Märklin Holding GmbH - Introduction

Introduction

Stuttgarter Strasse 55-57
D-73033 Göppingen
Germany
Telephone: (+49) 7161 608-0
Fax: (+49) 7161 608-550
Web site: http://www.maerklin.com

Private Company
Incorporated: 1888 as Gebr. Märklin
Employees: 1,460 (2004)
Sales: EUR164.4 million ($206.4 million)
NAIC: 339932 Game, Toy, and Children's Vehicle Manufacturing

Marklin Holding GmbH is the management company of Germany's number one model train manufacturer. From the imperial train of German emperor Wilhelm II to modern high-speed Intercity Express trains, Märklin has built a true-to-life model of the most famous locomotives and the most mundane wagons imaginable. The company makes the whole range of locomotives and rolling stock for all common gauge sizes. The detail-rich, all-metal historical and modern trains of the upscale and expensive Märklin brand have found a loyal following among mainly male railroad enthusiasts in Germany and abroad. Nuremberg-based subsidiary Trix makes gauge N-sized mini-trains which are marketed under the "Trix" brand name. Märklin also makes a small number of limited edition models of cars, ships, and vintage toys. Märklin puts out about 300 new products each year, ranging from $175 two-train starter kits to limited editions of collector's items made of precious metal that cost tens of thousands of dollars. Headquartered in Göppingen near Stuttgart, the company has manufacturing plants in Germany and Hungary and sales subsidiaries in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the United States. Exports account for almost 30 percent of total sales. Märklin is still owned by descendants of company founder Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin and his later business partners who established the firm in the second half of the 19th century.