International Playthings

The sport of play is an international pastime. International Playthings (also known as IPI) imports and distributes toys and educational games in the US and Canada, as well as manufactures its own brands, including Earlyears and I Play. The company distributes more than 600 toys (activity sets, dolls, educational toys, games, infant and preschool toys, and puzzles) that target youngsters from infancy to adolescence. Formerly owned by company executives (including founder Ted Kiesewetter), IPI was acquired by Grand Toys International (GTI) in 2005. GTI sold IPI's assets in November 2008 to an affiliate of Japan's Epoch Co., maker of product line Calico Critters of Cloverleaf Corners that IPI distributes.