Family story
Baby Cruiser is a family business with decades of experience in the baby industry, dedicated to helping parents on their journey through parenthood. My name is Thomas Machura, and together with my wife Eva, we are the proud founders of Baby Cruiser.
Our story begins in the 1950s when my great-grandfather opened his own workshop after spending a decade working in a state-controlled stroller factory post-war. Now, as the 4th generation of the Machura family, we continue to provide peace of mind and joy to parents worldwide.
Over the years, we’ve created many successful brands in Europe, catering to different parenting styles and trends ranging from modern strollers to classic premium prams.
So here we are, ready to help you on your parenting journey with our expertise and dedication. After all, we’re parents just like you.
– Thomas Machura, Founder and CEO
1953
The story begins
Communism is deeply entrenched in Eastern Europe at this time, with almost all businesses, especially the largest ones, being state-owned. Smaller factories also exist, one such business is a factory in southern Poland where my great-grandfather works for many years.
When the factory shuts down, it leaves a group of highly skilled engineers unemployed. My great-grandfather takes a different path and attempts to open a small baby pram workshop.
After struggling for a few years and facing the harsh realities of the business environment under communism, my great-grandfather eventually has to close his workshop.
Image: Typical 1950's factory. fot. Edward Kowalik
1963
Re-launch
My great-grandfather has two children: Eugene and Christine. Christine is a young woman dating an ambitious man who has just finished serving in the military. Together, they come up with the idea to relaunch the stroller business using the existing workshop and tools.
Their venture is a great success. My grandfather expertly navigates the complexities of the communist system and overcomes the many challenges of running a business in such a difficult environment.
Soon, they become known throughout the region as the best manufacturer of baby strollers, serving clients all over the country.
Image: The future chief engineer of the business
1989
New opportunities
With the fall of the Soviet Union and the liberation of Central Europe came great opportunities. Borders were now open (to some extent), allowing businesses to thrive and export products abroad.
This marks a major milestone for our family business, leading to sudden growth that enables us to help many more families in search of reliable strollers. The influx of new clients is overwhelming, and our family’s reputation reaches its peak. Families trust our expertise and genuine interest in helping parents navigate through parenthood.
We now export to more than 10 countries in the region, expanding our community of happy families.
2004
The rise of modern strollers
The new millennium brings a shift in trends, with parents now seeking strollers that are lighter and more compact. We are the first in the region to introduce modern strollers with aluminum frames. Our innovative designs allow for compact folding and significantly lighter frames.
As always, we stay attuned to the needs of families, and soon we introduce a range of products including compact strollers, joggers, travel systems, car seats, and more, catering to the convenience of the new generation of young parents.
2011
Back to basics
Trends come and go, and the 2010s see a 180-degree turn back to classic and retro-style baby prams.
We decide to create a new brand of premium classic strollers with the iconic X-shaped frame, appealing to retro enthusiasts and parents who cherish the timeless touch of prams from the past.
This venture is a great success, allowing us to cater to a new group of parents who felt alienated when we introduced modern strollers in 2004. Now, we have even more happy families to serve.
2020
E-commerce revolution
The 2020 e-commerce revolution takes the world by surprise. It is hard to predict how the global crisis will accelerate the shift to online shopping, but the transformation is swift and undeniable. Overnight, the way people buy and sell changes, pushing e-commerce technologies forward by what feels like a decade.
We embrace this shift by selling directly to consumers, allowing us to communicate directly with families and receive instant feedback about our products. This brings us closer to our customers than ever before, creating a more personalized and responsive shopping experience. The insights we gain help us improve our products and meet the evolving needs of modern parents.
Adapting to this new reality takes time, but there is no turning back. The benefits of direct-to-consumer sales are clear. Our ability to quickly respond to customer feedback not only strengthens our products but also deepens our relationship with the families we serve. This new era of e-commerce is here to stay, and we are ready for it.
2024
North America
The next stage in our story takes us across the Atlantic. I make the decision to expand our efforts and explore opportunities in America, confident that our experience and expertise can benefit American families. Knowing that I need to be present here to better understand the market and especially get to know American parents better, I make the decision to relocate to North America with my wife and our two daughters.
In 2024, we create the brand BabyCruiser, focused on travel and mobility with children. Our mission is to be your trusted companion on the move, providing peace of mind and joy as you explore the world with your little ones.
Our goal is to make you forget about the gear you’re using and focus on family time.
Baby Cruiser – Always in motion.
