Ertl Company - History

History

Ertl has been producing farm toy replicas since 1945. For over 60 years, the company has produced farm toys for industry brands such as: John Deere, Case IH, 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 Garfield, Thomas the Tank Engine, Super Mario Bros. DC Comics, and Star Wars. In 1999 Ertl was purchased by Racing Champions. Ertl is currently a brand under the RC2 Corporation umbrella.

Important Dates in Racing Champions/Ertl Company History

  • 1945 - The Ertl Company is founded by Fred Ertl, Sr., in Dubuque, Iowa.
  • 1959 - The company moves to larger facilities in Dyersville, Iowa.
  • 1967 - Ertl is acquired by Victor Comptometer Corporation.
  • 1971 - Ertl acquires Carter Tru-Scale.
  • 1973 - 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 - Company produces a commercial version of the Eternity puzzle
  • 1999 - Racing Champions acquires The Ertl Company.
  • 2000 - Ertl acquires Britains Limited
  • 2003 - Racing Champions Ertl acquired Chicago-based Learning Curve International, Inc.,
  • 2004 - RC2 Corporation acquired Playing Mantis assets and The First Years Inc.,
  • 2008 - Auto World (a division of Round 2, LLC) signs licensing agreement to produce and market AMT, MPC, Polar Lights, and 24 and 18 scale diecast

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