Jo-Han

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Jo-Han is a manufacturer of scale plastic model kits based in Covington, KY. The company was founded in 1947 by tool maker John Hanley. The first products were model aircraft and other promotional items.

Some early projects included scale model kitchen sets and a model of Chrysler's fluid drive transmission.

Due to the success of these models, the company was awarded contracts to produce GM and Chrysler promotional models for the 1955 model year.

The company was first called the Ideal Toy Company. This name was changed due to a conflict with the existing Ideal Toy Company. The name was then changed to reflect the 1st two letters the 1st three letters of Hanley's name.

In 1959 Jo-Han began using styrene as opposed to acetate plastice that warped easily.

Jo-Han models were offered throughout the 60's, but as the promotional model business tapered off in the 1970's, it became financially difficult for Jo-Han to develop new tooling. The last new tooling was of the 1977 Cadillac.

Jo-Han limped through the 80's by re-issuing old kits and promos.

In 1991 the company was purchased by Seville a manufacturer of plastic parts for the auto industry.

In 2000 Jo-Han was purchased from the ailing Seville Enterprises by Mr. Okey Spaulding. A new company was formed, "Johan Models LLC"