Changes: Ertl Company

Revision as of 09:03, 5 December 2012

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ERTL brand logo

1945-1981, 2004-current

The Ertl Company (or Ertl for short) was a maker of die cast and injection molded plastic models.

History

AMT/Ertl company logos
File:AMTErtlLogo.jpg
1982-1986	1987-1992	1993-1999

Founded in 1945 by Fred Ertl, Sr., the Iowa-based Ertl Company occupied a niche in the booming die-cast model market by specializing in the production of agricultural farming equipment and vehicle models. These licensed models were initially created for real-world farming equipment companies' marketing departments but Ertl soon began to produce die-cast models for sale to collectors and as toys.

In 1972 the company introduced injection-molded plastic model kits based on their established product lines. Unable to garner sufficient sales, Ertl strategically acquired a number of model kit and die-cast model-making companies.

Over three decades, Ertl acquired Carter Tru-Scale (1971), Structo Stamped Steel (1974), Aluminum Model Toys (1981), MPC Model Kits (1985), ECSI Model Kit Company (1987), and Britains Limited (2000) to become one of the largest US manufacturers of model kits and die-cast models. Ertl's complete acquisition of the near-bankrupt AMT from Lesney Products led to the new name AMT/Ertl which falsely hinted at a merger. Ertl retained the AMT brand name until 2000.

While itself an active acquirer of companies, Ertl was in turn owned by a succession of larger corporations including Victor Comptometer Corporation (1967-1977), Kidde, Inc. (1977-1987), Hanson PLC (1987-1999), RC2 Corporation (1999-2011), and Tomy (2011-present)[1]

RC2 Corporation's ownership proved to have the most far-reaching effects on the company, though the Ertl name was at first incorporated in the new parent company's name as Racing Champions/ERTL. In 2004, Ertl was relegated to a subsidiary brand under the RC2 umbrella. The brand had come full circle and was used to market die-cast models of agricultural equipment and vehicles exclusively, just as it did following the company's inception in 1945.

Star Trek association

Star Trek model kits

For individual Star Trek model kits listing see AMT/Ertl.

With the acquisition of AMT, Ertl gained the license to produce a Star Trek model kit line. Over nearly twenty-five years, the company produced products from two more live action Star Trek series and eight Star Trek films. AMT/Ertl lost out on the license for Star Trek: Voyager which was awarded to Revell-Monogram.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock 1984 toy line

Ertl released a small toy line based on Star Trek III: The Search for Spock in 1984 which consisted of four plastic action figures and three die-cast ship models (two of which were re-released in 1989) under the Ertl brand name.

Release	Item	Item number	Material	Scale	Notes
1984	Mr. Spock	331	Plastic	n/s	With phaser
	Captain Kirk	332	Plastic	n/s	With tricorder
	Scotty	333	Plastic	n/s	With phaser
	Klingon Leader (Kruge)	334	Plastic	n/s	With Klingon monster dog
	USS Enterprise refit	1372	Diecast	1/2743
	USS Excelsior	1373	Diecast	n/s	Labeled as "NCC-1799"
	Bird of Prey	1374	Diecast	n/s	Two variants, one light blue and one light green on slightly differing cards
File:Ertl 1372 1984 diecast USS Enterprise.JPG
1989	USS Enterprise-A	1372	Diecast	1/2743	Re-issue for Star Trek V: The Final Frontier; Outfitted with new decals; On new card
1989	Bird of Prey	1374	Diecast	n/s	Re-issue for Star Trek V: The Final Frontier; Outfitted with new paint scheme; On new card
1991	USS Enterprise-A	n/a	Diecast	1/2743	Re-issue for Star Trek Smithsonian Exhibit as merchandise for their gift shop; On new card
1994	USS Enterprise-A	n/a	Diecast	1/2743	Re-issue in Limited Edition gold deco for Spencer Gifts; Individually serialized on new box
File:Ertl 1991 diecast Enterprise Smithonian.jpg

External links

Ertl Company at Wikipedia
ErtlToys.com - official web site

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 In 1972 the company introduced injection-molded plastic model kits based on their established product lines. Unable to garner sufficient sales, Ertl strategically acquired a number of model kit and die-cast model-making companies.
-Over three decades, Ertl acquired Carter Tru-Scale (1971), Structo Stamped Steel (1974), [[Aluminum Model Toys]] (1981), MPC Model Kits (1985), ECSI Model Kit Company (1987), and {{w|Britains Limited}} (2000) to become one of the largest US manufacturers of model kits and die-cast models. Ertl's complete acquisition of the near-bankrupt AMT from [[Lesney Products]] led to the new name '''AMT/Ertl''' which falsely hinted at a merger. Ertl retained the AMT brand name until 2000.
+Over three decades, Ertl acquired Carter Tru-Scale (1971), Structo Stamped Steel (1974), [[Aluminum Model Toys]] (1981), MPC Model Kits (1985), ECSI Model Kit Company (1987), and {{w|Britains Limited}} (2000) to become one of the largest US manufacturers of model kits and die-cast models. Ertl's complete acquisition of the near-bankrupt AMT from [[Lesney Products]] led to the new name [[AMT/Ertl]] which falsely hinted at a merger. Ertl retained the AMT brand name until 2000.
-While itself an active acquirer of companies, Ertl was in turn owned by a succession of larger companies including Victor Comptometer Corporation (1967-1977), Kidde, Inc. (1977-1987), Hanson PLC (1987-1999), [[Racing Champions|RC2 Corporation]] (1999-2011), and {{w|Tomy}} (2011-present)[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/english/release/pdf/i110502_en.pdf]
+While itself an active acquirer of companies, Ertl was in turn owned by a succession of larger corporations including Victor Comptometer Corporation (1967-1977), Kidde, Inc. (1977-1987), Hanson PLC (1987-1999), [[Racing Champions|RC2 Corporation]] (1999-2011), and {{w|Tomy}} (2011-present)[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/english/release/pdf/i110502_en.pdf]
 RC2 Corporation's ownership proved to have the most far-reaching effects on the company, though the ''Ertl'' name was at first incorporated in the new parent company's name as '''''Racing Champions/ERTL'''''. In 2004, Ertl was relegated to a subsidiary brand under the RC2 umbrella. The brand had come full circle and was used to market die-cast models of agricultural equipment and vehicles exclusively, just as it did following the company's inception in 1945.