Aktuelles

Toy State, a growing global toy company celebrating its 30th anniversary, yesterday announced the first acquisitions in its corporate history. In multiple transactions, Toy State has secured the worldwide rights to Nikko by acquiring the consolidated operations of its Japan and Hong Kong offices. Toy State has also acquired Nikko Entertainment BV, the European arm of this global leader in the radio-controlled (R/C) toy category.

Founded in 1958, Nikko manufactures a robust portfolio of high-quality R/C toys, from custom vehicles, boats and flying items to its strong array of pre-school R/C toys. Nikko’s toys are marketed through licensing partnerships with leading global automakers and such brands as Transformers, Hello Kitty, Fast & Furious and Angry Birds.

The acquisition will significantly enhance Toy State’s global footprint, creating new offices in Amsterdam and Japan, as well as an expansion of its current Hong Kong headquarters. The company’s U.S. office is located in Boston, Massachusetts.

“Over the last 30 years, we have grown Toy State into a global player through a relentless focus on quality and innovation,” said Simon Cheng, Toy State’s CEO and founder. “Nikko’s own long history of quality and innovation make it a compelling fit to join the Toy State family.

“This acquisition is a powerful move for Toy State, because it gives us more critical mass in the key global R/C category, and strengthens our already strong retail position.”

The strength of the Nikko brand and its distribution network internationally were major factors in Toy State’s pursuit of the company. The acquisition will serve as a platform for Toy State’s continued expansion into Europe.

In addition to building on Nikko’s strong international presence, Cheng said Toy State will utilize its marketing and sales expertise to restore Nikko’s U.S. popularity. U.S. R/C toy lovers still fondly recall popular Nikko legacy items such as Turbo Panther and Hercules, as well as current successes including VaporizR.

“The Nikko line of products will significantly enhance our retail offering and footprint, and supercharge Toy State’s profile in R/C vehicles,” said Andy Friess, Senior VP of Marketing and General Manager of the company’s U.S. Operations. “And we couldn’t be more thrilled to add Nikko’s current licensing relationships to our portfolio. We’ve enjoyed the benefits of high-impact licensed properties in our current programs, and we’re excited to begin developing product with Nikko’s roster of iconic brand partners.”

Terms of the transaction between the two privately-held companies were not disclosed.

Toy State was surging even prior to the Nikko acquisition. Toy State secured licensing programs with Hot Wheels and James Bond 007, to complement its longstanding partnership with Caterpillar. And, earlier this year, Toy State launched to popular acclaim in Europe a new infant toy line, under the Papillon brand.

About Toy State:

For 30 years, Toy State has been an innovator and industry leader in the manufacture of licensed and highly stylized lights & sound and radio controlled vehicles. Founded in 1984, Toy State’s core portfolio includes Road Rippers, Hot Wheels and James Bond 007 lights & sound and radio controlled vehicles, as well as Cat and Cat Preschool construction toys. Working with the world’s leading automakers, and Caterpillar, the leading manufacturer of construction equipment, Toy State products provide hours of enjoyment for kids of all ages. For more information, visit www.toystate.com.

Carter Keithley has announced that he will retire as President & CEO of the Toy Industry Association (TIA), effective April 30, 2015, after nearly a decade of leadership with the trade organization. Keithley announced his retirement today, May 8th, at the TIA Board of Directors meeting held in Scottsdale, AZ.

TIA is the not-for-profit trade group representing all businesses involved in creating, producing and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Association’s more than 750 members account for an estimated 90% of the annual U.S. domestic toy market of $22.09B.

“My years as chief executive of the Toy Industry Association were the highlight of my 40-year career as an association executive,” stated Keithley. “My only regret is that I did not come to TIA as a younger man able to sustain the pace and workload for a longer time. As I enter my seventieth year of life, it is time for me to pass the baton to someone with fresh energy, vision and ambition, so that TIA can continue to serve its members and support the growth and health of the toy industry.”

Keithley assumed his role in May 2006 during a period of upheaval for TIA and the industry. The Toy Center Buildings, located in midtown Manhattan, were closing after serving for many years as the site of New York Toy Fair. Barely a year into Keithley’s term, the toy industry was faced with yet another crisis when hundreds of playthings were recalled by the U.S. government.

During his time at the Association, the annual budget of the organization grew from less than $14 million to nearly $18 million, and TIA’s membership base skyrocketed from 470 members to more than 750 companies, including manufacturers, retailers, sales reps, licensors, toy inventors and more. An office in Washington, DC was also established to accommodate a robust external affairs team comprised of nine industry advocates and technical / safety specialists.

“TIA was fortunate to find the right executive to meet the organization’s needs at a time of particular stress and turmoil,” said John Gessert, Chairman of the TIA Board and President of American Plastic Toys. “Carter will be missed, and we are all grateful for his decade of work on behalf of the toy industry.”

Gessert has appointed TIA Board Vice Chairman David Hargreaves of Hasbro, Inc. and Immediate Past TIA Chairman, Soren Torp Laursen of LEGO Systems, Inc., to co-chair a Transition Committee that will work with a professional search firm to hire a new executive for TIA.

Die VEDES, eine führende europäische Verbundgruppe für Spiel, Freizeit und Familie, plant, ihre Lagerlogistik ab Frühjahr 2015 am Standort Lotte bei Osnabrück zu konzentrieren. Dort verfügt das Unternehmen seit der Übernahme des operativen Großhandelsgeschäfts der Hoffmann Spielwaren GmbH & Co. KG zum 1. Januar 2014 über ein Zentrallager mit einer Kapazität von ca. 50.000 m³.

Seit 1. April 2014 hat Jürgen Wallmann (38) bei der Toys“R“Us GmbH die Position als Vice President Finance & Administration die Leitung der Bereiche Finanzen, Controlling, Rechnungswesen, Steuern, IT, Recht und Industrieeinkauf für die D/A/CH-Region übernommen. Er bekleidete in den vergangenen Jahren verschiedene Führungspositionen innerhalb der Metro AG, zuletzt als Senior Director Finance and Administration. Er folgt in seiner neuen Position Peter Hamela (45) nach, der Toys“R“Us Ende April verlassen wird, um sich nach 14 Jahren bei Toys“R“Us als Interim-Manager selbständig zu machen.

Die npdgroup EUROTOYS, der führende Anbieter von Marktforschungslösungen im Verbraucher- und Einzelhandelsmarkt, ernennt Joachim Stempfle zum neuen Toys Practice Director für Deutschland und Polen.

Joachim Stempfle blickt auf eine erfolgreiche Laufbahn in leitenden Funktionen bei Toys`r`Us, SPIELE MAX, KARSTADT sowie auf Industrieseite bei Clementoni zurück. Gemeinsam mit seinem Team soll er die Arbeit der npdgroup EUROTOYS in Deutschland und Polen nicht zuletzt aufgrund seiner Branchen-Expertise weiter entwickeln und ausbauen.

Die Stadlbauer Marketing+Vertrieb GmbH (SMV) mit Sitz in Puch bei Salzburg gab heute die 100prozentige Übernahme der Schildkrät Puppen- und Spielwaren GmbH in Rauenstein/Thüringen bekannt. Damit erweitert die SMV ihr Sortiment mit einer bekannten und hochwertigen Qualitätsmarke im Mädchen-Spielwaren-Bereich.

Wie Dr. Dieter und Andreas Stadlbauer gegenüber SPIELZEUGinternational erklärten, werde bereits mit Hochdruck an der für die Spielwarenmesse 2015 geplanten Neuheitenpräsentation von Schildkröt gearbeitet. Mittelfristig, so das Familienunternehmen, würden Marktanteile angestrebt, die dem außergewöhnlichen Image der Marke Schildkröt entsprächen.