EURO TRIP
SE lists the top European adult product manufacturers!
When examining the history of “sex toys,” it is virtually impossible to ignore the role that early Europeans played in their evolution. The revelation of the first such toy—a dildo—can be traced back 30,000 years to cave drawings in what is now Germany. The ancient Greeks also show the presence of dildos in their art and literature, dating back all the way to the 5th century BC.
Fast forward thousands of years, and their evolution eventually led to the U.S.—specifically, Southern California—as being the new epicenter of the adult novelty industry. Look no further than Chatsworth, whose roads are paved through to permanent residences of sex toy manufacturers and adult film production companies.
However, over the decades, the pleasure products industry has continued to boom and found a burgeoning home in Europe with new brands and products popping up faster than is possible to keep track of. Some labels you undoubtedly stock were birthed overseas, providing a distinctly European flair. And the testament to Europe’s history and success as an established bastion of adult retail is in the fact that you can go to pretty much any one of the contiguous 48 states and see a toy from Germany, England or France.
In fact, Europe’s foothold is such that we could have devoted front-to-back coverage of European brands. However, this focus is meant to shine a spotlight on the brightest names, since it isn’t always easy to keep up with what’s happening halfway across the world.
Much like the automotive industry, the adult retail industry draws heavily from the world over and has visible geographical delineations. And while in the U.S., it’s always nice—and encouraged—to buy American-made, it’s just as pleasant to see how the other half lives. Case in point, Americans love muscle cars, but even now, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are still viewed as luxury car brands signaling affluence and arrival.
A reminder, this focus isn’t meant to convince you to ditch your proven American brands in favor of European flavor. Rather, it’s intended to remind—or apprise—you of the best European brands that will broaden your shelves’ horizons. In the interest of fairness, we’ve let each company present its merit in a Q&A format, in their own words.
WOMANIZER
Touting itself as being made for every woman, Womanizer was the brain child of inventor Michael Lenke and his wife Brigitte. They invented the Womanizer in the small town of Metten, in Lower Bavaria.
Lenke and Brigitte heard about many women globally having problems with experiencing an orgasm. Determined to make a change, Lenke oversaw the development of a female-focused toy in the Womanizer, with its patented Pleasure Air Technology. The Pleasure Air Technology makes it possible to stimulate the clitoris without any direct contact, so as to avoid overstimulation or an effect of habituation.
The Womanizer portfolio has expanded to include six products and has done so in only three-plus years, with two new additions to the family in 2017—the Womanizer 2Go (a compact toy) and the Womanizer Plus (an extended-length product in the traditional wand style).
Most recently, Womanizer has unveiled the Starlet and the Womanizer InsideOut. The Starlet offers a practical format that delivers the potency of the Womanizer on the go. This mobility, combined with a modern design, makes the Starlet an ideal companion for those who are still at the beginnings of their sexual development but still care about a patented premium product. The Womanizer Starlet also features four intensity stages, meaning newcomers won’t be overwhelmed.
The Womanizer InsideOut was created because the company did its due diligence and found out that while the clitoral stimulation the Womanizer provides is pleasing, it can feel as though a sense of closeness and intimacy is missing. Besides the original Pressure wave stimulation, the InsideOut also has a vibrator. With 12 intensity levels for clitoral stimulation and 12 levels for the vibrator—functions that can be controlled independently—users can find the perfect setting for them.
Today the Womanizer is available in more than 30 countries worldwide with offices in Berlin, San Francisco and Hong Kong.
For more information, visit womanizer.com or email sales@epi24usa.com.
EXSENS
Exsens is part of an international industry group that develops, formulates and produces all of their products at their cosmetics and medical devices facility in Aix-en-Provence, France, a region synonymous with the highest-quality cosmetics, and bath and body products. SE spoke to Rebecca Pinette-Dorin, Exsens’ U.S. sales manager, to find out more about what separates Exsens from similar manufacturers.
SE: What makes Exsens one of the top European brands our readers need to know about?
Pinette-Dorin: We take that incredible quality that the South of France embodies and we bring it into the sensual market. Add to that a real desire to promote healthy, sexy fun and a dash of French chic and you have a product line that pleases and continues to please.
I love when someone tries our flavors for the first time and I see their face light up with the expression “This is really good!”—like they’re surprised sensual products can taste delicious!
I love it when someone comes up to me and says, “I am in love with your intimate cleanser! It feels amazing!” Or “I use your Aventurine massage oil for everything!”
These are the kind of products we want to make. Fun for a night, but also fun for your life.
SE: What is your most popular product right now and why do you think it’s doing so well?
Pinette-Dorin: We have just launched two new Warming Massage flavors that are organic. The White Peach Organic Warming Massage Oil is selling so fast we’re having a hard time keeping it in stock. I think it’s because it’s just so delicious, but also because it is 100% all-natural, made with organic ingredients and sweetened with Stevia. Consumers are very woke these days! I also have to mention our Arousal Lip Gloss. It is definitely the underdog winner of 2017!
SE: As of summer 2017, Exsens was available in 35/50 states, how have you managed to gain such a strong foothold in the U.S. and what plans do you have to keep expanding within the U.S.?
Pinette-Dorin: I think our success and our continued success is based on both strong partnerships with our distributors, and a lot of communication toward end-users. We know that if someone tries our product, they will love it! We have also made a concerted effort to create new products that are in line with what consumers want—high quality, organic, natural and female friendly. They also have to work!
SE: What would you say to those U.S.-based retailers that maybe haven’t had the chance to work with you yet?
Pinette-Dorin: We really want our product line to succeed in your store. We have training videos for staff. We provide testers, in-store marketing aids and our colorful packaging is going to stand out on your shelves. Come by and see us at ANME or at one of our distributor booths at Altitude and try out our products for yourself!
For more information, visit exsens-paris.com or email exsens@technic.com.
Continue to part two of Top European Brands
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