Is there an overall global leader in the Toy Soldier market? (1 Viewer)

[Isandlwana]

I'm not sure how it would be determined, possibly on turnover, but from a global perspective whom would you say was the leader in Toy Soldier manufacturing?

I'm not concerned with hearing that Company A makes better figures than Company B because that's subjective and irrelevant.

 

[IXEC]

Here we go again.....

 

[theBaron]

Here we go again.....

I had a similar reflex reaction, but on further reflection, this one could stay objective, if we establish criteria. As Isandlwana notes, it's not about which maker's figures you like the best. I can see that this can be quantified as "Who sells the most units?" or "Who has the highest gross sales receipts annually?"

Prost!
Brad

 

[Poppo]

I'm not sure how it would be determined, possibly on turnover, but from a global perspective whom would you say was the leader in Toy Soldier manufacturing?

I'm not concerned with hearing that Company A makes better figures than Company B because that's subjective and irrelevant.

In my opinion it is KC still...But less and less as other companies improve their quality, make prices less expensive, and are having a larger and larger ranges and bigger number of figures.And in my opinion the best moment for toysoldiers is behind: I see less original items, the best has been done, i guess...

 

[trooper]

There is no overall leader, just a lot of companies trying to make a living. Each has their followers, some more vocal than others, but fan mail alone cannot determine "leadership." Trooper

 

[nysoldiers]

From a purely financial perspective you can make some assumptions based on empirical evidence. Another words without actually getting the revenues of any company we can take other parameters and make educated guesses!
My marketing and financial background would lead me to the following assertions.

K&C has been in business for almost 30 years.
K&C has considerable advertising and promotion budgets. Evidenced by their trade magazine ads, website, digital marketing with e-mails to collectors, show attendance and events, flyers and collector magazines.
K&C releases monthly and on average with at least 5 to 6 series. Their diversity of products is currently unequalled (figures, vehicles, planes and scenic items).
K&C has the most extensive chanel network (dealers) globally and they have been established for many years. We can realistically assume that these local dealers have customer loyalty and marketing of their own.
K&C pricing is held fairly constant through dealers showing a loyalty and obvious profit strategy.
K&C value on discontinued and"antique" products is substantially higher than other makers.
K&C has a impressive retail operation in HK that can be used to stimulate the largest Chinese market.
K&C does private label for some makers such as Del Prado and perhaps others.

There are probably more parameters I am missing with this quick evaluation but I think their rank is fairly obvious.
Again this is not based on quality or popularity but objective information. Being the biggest doesn't necessarily make you the best!

Your comments are always welcome.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Folks to say I am tired of hearing how fantastic brand x vs brand y is would be an understatement but I decided to use some of NYSoldiers last post to demonstrate that you can insert any maker into the formula and come up with what you are looking for. From a purely financial perspective you can make some assumptions based on empirical evidence. So without actually knowing the revenue figures of any company you can make up whatever parameters you want and they apply a SWAG and see if your right so here is what I see:

WBritains has been in business for over 100 years.

WBritains has considerable advertising and promotion budgets. Evidenced by their trade magazine ads, website, digital marketing with e-mails to collectors, show attendance and events, flyers and collector magazines.

WBritains releases figures through out the year. Their diversity of products is currently unequalled (figures, vehicles, and scenic items).

WBritians has the most extensive network (dealers) globally and they have been established for many, many years.

WBritians pricing is very fair and you get a lot for your dollar which is certainly a wise strategy in todays market.

WBritians value on antique products is substantially higher than other makers.

Again this is not based on quality or popularity but objective information.(Right I'm not very objective in my collecting)

Dave

 

[Isandlwana]

Thanks for the responses bar one. It seems China is key to supply and demand. Therefore is anyone aware of any murmurings from within China with regards to entering the market as manufacturers on a large scale rather than purely providing labour?

 

[Gazza]

Hi Folks to say I am tired of hearing how fantastic brand x vs brand y is would be an understatement but I decided to use some of NYSoldiers last post to demonstrate that you can insert any maker into the formula and come up with what you are looking for. From a purely financial perspective you can make some assumptions based on empirical evidence. So without actually knowing the revenue figures of any company you can make up whatever parameters you want and they apply a SWAG and see if your right so here is what I see:

WBritains has been in business for over 100 years.

WBritains has considerable advertising and promotion budgets. Evidenced by their trade magazine ads, website, digital marketing with e-mails to collectors, show attendance and events, flyers and collector magazines.

WBritains releases figures through out the year. Their diversity of products is currently unequalled (figures, vehicles, and scenic items).

WBritians has the most extensive network (dealers) globally and they have been established for many, many years.

WBritians pricing is very fair and you get a lot for your dollar which is certainly a wise strategy in todays market.

WBritians value on antique products is substantially higher than other makers.

Again this is not based on quality or popularity but objective information.(Right I'm not very objective in my collecting)

Dave

Dave

I could not agree more.

Britains has been in business since 1893.

Britains has a brand name that is synonymous with toy soldiers; outside of the collecting community most people would not have a clue who KC were (or many of the other manufacturers). The same can not be said for Britains.

It is a company that has regularly re-invented itself - and has produced 10's of millions of toy soldiers

Gazza

 

[thebritfarmer]

Dave

I could not agree more.

Britains has been in business since 1893.

Britains has a brand name that is synonymous with toy soldiers; outside of the collecting community most people would not have a clue who KC were (or many of the other manufacturers). The same can not be said for Britains.

It is a company that has regularly re-invented itself - and has produced 10's of millions of toy soldiers

Gazza

Have to agree and that doesn't include all of the non-soldier products they also made.

 

[Mitch]

who cares? As long as who one collects produces accurate and detailed releases for what they charge I would buy from the alleged leader or, the one allegedly at the bottom of the pile.

The leader of the soldier market would be the one with either most sales or highest revenue or, something similar, would it not? As collectors don't get to know those details. Its an abstract question like how long is a piece of string??? Pointless IMO!
Mitch

 

[Isandlwana]

who cares? As long as who one collects produces accurate and detailed releases for what they charge I would buy from the alleged leader or, the one allegedly at the bottom of the pile.

The leader of the soldier market would be the one with either most sales or highest revenue or, something similar, would it not? As collectors don't get to know those details. Its an abstract question like how long is a piece of string??? Pointless IMO!
Mitch

I see you have reverted to type once again. If it's pointless then no need to comment IMO (I suspect this means 'in my opinion') and overuse of the comma is so annoying.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Hi Folks to say I am tired of hearing how fantastic brand x vs brand y is would be an understatement but I decided to use some of NYSoldiers last post to demonstrate that you can insert any maker into the formula and come up with what you are looking for.

Hey Sir-

normally Id agree with you, perhaps NYSoldiers post could be a bit suspect but I know the guy (casually) and have seen his collection through pictures and spoke to several collectors whom I really respect who suffer from some "collection envy" {sm4} when touring his collection. While he has his share of KC products, he is really extremely well versed in toy soldiers and I really see his input as pretty balanced given his background and the breadth of knowledge he has with toy soldiers.

Global leader?? Not sure but I dont think Isandlwana was trying to start some strife here. I assume he was reasonably curious which is cool. My gut instinct would tell me it would be Britains or KC and Im really not going to defend my assumption as I have nothing more than gut instinct to go from here. I do know that with FL and KC giving us their August releases and then TG doing so pretty soon collectors arent hurtin for ways to spend their money.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I see you have reverted to type once again. If it's pointless then no need to comment IMO (I suspect this means 'in my opinion') and overuse of the comma is so annoying.

No need to be so harsh, people are entitled to post their comments for or against just as you are. Please let remember this and keep it civil.

 

[Martin Tabony]

I wish I had taken more notice in school but I didn't realise we were going to be tested on the use on commas!^&grin

Martin

 

[waynepoo]

Just going on the 'Tall poppy syndrome' eg: which company and owner cops the most unjustified moaning and groaning, whining and criticism from the most amount of armchair know nothings and rivet counters, well that's a no brainer....King and country hands down..oh I forgot to add IMO the most common three letter word used on this forum.
Wayne

 

[OzDigger]

Britains in 1/32 scale.

King & Country in 1/30 scale.

 

[wayne556517]

I wish I had taken more notice in school but I didn't realise we were going to be tested on the use on commas!^&grin

Martin

O'H we,ll i"ve failed,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,^&grin

Classic comment Martin you got to love "humor".......................{bravo}}

Back to the thread umm for me it would have to be HITLER he would be the most produced leader in the toysoldier market i think...................^&grin

 

[nysoldiers]

Hi Folks to say I am tired of hearing how fantastic brand x vs brand y is would be an understatement but I decided to use some of NYSoldiers last post to demonstrate that you can insert any maker into the formula and come up with what you are looking for. From a purely financial perspective you can make some assumptions based on empirical evidence. So without actually knowing the revenue figures of any company you can make up whatever parameters you want and they apply a SWAG and see if your right so here is what I see:

WBritains has been in business for over 100 years.

WBritains has considerable advertising and promotion budgets. Evidenced by their trade magazine ads, website, digital marketing with e-mails to collectors, show attendance and events, flyers and collector magazines.

WBritains releases figures through out the year. Their diversity of products is currently unequalled (figures, vehicles, and scenic items).

WBritians has the most extensive network (dealers) globally and they have been established for many, many years.

WBritians pricing is very fair and you get a lot for your dollar which is certainly a wise strategy in todays market.

WBritians value on antique products is substantially higher than other makers.

Again this is not based on quality or popularity but objective information.(Right I'm not very objective in my collecting)

Dave

Actually I "spaced out" WBritains and they could have more revenue than K&C.....no matter this was just a simple exercise with no alterior motives!
I don't beleive, however, that WBritains values have increased nearly as much as K&C with products made in the last 20 years or so. This is based on what I see on ebay and the forum but certainly not a scientific study.
By the way I collect K&C, JJD, FL, WBritiains, TCS, TG and many others....each has a value to me personally so this was not meant to be a brinksmanship post.
Seems kind of ridiculous to be so "thin skinned" on a toy soldier forum.....hate to see how some react to political differences!

 

[nysoldiers]

Hey Sir-

normally Id agree with you, perhaps NYSoldiers post could be a bit suspect but I know the guy (casually) and have seen his collection through pictures and spoke to several collectors whom I really respect who suffer from some "collection envy" {sm4} when touring his collection. While he has his share of KC products, he is really extremely well versed in toy soldiers and I really see his input as pretty balanced given his background and the breadth of knowledge he has with toy soldiers.

Global leader?? Not sure but I dont think Isandlwana was trying to start some strife here. I assume he was reasonably curious which is cool. My gut instinct would tell me it would be Britains or KC and Im really not going to defend my assumption as I have nothing more than gut instinct to go from here. I do know that with FL and KC giving us their August releases and then TG doing so pretty soon collectors arent hurtin for ways to spend their money.

Thanks Chris....
My comments were only meant to respond to revenue leaders which is a reasonable post for a toy soldier forum. As a businessman I am always curious about numbers and it certainly doesn't matter to me in terms of who I should buy from.
Just normal curiousity.....I enjoy all the makers and hope they are all profitable enough to stick around a lot longer.