LOS ANGELES — Ron Braverman, the legendary founder of preeminent pleasure products company Doc Johnson, will be the recipient of the special "Industry Pioneer" accolade at the highly anticipated 10th annual XBIZ Awards Show on Jan. 10, taking place at the legendary Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif.
CalExotics President Susan Colvin, a long-time friend and fellow ANME founder, offered words of congratulations.
"I've known Ron for almost 30 years," Colvin said. "He is one of the original pioneers of the toy industry and perfected the art of poly melt, rubber and making realistic products. Congratulations on this honor, Ron, you are truly deserving and I commend you for everything you've done for our industry."
Braverman founded the iconic sex toy brand, Doc Johnson, in 1976, and since then the North Hollywood-based manufacturer has grown its facilities - from just 1,500 square feet with 9 employees in a 33,000-square-foot location, to now employing more than 500 people, occupying over 250,000 square feet, and offering a catalog of almost 10,000 products.
As a hands-on leader, Braverman also is credited as one of the founders of the modern-day rendition of the Free Speech Coalition, who along with other industry leaders was part of the first FSC Board in the early '90s with meetings held at the Doc Johnson offices.
"Well deserved kudos to Ron Braverman on his Industry Pioneer Award," said Larry Garland, Eldorado's CEO and founder. "With Ron ably steering the ship for 35 years, Doc Johnson is one of the most well known and best selling brands in the business. From all of us at Eldorado, congratulations to Ron Braverman, a true industry pioneer."
This year, Doc Johnson celebrated its 35th year anniversary as "the largest sex toy company in the world." The company said that while business has shifted overseas for some products, the majority of its products are still "Proudly Made in America."
"It is with great pleasure that we present Ron Braverman with the prestigious Industry Pioneer Award for his decades of dedication to the industry that extend beyond his role as leader of one of the founding companies in the world of adult novelty manufacturing," XBIZ President and Publisher Alec Helmy said. "Congratulations to Ron and the entire Doc Johnson team as they surpass their 35th year anniversary and enter the New Year with this special accolade.”
With plans to reveal over 100 new products and fully revamped School of Doc materials in early 2012, Doc Johnson will kick off the New Year exhibiting with fellow Founders at the ANME Show on Jan. 7-8, and at the 2012 XBIZ Retail show, both taking place at the Burbank Marriott Hotel.
"It's an honor to be recognized by my peers as a pioneer in this industry," Braverman said. "I have spent most of my life building a business that has maintained a leadership position in manufacturing adult products right here in America — it hasn't always been easy. Doc Johnson has grown over 35 years to now employ 500 people and house facilities that occupy over 250,000 square feet— nothing is more validating than coming to work every day and seeing my vision realized.
"This is proof that hard work and quality products can truly make a company prosper. I am excited about the future of Doc Johnson; we have a diverse and talented team of people that I have cultivated over the years. Vital changes are being made in my company, and across the industry as a whole. It's an invigorating time for all of us. I happily share this honor with you and look forward to accepting the Industry Pioneer XBIZ Award in January."
For 2012 XBIZ Awards event information, visit XBIZAwards.com.
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