Page 17 - AVN Intimate Summer 2016

By ShARAn STREET
“Sometimes it is a challenge to work with concepts that don’t
necessarily come pre-approved with an established track record for
success, but our efforts have certainly paid off,” he said.
Though the years, through the ups and downs, though the changes
in the industry, one thing remained almost constant at Doc Johnson:
it was a family business, in more ways than one. While even the best
mainstream companies these days might struggle to retain employees,
Doc Johnson has kept many on for years—of roughly 500 workers today,
the number of those who have been with Doc for the past 20, 30 and even
40 years reaches into the double digits.
“Nurturing employee relationships has been a constant during
the company’s history, and that remains true to this day,” Ron said.
“Personally, it makes me proud to have a family of people that I look
forward to working with every day. All of us at Doc Johnson take
enormous pride in our legacy and ensuring its future success.”
And Ron, who still will visit the manufacturing floor and chip in
when needed, brought his children into the fold in more recent years.
In addition to Chad, who has risen through the ranks at the company,
daughter Erica is Doc Johnson’s marketing coordinator.
Spanning generations and representing the past, present and future of
the company—as well as a segment of the pleasure product industry—
each of the Bravermans brings a different perspective on where the
industry, and Doc Johnson specifically, has been and where it’s headed.
“There really wasn’t an erotic market in 1976, in the traditional sense,”
Present and Past Above right, Ron Braverman celebrates
the holidays at Doc Johnson in 1982. Above left, Ron, Erica and
Chad with the marketing and sales team on the Doc Johnson
campus; photo by Chris King/ReelSeduction.com.
Ron said. “Sex toys were being lumped in with other types of novelty
products. The market was prime for a business that was devoted solely
toward sensual needs. Doc Johnson was the natural response to that
demand.
“In 1976, the Doc Johnson factory in North Hollywood was just 1,500
square feet and had nine employees. Now, 40 years later, Doc Johnson is
the largest pleasure products manufacturer in America, with a family of
more than 500 team members, multiple buildings on a campus of more
than 250,000 square feet, and a catalogue of more than 2,000 products,”
he continued.
“We’re especially proud of the extraordinary results we have achieved
while keeping the great majority of our products manufactured in
the United States. Today, not only do we make over 75 percent of our
products in America, but we also strive to create the most innovative and
highest quality, body safe products on the market.”
For Chad, as the pleasure product industry continues to make waves
and progress in mainstream, Doc Johnson can easily to continue to be an
innovator and major player in the game.
“Society is becoming more and more open-minded and liberal when
it comes to sexual health and wellness. I imagine that sex toys will
become increasingly accessible to the mainstream, as far as social norms
go. Packaging and design will also move towards the mainstream, with
industry growth facilitating greater diversity and room to target more
specialized demographics,” he told AVN. “Though the pleasure products
1976—Doc Johnson opens its doors
1980—The company lays claim to creating the world’s first
product to capitalize on a porn star’s fame. The John Holmes
Personal Enlarger penis pump may no longer be on Doc
Johnson’s website, but there are two replicas available of the
big man’s biggest asset.
1989—The Vac-U-Lock patented harness system debuts, and
to this day the company continues to add new models and
features.
1991—The Realistic Cock is first released—another line that
has grown along with Doc Johnson.
1993—The Pocket Rocket blasts off. And to date it still rides
high in sales.
Ten Turning Points
inventory.
1998—Doc Johnson racks up more than 2,000 products in its
2002—Jenna Jameson turns to Doc Johnson for the creation
of Jenna’s Vibrating Vagina and Ass. “The Most Famous Pussy
in Adult” is the tagline on the box, and the stroker is made of
UR3.
2007—The Lucid Dream collection arrives, and receives
mainstream love—including an award from Women’s Health
magazine.
2010—Doc Johnson expands into silicone production at its
North Hollywood campus.
2012—The Doc Johnson workforce hits the 500 mark.
SUMMER 2016 | INTIMATE | 17