History
Brothers Fran and Bryce Patch opened a commercial printing company in 1971, producing games and related items for other companies. They printed Trivial Pursuit game boards and Cabbage Patch Kids sticker books among other things. Then in 1985, the brothers decided it was time to start their own toy and game company, and Patch Products was founded.
The company started with a line of PuzzlePatch tray puzzles for preschoolers, which are still in production. The company celebrated the milestone of making its 100 millionth puzzle in 2008. Through the years, organizations such as the American Toy Institute, Great American Toy Contest, National Association for Gifted Children, Nick Jr. magazine and Toy Tips have recognized the puzzles for their role in helping education children.
In 1992, the company obtained the license for TriBond, its first board game. TriBond later was inducted into Games Magazine's Hall of Fame. Patch followed the success of TriBond with two other board games, Blurt! and MadGab. The popularity of the three games turned Patch Products into a key player in the board game market. The company sold the brand rights to the three games to Mattel in 2004 so it could focus on developing new games.
Patch Products acquired Smethport Specialty Co., the maker of Lauri Toys and specialty products, in 2008. This added educational items to Patch's lineup, including Tall-Stacker pegging and crepe rubber puzzles, along with the iconic Wooly Willy magnetic personality.
In 2012, Patch Products was honored with a Wisconsin Family Business of the Year Award. The Work Hard--Play Hard Award was given to Patch to recognize the company's emphasis on family fun time and its programs to promote that togetherness.
2013 has been a big year for Patch Products, with becoming the exclusive distributor of the popular Perplexus 3D maze game to independent toy and gift stores. They also became the new manufacturer and distributor of the well-known The Game of Things... Patch also debuted its new collectible soft doll line Planet Sock Monkey which adds attitude and style to the classic sock monkey. Each doll features a fun name, bold personality and eye-catching clothing and accessories.
Today the small printing company has grown into a national manufacturer of family entertainment products with a full line of board games, card and dice games, children's puzzles, activities, educational tools and collegiate sports balls.
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