Ergobaby

Ergobaby, officially The Ergo Baby Carrier, Inc., is a manufacturer and retailer in the baby products market, specializing in ergonomic baby carriers and other accessories. The company's origin traces back to 2002 on Maui, Hawaii, when founder Karin Frost, a clothing designer, was dissatisfied with the available baby carrier options for her son. Inspired by indigenous babywearing practices and seeking a solution that offered both comfort and proper ergonomic support, she designed her first soft-structured carrier. This initial design, created out of personal necessity, laid the foundation for the company which officially launched in 2003 with a $15,000 loan from Frost's parents to fund the first manufacturing order.

The business operates on a direct-to-consumer and wholesale model, selling its products through its own website and over 700 retailers in more than 50 countries. The core of Ergobaby's product line is its range of baby carriers, which are designed to be ergonomic for both the child and the parent, supporting the baby's natural sitting position and distributing weight evenly on the parent's hips and shoulders. Over the years, the product portfolio has expanded significantly to include strollers, swaddlers, nursing pillows, bouncers, high chairs, and diaper bags, catering to the needs of parents from pregnancy through early childhood development. A key milestone was the introduction of the 4-position 360 carrier in 2014, which allowed for an ergonomic forward-facing option. The company has also demonstrated a commitment to sustainability through its Everlove program, which buys back, restores, and resells used Ergobaby carriers.

Significant corporate milestones include the acquisition by private equity fund Compass Diversified Holdings (CODI) in 2010 for approximately $91 million. Under CODI's ownership, Ergobaby made strategic acquisitions of its own, including stroller company Orbit Baby in 2011 and Baby Tula in 2016. In late 2024, Highlander Partners, a Dallas-based private investment firm, acquired Ergobaby from Compass Diversified, signaling a new phase of growth focused on product innovation and market expansion. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Ergobaby continues to be a prominent name in the premium juvenile products market.

Keywords: baby carriers, ergonomic baby products, babywearing, strollers, soft structured carrier, Karin Frost, baby gear, juvenile products, nursing pillows, baby swaddlers, parent accessories, direct-to-consumer, baby products retail, child comfort, ergonomic design, baby slings, baby wraps, high chairs, baby bouncers, sustainable baby products, Everlove program