| In 1958, Claude Tindell set out to
build a tricycle which could stand up to the rough-and-tumble use of
a nursery school. He opened a tiny shop in Los Angeles and sold his
heavy duty trikes out of the back of his van. Gradually, Angeles trikes became
known throughout California as the trikes that would last almost
forever. He developed other products and expand his product line.
Some of these, such as the Wagon, became popular and are still
produced. Others, such as the "Bug," never caught on and are part
of history. As the business grew, the demand
exceeded Claude's resources and he sold his interest in Angeles
Nursery Toys to Don Mitchell, and ultimately to Ross Sackett, a
former CBS executive. Sackett expanded Angeles into
national distribution so that its products were available all across
the country. It was during this period, 1978-1984, that school
supply dealers began carrying Angeles trikes. (Prior to this, all
sales were direct from the factory to customers) In 1984, Ray Kelly decided to
leave his position as Vice-President of Sunmark and enter the field
of educational equipment. He acquired Angeles with the intention of
building a higher quality company by setting new standards for
product quality, service, manufacturing, marketing and innovation. The Pacific plant was opened in 1986
with 15,000 sq. ft. and 8 employees. As the new standards began to
have their effect, business grew and output was expanded. In 1988,
the Los Angeles plant was too small to support the sales, and it was
closed. Angeles, now Angeles
Group, has grown steadily in terms of products, facilities, people,
and most importantly, in customer trust, by sticking to the basic
original principles: Angeles will provide unique, high quality
products which serve the user's needs better than anything else
available. We will back these products with the best service in our
industry. | 
