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- The business world is ruthless.
- But it’s a realm that also welcomes a good comeback story.
- These companies managed to achieve or regain their iconic status after nearly going out of business.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
For some brands, it takes getting pushed to the brink of extinction in order to truly rally.
Read more: These 12 retailers have filed for bankruptcy or liquidation in 2019
Business Insider compiled a list of household names that nearly went out of business, only to rebound in a spectacular fashion.
Here are a few brands that bounced back after nearly going out of business, from a globally popular toy brand to a classic shoe business:
Lego
(Jens Dige/AP Images for LEGO® Games
This beloved Danish brand almost went to pieces earlier in the 2000s, when it came close to bankruptcy.
In 2004, new CEO Jorgen Vig Knudstorp began putting things back together by focusing on enhancing the company’s engagement with fans and doubling down on fiscal responsibility.
In fiscal year 2018, Lego reported a revenue of 36.4 billion in Danish krone.
Marvel
Scott Eisen/AP Images for Hasbro, Inc.
About a decade before Marvel launched its mega-hit crossover film franchise with the 2008 movie "Iron Man," this venerable entertainment company appeared to be getting a little rusty.
The Wrap reported that Marvel Entertainment filed for bankruptcy in 1996 after getting clobbered by declining comic book sales. The company managed to power up by merging with American toy company Toy Biz and selling off the rights to popular characters like Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four.
Then, in 2009, the Walt Disney Company acquired Marvel for $4 billion.
FedEx
ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP/Getty Images
FedEx is known for delivering parcels overnight, but the company itself certainly wasn’t an overnight success.
In fact, the delivery business almost stalled out for good in its early years.
FedEx launched in 1971, initially providing services to 35 cities. Within two years, the company was deep in debt. Founder Frederick Smith became so desperate that he bet the last of his company’s money on blackjack in Las Vegas.
FedEx’s success was in the cards, though, and Smith managed to turn an initial $5,000 into $27,000, staving off the company’s closure.
Today, FedEx boasts a market cap of over $42 billion.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Áine Cain)