GUND, founded in 1898 by Adolph Gund, a German immigrant, is known as America's oldest manufacturer of plush toys. GUND's teddy bears and other soft toys are recognized the world over for their quality, innovation, hug-ability, and life-like expression.

GUND has been responsible for many pioneering innovations, safety standards and manufacturing processes for the toy industry. In 1925, Mr. Gund retired and sold the company to his protege, Jacob Swedlin, who introduced the concept of industry licensing. with well known characters by Disney and others. GUND was the first company to produce an affordable musical toy. GUND set an important industry standard for product safety by devising a way to attach eyes securely to plush animals, preventing them from being pulled out by small children.

Continuing the family tradition, Mr. Swedlin passed down control of the company to his daughter Rita Raiffe and her husband. Under the Raiffes' management, the company began using its now trademarked under-stuffing technique, the heart of the world's most huggable plush. Bruce Raiffe, the third generation to run the company, has been president since 1993.

Today, GUND manufactures an extensive collection of unique characters and licensed plush under the GUND and BabyGUND brands. Their slogan, "Gotta Getta GUND," is known around the world.