Ertl Company
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The Ertl Company is an American toy company best known for its die-cast metal alloy collectible replicas of farm equipment and vehicles. The company is based in Dyersville, Iowa, home of the National Farm Toy Museum. In the 1990s, Ertl also began production in Mexico, inevitably laying off the employees of the original Ertl factory which would become a warehouse/distribution facility and an outlet store.
The popularity of Ertl toys is undoubtedly due to their detailed, small-scale representations of tractors and other vehicles. For years, Ertl's advertising slogan was "Ertl just like the real thing, only smaller."
Ertl has been producing farm toy replicas since 1945. For over 60 years, the company has produced farm toys for the biggest names in the industry including John Deere, CaseIH, New Holland, and AGCO. Ertl has also, on different occasions, acquired the licenses to produce die-cast vehicles and figurines as well as model kits for Thomas the Tank Engine, DC Comics, and Star Wars. IN 1999 Ertl was purchased by Racing Champions. Ertl is currently a brand under the RC2 Corp. umbrella.
Important Dates in Racing Champions/Ertl Company History
1945 The Ertl Company is founded by Fred Ertl, Sr.
1959 The company moves to larger facilities in Dyersville, Iowa.
1967 Ertl is acquired by Victor Comptometer Corporation.
1971 Ertl acquires Carter Tru-Scale.
1972 Ertl begins manufacturing plastic model kits.
1974 Ertl acquires Structo Stamped Steel.
1977 Kidde, Inc. acquires Ertl with purchase of Victor Comptometer Corp.
1981 Ertl acquires AMT model kit company.
1985 Ertl acquires MPC model kits.
1987 Hanson PLC purchases Kidde Corporation. Ertl acquires ECSI model kit company.
1989 Racing Champions is founded by Bob Dods, Boyd Meyer and Peter Chung.
1990 Ertl releases the first Precision Series farm toy replica.
1991-92 Racing Champions obtains NASCAR license
1992 Fred Ertl, Jr. retires
1995 Hanson PLC consolidates its U.S. companies to form U.S.I. (United States Industries.
1996 Racing Champions introduces its Mint line of non-racing vehicles. Racing Champions Corporation is formed.
1997 Racing Champions completes its initial public stock offering (RACN on NASDAQ).
1999 Racing Champions acquires The Ertl Company.
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