Oriental Trading Company

Oriental Trading Company They began in 1932 as one of the nation's first wholesalers of value-priced novelties and gifts. They became a major supplier to the U.S. carnival trade in the 1950's before expanding in the 1970's by using catalogs and direct marketing to target consumers, retailers and businesses. In the 1980's, Their first toll-free telephone number and seasonal catalogs brought continued growth. As the Internet grew in popularity in the late 1990's, They found a new way to reach its ever-growing number of customers. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway saw tremendous value and growth opportunity in OTC and made the decision to purchase Their company in 2012. Operating from the Berkshire Hathaway philosophy, They acquired MindWare Holdings, Inc. in 2013 and SmileMakers in 2014. MindWare is a manufacturer, wholesaler, and direct retailer of ''brainy toys for kids of all ages'' that complements the OTC family of educational products. SmileMakers is the leading brand catering to the dental and health care markets, helping to expand the consumer reach for both Oriental Trading Company and SmileMakers. Today, They continue to serve customers through colorful catalogs and the Internet. They offer more than 40,000 products to meet the needs of businesses, not-for-profit organizations, individuals, schools, churches and teachers. They are headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska which is also home to four Fortune 500 companies. Forbes Magazine ranked Omaha sixth on the American's Most Livable Cities list based upon employment, income growth, cost of living, and arts and leisure opportunities. They employ approximately 2,000 employees at several locations in the greater Omaha metropolitan area and are a strong, growing and entrepreneurial company. A recipient of the prestigious Omaha 25 Awards for Corporate Citizenship and the National Communitas Award for Corporate Social Responsibility - Making A Difference, They work hard to make the world a better place to live, work and play.

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