control and light manufacturing processes will support Munchkin as we launch innovative products into new categories next year."   

Hale has more than 25 years of diverse leadership experience, developing business strategies and executing against challenging growth expectations.  Hale has considerable experience in the infant and toddler industry, having previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Summer Infant, Inc. and Dorel Industries (Canadian division).  Hale has also held top executive positions at Bob Barker, Inc., Berkline/Benchcraft LLC, Fidelity Investments and Honeywell Consumer Products.  At Summer Infant, Hale successfully centralized U.S. distribution, which was key in reducing inventory by nearly $20 million. 

"During my career, I have amassed significant international and multi-plant experience and have earned a proven track record of operating and growing businesses through lean management.  At Munchkin, I expect to deliver measurable, cost‐effective results while protecting the entrepreneurial spirit, speed to market and creative culture for which the company is widely recognized," said Hale.

For more information on Munchkin, Inc. and Munchkin products, please visit www.munchkin.com.

About Munchkin, Inc.
A privately held, global company headquartered in North Hills, Calif., Munchkin, Inc. creates baby products that excite, delight and make life easier for today's parents.  Founded in 1991, Munchkin, Inc. has always placed great emphasis on innovation, redefining what baby products can achieve.  As a result, Munchkin has reinvigorated the category with improvements such as a 2-in-1 bottle brush design and White Hot® Technology that lets moms know if the bath water or the car interior is too hot. A strategic alliance with Church & Dwight Co., Inc., the maker of ARM & HAMMER™ baking soda[1], resulted in a line of diapering products that work with pure, natural baking soda, including the ARM & HAMMER™ Diaper Pail by Munchkin, winner of the American Baby Bests Award. Munchkin, Inc. has won more than 40 industry awards, including multiple wins of the coveted Target® Corporation Partner Award of Excellence, the ASDA stores partnership award, and the Toys "R" Us 2011 and 2012 Vendor of the Year awards. Endorsed and recommended by sleep and safety experts, medical professionals, toy specialists and parents, Munchkin products can be found at retail outlets internationally. For more information, visit www.Munchkin.com.

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[1] ARM & HAMMER, the ARM & HAMMER logo and the distinctive orange trade dress are trademarks of Church & Dwight Co., Inc. and are used under license by Munchkin, Inc.

Contact: Jennifer Campana
818.221.4264
[email protected]

SOURCE Munchkin, Inc.