Erica Haythornthwaite, National Account Manager at Orchard Toys, is celebrating her 25th anniversary with the best-selling educational games brand.
Orchard Toys is a British toy company that manufactures educational games, jigsaws and colouring books for children from as young as 18 months. With 50 years heritage, Orchard Toys are one of the leaders in their field and manufacture over 3 million products each year.
Erica says: “I can’t quite believe it, what an amazing industry to have had the pleasure of working in for quarter of a century. Year after year I’ve met so many lovely customers, and been able to show them the best range. Today is definitely a far cry from the early days when I rang my orders in every two days on the road from public phone boxes!”
Orchard Toys design each of their products with support from educational advisors including teachers, nursery practitioners, Early Years professionals and children themselves. With the ethos of ‘Learning Made Fun’, they strive to produce games and jigsaws which are interactive, fun and appealing, whilst also enhancing learning and educational development. An environmentally conscious company, all their games and puzzle boards are made from recycled board and paper from sustainable sources.
Asked about her favourite Orchard Toys product and career highlight, Erica says it’s undoubtedly the number one seller Shopping List, which is a great door opener; and working with a palaeontologist at the Natural History Museum to develop Dino Discovery.
Simon Newbery, Managing Director at Orchard Toys, says: “It’s been a delight to have Erica in the company for 25-years, as National Account Manager for the South she’s a real asset for the business, and a joy to have on the team.”
