Manufacturer of model railways, plastic model kits, die-cast models and model-making accessories
Hornby Hobbies Ltd
Margate (Kent, GB) · Liverpool (GB, historic founding seat)New on Amplifa
About Hornby Hobbies
Hornby Hobbies Ltd is a British company in the model-making and toy industry based in Margate, Kent. The product portfolio includes model railways in 00 and TT scales (Hornby brand), plastic model kits (Airfix, Pocher), die-cast model vehicles (Corgi), slot car racing systems (Scalextric) as well as model paints and accessories (Humbrol). Production of the models was relocated to Guangdong (China) between 1995 and 1999; locomotives, wagons, vehicles and kits in series scales are made from plastic, die-cast metal and lithographed tinplate. Today the company unites 15 collectible and model-making brands, including Rivarossi, Jouef, Lima, Arnold and Electrotren, and distributes its products via retailers worldwide. Its roots go back to 1901 in Liverpool, when founder Frank Hornby received a patent for the Meccano metal construction kit; Hornby has been based in Margate since 1964.
- Site
- Margate, Kent
- Processes
- Model making/manufacturing of model railways (00 gauge, TT), Die-cast model vehicles (Corgi), Manufacture of plastic model kits (Airfix, Pocher 1:8), Manufacture of paints and lacquers (Humbrol), Model railway and model-making manufacturing (00/TT, H0, N, 0 gauge), Kit production, Model paints and accessories, Digital model railway control (Zero 1, historic)
- Materials
- Plastic, Die-cast metal, Lithographed tinplate, Rubber (rubber inflated toys), Rubber
- Founded
- 1901
- Industries
- Toys/Model making, Model railways, Collector models (die-cast)
- 01
Product development
- 02
Tool and mould making
- 03
Injection moulding/plastics processing
- 04
Die casting
- 05
Tinplate lithography
- 06
Assembly
- 07
Distribution via stockists worldwide
Materials & Manufacturing Processes
Plastic
Housings, wagons and model kits (including Tri-ang plastic versions, Airfix and Pocher kits).
Die-cast metal
Locomotive housings (Hornby Dublo) and die-cast model vehicles (Corgi).
Lithographed tinplate
Wagons and track ballast bodies of the Hornby Dublo models.
Rubber
Historically used by Airfix for rubberised inflatable toys.
Sites
Margate
GBAdministration and historic production site
- Materials
- Plastic, die-cast metal, tinplate
Guangdong
CNProduction (since 1995)
- Materials
- Plastic, die-cast metal
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model making/manufacturing of model railways (00 gauge, TT)Assembly | – | – | – | – | Plastic, Die-cast metal, Tinplate |
| Die-cast model vehicles (Corgi)Casting | – | – | – | – | Die-cast metal |
| Manufacture of plastic model kits (Airfix, Pocher 1:8)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Plastic |
| Manufacture of paints and lacquers (Humbrol)Surface | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
History
- 1901
Frank Hornby receives patent for the Meccano construction kit (Liverpool); origin of Hornby Hobbies
- 1920
First clockwork model railway in 0 gauge
- 1927–1930
Factory in Elizabeth, New Jersey (USA); sold to A. C. Gilbert in 1929
- 1938
Introduction of Hornby Dublo (00 gauge)
- 1942–1948
Production halt during the Second World War; full capacity regained in 1948
- 1953
Factory in Margate built by Lines Brothers for Rovex Scale Models (Tri-ang Railways)
- 1964
Acquisition of Meccano Ltd by Lines Brothers (Tri-ang); merger into Tri-ang Hornby; relocation to Margate
- 1971
Insolvency of Lines Bros.; sale to Dunbee-Combex-Marx
- 1972
Renaming to Hornby Railways
- 1979
Introduction of the Zero 1 digital system
- 1980er
Independence as Hornby Hobbies; stock exchange listing in London
- 1995–1999
Relocation of production to Guangdong, China
- 2006/2007
Acquisition of the Airfix and Humbrol brands
- 2008
Acquisition of Corgi Classics
- 2013
Relaunch of the Pocher brand (Nuremberg International Toy Fair)
- 2017
Majority stake held by Phoenix Asset Management
- 2024
Stake held by Frasers Group (8.9%); Phoenix Asset Management holds 71.63%