Oriental Trading Company was founded as a gift shop in Omaha, Nebraska in 1932 by Harry Watanabe. OTC was one of the United States’ first wholesale companies. The company quickly expanded to 17 shops.
During WWII there were restrictions on imports from Japan, and OTC had to shrink back to its Omaha base, buying a ceramic shop that made Kewpie dolls.
In the 1950’s OTC became a major supplier to the U.S. carnival trade. The company launched its first catalog in the 1970’s.
In 1977 Harry Watanabe’s son Terry took over the company and shifted the focus from carnivals to supplying party goods for churches, retailers, schools, and individuals.
Amid allegations of alcohol and gambling addictions, Terry Watanabe sold his stake in the company to private equity firm Brentwood Associates in 2000.
In 2006 Carlyle Group bought 68% of the company.
In 2010 OTC filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection with $463 million in assets, $756 million in liabilities, and $485 in net sales.
In 2012 Berkshire Hathaway acquired the company for about $500 million.
Today the Oriental Trading Company offers 40,000 products to businesses, non-profit organizations, individuals, schools, churches, and teachers. OTC has 2,000 employees.
Oriental Trading Company
Oriental Trading Company was founded as a gift shop in Omaha, Nebraska in 1932 by Harry Watanabe. OTC was one of the United States’ first wholesale companies. The company quickly expanded to 17 shops.
During WWII there were restrictions on imports from Japan, and OTC had to shrink back to its Omaha base, buying a ceramic shop that made Kewpie dolls.
In the 1950’s OTC became a major supplier to the U.S. carnival trade. The company launched its first catalog in the 1970’s.
History
In 1977 Harry Watanabe’s son Terry took over the company and shifted the focus from carnivals to supplying party goods for churches, retailers, schools, and individuals.
Amid allegations of alcohol and gambling addictions, Terry Watanabe sold his stake in the company to private equity firm Brentwood Associates in 2000.
In 2006 Carlyle Group bought 68% of the company.
In 2010 OTC filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection with $463 million in assets, $756 million in liabilities, and $485 in net sales.
In 2012 Berkshire Hathaway acquired the company for about $500 million.
Today the Oriental Trading Company offers 40,000 products to businesses, non-profit organizations, individuals, schools, churches, and teachers. OTC has 2,000 employees.
I just got off the phone with your customer service dept. and found that many of your products are manufactured in CHINA. I do not recommend that you continue to do business with CHINA. The war we are fighting concerning the Virus is directly related to COMMUNIST CHINA. The name of your company is Oriental Trading. There are other Oriental Companies you can do business with other than CHINA. We have good relationships with Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, etc. I do not think that your company wants ALL US citizens to know that you are importing US Flags from CHINA – something that can be done through Social Media. Please do not take the chance of something like that happening. It is my hope that your company will step up and show some patriotism. Thank you.
Dear Mr. Taylor,
I am just curious what is going on at your company. I have been a loyal customer for many years in the last year of you have messed up several orders and just this week my order was dropped off again it’s a personalized candy wrappers for my daughter’s wedding which I know won’t be receiving. Apparently your computers are down which is been over a week now and you have no idea when I’ll be coming back up and because it’s a personalized items you can’t help me over the phone. I was on the phone for one hour and 20 minute hold with no exaggeration. To be told there’s nothing you can do too bad get over it and if I can’t wait then maybe I should try to find my product elsewhere. I ran a business for 32 years and would’ve never dreamed of not helping someone maybe you should go back under cover.
Susan
Mr. Taylor,
I am contacting you because I have had no luck. I have called been transferred and even put on hold for a very long time where I eventually hang up. I even have been transferred back in quell where my initial call was made.
I am trying to place a order, it for my wedding. The order is around $200 I looked on the internet and found a coupon code “OTC7575” expired 12/31/14 which didn’t work. I called customer services I was told marketing handles codes. I called spoke with a lady covering the from desk and I was put on hold and before I knew I was in another department once again on hold. Can you assist me with obtaining why the code doesn’t work or can I get a accurate one.
Victoria Segura
520-403-XXXXX
Victoria I’ve been having the same problems I was put on hold. But I hung in there for one hour and 22 minutes with no exaggeration. To be told they can’t help me because their computers are down I got email saying my order went through but I personalize candy wrappers and then it never showed up and then they tell me when I call after I was on hold too bad nothing you can do and a week later their computers are still down I was told to maybe try to get my stuff elsewhere who does that maybe we should go to the competitor maybe if everyone does that’s with no care no more personal service just doesn’t exist anymore nobody cares. SAD