By 1940, Eagle Rubber Co. had undergone significant expansion, establishing three buildings that covered an impressive 60,000 square feet. During World War II, the company demonstrated remarkable adaptability by pivoting from toy production to manufacturing critical military equipment, including essential life belts and landing boats for the war effort.

In 1945, marking a significant technological advancement, the company embraced vinyl materials in their manufacturing processes. Richard Long assumed leadership as president in 1951, bringing fresh vision to the company. A major development occurred in 1957 with the establishment of Kent Sporting Goods as a subsidiary. The company’s growth continued when Brown Group acquired both Eagle and Kent in 1971, modernizing operations with a state-of-the-art computerized warehouse. By 1976, Eagle had achieved global prominence as the world’s largest producer of play balls.

The facility transitioned to operate as Hedstrom Corporation in 1981. In 2004, a group of former employees and investors, recognizing the company’s potential, purchased the operation and formed Ball, Bounce & Sport Inc.

In 2010, BB&S expanded its plastic molding Ohio operations by opening a new facility on Baney Road. Today, while its Hedstrom Entertainment Division manages toy production in Asia, Hedstrom Plastics maintains its strong presence in Ashlan, Ohio, specializing in exercise equipment manufacturing and custom plastic parts production.