About Us
The Red Cross Rubber Company was established at 55 Newton Street, Norwalk, Ohio by Claud V. Martin, Sr., and his brother-in-law, Charles Switzer. Our Customer Service TEAM office and employee break room is currently housed in this part of the building, which was originally built as a rooming house. The initial focus of the business was on rubber novelty products, mainly toy balloons.
The Tuf-Tex line of balloons, manufactured by The Maple City Rubber Company, was incorporated and was thriving after World War II’s end. Tuf-Tex balloons were being supplied to distributors all around the world.
Maple City transitioned from producing balloons for parties to manufacturing them for advertising as a way to distance the brand from lower-quality imports. Tuf-Tex quickly established itself as the leader in the outdoor balloon advertising market, which then highlighted the strength and durability of our 17” balloons as the best balloons for all weather conditions.
Mike & Allison Will purchased the factory from the original owner’s descendants, making them the second family to own the business in its’ 100+ years of existence. The new company is named Goodlevel Enterprises, an acronym using the first letter of the names of their five sons. Neither had any experience in manufacturing or experience in the balloon industry, Mike being a former city manager & accountant and Allison a licensed funeral director/embalmer.
Changes are made regarding the focus of the company after operating through several helium shortages, which greatly affected the outdoor/promotional balloon market. TEAM TUFTEX begins strategies to appeal to the professional balloon artist and streamlines the distribution network. Allison also created a new look using the TUFTEX Balloons logo.
The first collection of trendy and unique TUFTEX colors to wow the balloon industry are created by Dominic and Allison: the Naturals Collection, which included Fog, Willow, Canyon Rose and Blue Slate. The collection was launched just prior to COVID at FLOAT and featured very opaque, deep and moody balloon hues perfect for mature celebrations like weddings, bridal showers and baby showers.
A new line of foil balloons, etc. by TUFTEX, is launched after our TEAM decided the market didn’t have enough on-trend foil choices available. The first etc. by TUFTEX foils included The Catty Series: Neva, Kitty, Simba and Wild, and has grown to include more than 35 designs (and counting)! The balloons are manufactured by ConverUSA but designed by TEAM TUFTEX themselves.
TEAM TUFTEX expands to beyond Norwalk, Ohio! The addition of the superstars of the balloon world, the Decolovers from Miami, grew the TUFTEX family to not only one but two more TEAM members to spread the word that TUFTEX Balloons are the best! Now the family has grown even more with the introduction of Confetti Castle, Charlotte, and Delloons, NY/NJ, as official TEAM TUFTEX. Look for even more trendsetters to join TEAM soon #teamtuftexforever
The first TUFTEX EXPERIENCE was held in Cleveland, Ohio, with 375 balloon professionals from all over the world in attendance. The successful event combined both learning opportunities with twelve of the most colorful balloon artist groups in the industry as well as social events that included a dueling piano party, a gala, a party cruise on Lake Erie and an exclusive private evening at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Everyone’s favorite, TUFTEX Balloons, were included each step of the way of course!
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