Rose Art Industries

The RoseArt story began in 1923, when Isidor Rosen founded the Rosebud Art Company in New York City. Initially, Rosebud focused on the print and production of coloring books. However, it was during the Great Depression that the product line converted to games. By the early 1940's, Isidor's sons, Irving and Sydney, were active in the company. Over the next 20 years, the company operated out of Bronx, New York selling novelties, American flags, and the beginnings of a new line of art supplies. It was during the early 1970's that Sydney bought out his brother and eventually incorporated in New Jersey becoming RoseArt Industries, as we know it today. When Sydney's two sons, Jeffrey and Lawrence, joined RoseArt in the late 1970's, the company was manufacturing crayons, paints, chalk, and other arts and crafts supplies. Having moved to Passaic, New Jersey, it was in 1985 that the historic Labor Day weekend fire destroyed the factory and nearly 40 other plants. Within days, RoseArt relocated to Bloomfield, New Jersey and started to rebuild. Jeffrey and Lawrence bought the company in the early 1990's. With a new licensing strategy, RoseArt was rapidly growing and expanding its product line. Investments in new manufacturing facilities throughout the United States, in addition to acquiring over 15 companies fostered growth. Of major importance was the acquisition of the Brooklyn based crayon factory and business Coloron/Avalon and Warren Industries. Coloron and RoseArt merged in 1992, and Warren continues to operate as a separate affiliate. In 1994, RoseArt moved to a larger facility in Wood Ridge, New Jersey and was joined by the Coloron division in 1997. RoseArt has also acquired American Publishing, Western Graphics, and Moon Products. Today, RoseArt offers over 1000 products, which include crayons, markers, paints, modeling compounds, cosmetics, activity kits, and licensed products - an extremely broad and diverse offering. With over 80 years of experience, RoseArt strives to create new and exciting toys, stationery, and craft products including activity kits, art materials, school supplies, writing instruments, message boards, wood products, construction toys, games and puzzles. Based upon units sold, RoseArt is the number one manufacturer of arts and crafts products in the United States. The company is also the second largest manufacturer of crayons and has strong market shares in message boards and markers. RoseArt's goal is to expand its brand worldwide. RoseArt is looking for acquisitions that can strengthen its worldwide market share.