OXO (kitchen utensils brand) facts for kids
 |
|
| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Consumer products |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Sam Farber John Farber |
| Headquarters |
,
United States
|
|
Area served
|
Worldwide |
| Products | Good Grips, Soft Works, Steel, Candela, Touchables |
|
Number of employees
|
97 (headquarters) 127 (worldwide) |
| Parent | Helen of Troy Limited |
OXO is a company from the United States that makes useful things for your kitchen, office, and home. It started in 1990 in New York City. You might know OXO for its comfortable handles on tools like peelers or can openers.
Some OXO products are made in the USA, and others are made in China. For example, their special non-stick baking pans are all made in the USA.
Contents
How OXO Started
The Idea Behind OXO
OXO was created by a man named Sam Farber and his son, John Farber. Sam Farber was an entrepreneur, which means he was good at starting and running businesses. He noticed that his wife, Betsy, had a mild form of arthritis in her hands. This made it hard for her to hold and use regular kitchen tools.
Sam realized that many people might have similar problems. He saw a chance to make kitchen tools that were easier and more comfortable to grip. This idea led to the creation of OXO.
Choosing the Name "OXO"
Sam Farber picked the name "OXO" because it looks the same no matter which way you turn it. If you flip it upside down or sideways, it still spells "OXO." This special kind of word is called an ambigram.
Designing the First Products
To bring his idea to life, Sam Farber worked with a design company called Smart Design. Together, they created the first set of OXO products. One of the very first tools was the Swivel Peeler, which is still popular today.
In 1990, the first 15 OXO Good Grips kitchen tools were shown to the public. This happened at a special show in San Francisco, California. People quickly loved the new tools because they were so comfortable to use.
OXO's Journey Over the Years
After a few years, in 1992, Sam Farber sold OXO to another company called General Housewares Corporation. Later, in 2000, World Kitchen LLC bought General Housewares Corporation.
Then, in June 2004, a company called Helen of Troy Limited bought OXO. They paid about 273.2 million US dollars for the company. Helen of Troy Limited still owns OXO today.
