WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vt. Teddy Bear Refocuses Under New CEO

Vt. Teddy Bear Refocuses Under New CEO

Shelburne, Vermont - August 4, 2009

John Gilbert is coming up on six months as the new chief executive officer at Vermont Teddy Bear. He says he found the company basically in good shape, in spite of the recession which forced two recent rounds of layoffs-- but the company still turned a profit.

"And we're in a good place from a business standpoint to endure what looks like what will be the rest of the recession, which could last as long as six months-- or perhaps longer," Gilbert said.

"They're just so friendly and cuddly and everyone wants a teddy bear," said Molly Stevens of Westchester, N.Y.

The cuddly image comes through in the tours that Vermont Teddy Bear conducts. The company is one of the top tourist destinations in Vermont. A group of young people and their adult counselors from a Massachusetts summer camp descended on the Shelburne plant.

"They showed us how they made the teddy bears with all the machines. They told us the parts. And we actually got to buy teddy bears, as you can see all my friends have in those boxes," said Dylan Huberman, of New City, N.Y.

"We've been coming here because it's essentially a good trip. The kids love it, I think they all got teddy bears, or most of them did anyway," said Joshua Rodriguez of Bronx, N.Y.

Vermont Teddy Bear diversified a few years ago, adding a mail-order pajama business, which has actually grown into the largest part of this business. But teddy bears remain the core and the new CEO here says he's building that part.

"We've been a terrific success in selling teddy bears to adult males, that is the foundation of our business, and frankly, we want to continue with that relationship with adult males," Gilbert said. "But in addition to that, the natural market for teddy bears is as a gift for kids."

And so Vermont Teddy Bear is refocusing on kids, which means get the message out to parents-- and grandparents. That cuddly feeling is full of warmth and security-- not a bad thing in tough economic times.

Andy Potter - WCAX News