Herpa
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| Herpa Miniaturmodelle GMBH | |
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| Type of Company | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | Germany, 1949 as Hergenröther und Patente |
| Headquarters | Dietenhofen, Germany |
| Key people | Claus Wagener (General Manager) Dieter Wagener (General Manager) Klaus Schindler (General Marketing and Sales) Walter Wehr (General Production) |
| Industry | Die-cast models Toys |
| Products | Die-cast model products for cars, trucks, planes, and railroads |
| Website | http://www.herpa.de |
Herpa, or Herpa Miniaturmodelle GMBH, is a German manufacturer of die-cast airline models under the Herpa Wings trademark and car models under the Herpa Cars & Trucks trademark. The mainstay of Herpa Wings is in the 1:500 scale, although models are offered under the 1:400, 1:200, and 1:1000 scales as well. Herpa Cars & Trucks are mainly produced in the 1:87 scale, although 1:220 and 1:160 scales are also offered.
Herpa also produces magazines for car & truck enthusiasts and airline model enthusiasts, known as Der Maßstab and WingsWorld respectively.
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[edit] History
[edit] 1949
The company “Hergenröther und Patente” is founded in Beilngries by inventor and patent holder Wilhelm Hergenröther to produce accessories for model trains. The initials of the company’s name make up the short form of “Herpa”.
[edit] 1978
Car models in the HO 1:87 scale are presented at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg. Herpa continues to extend this product line. Every following car model is put on the market using snap-fit construction (without any necessary gluing).
[edit] 1980s
In 1980, Herpa presents the first truck models. Following that, in 1981, Herpa's truck models sport tipping cabins revealing an exact reproduction of a motor. Industrial customers also start to use Herpa’s car models as an advertising instrument with their own company’s imprinting. The first issue of Der Maßstab is released in 1982. Herpa launches the HIGH-TECH series in the 1/87 scale in 1986, with the first model in the series a Ferrari Testarossa consisting of twenty-two pieces, an opening hood and technical features such as a twelve-cylinder motor and wheels with separate suspension.
In 1987, the first plastic samples of airplane models of Boeing 747-200s in the 1:500 scale are produced. These models were presented to Lufthansa at an initiation ceremony for a Boeing 737-300 at Nuremberg Airport. Lufthansa then orders the production of the Lufthansa Model-Edition in the 1:200 scale exclusively for the airline. Herpa then launches the Lufthansa Model-Edition in 1988 with a replica of the Boeing 737-300.
[edit] 1990s
In 1992, the Herpa Wings series of airplane models in the 1/500 scale are launched in Nuremberg. These models come with rolling landing gear, an industry first. Tamp printing is used to create highly detailed replicas of their originals. Several airlines place orders with Herpa for the production of airplane models in their respective colours.
In 1993, Herpa creates the first motorcycle in the 1:87 scale. A licensing contract with plane manufacturer Boeing is also signed in 1995. The first set of airport accessories is produced in 1996. Herpa receives the ISO 9001 certificate from the Bavarian Trade and Business Institute for the upholding of a quality management system that meets the highest European norms.
In 1997, Herpa Wings magazine WingsWorld is launched, alongside the first model planes in the 1:200 scale. The Herpa Wings Club is launched in 1999 in conjunction with Herpa's 50th anniversary.
[edit] 2000s
2001 marked the start of the retailer initiative Herpa eXtra. The combined online/offline distribution concept was received by fifty initial retailers in various European countries. A Herpa Wings Christmas model was also produced for the first time. In 2004, the first Herpa Wings 1:1000 model is released, with Herpa flying a DC-3 in company colours around various air-shows in the US. The SCENIX range was also launched in 2006.
[edit] Products
[edit] Herpa Wings
Main article: Herpa Wings
Herpa Wings releases model airliners in scales 1:200, 1:400, 1:500, and 1:1000. Approximately 1,200 different versions of 250 airlines in 17 different aircraft types have been produced since its founding in 1992. Many airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines stock Wings models for onboard duty-free shopping.
[edit] Herpa Cars & Trucks
Herpa Cars & Trucks releases model cars and trucks in the 1:87 HO scale, but also in the 1:160 and 1:220 scales. Since 1978, 37 different types in 200 liveries have been produced, with many used by industrial customers.
[edit] SCENIX
The SCENIX series was launched in 2006, with accessories for both Wings and Cars & Trucks produced. In SCENIX Wings, whole airport dioramas are set up, with many airport accessories also available. Airport buildings and accessories are mainly in the 1:500 scale, with a few exceptions in the 1:400 scale.
In SCENIX Cars & Trucks, lights and sounds are added to existing models to personify truck models. These modifications are mainly carried out in the 1:87 scale and are only available to selected models.
[edit] Publications
Der Maßstab and WingsWorld are the two main Herpa-produced magazines for car and truck enthusiasts and plane enthusiasts. Initiated in 1986 and 1997 respectively, these magazines were only made available to Herpa Cars Club and Herpa Wings Club members. However, these magazines are now available via subscription to non-members, with Club members still receiving these magazines as part of their membership.
Herpa also releases annual catalogues for the Herpa Wings and Herpa Cars & Trucks range, which highlight the various products for the year. New releases brochures are also available to Club members.
