Brandstätter Group

Infobox Company
company_name = Brandstätter Group
company_
company_type = Toy; electronic
foundation = 1876
location = Zirndorf, Germany
key_people = Andreas Brandstätter
Horst Brandstätter
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products = Playmobil; computer software
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Brandstätter Group (Geobra Brandstätter GmbH & Co KG) is a German company, headquartered in Zirndorf. The group is comprised of toy company Playmobil, Playmobil 1.2.3 Ltd, Inmold Ltd, Hob Electronics Ltd, Hob Components Ltd, HOB Inc., HOB GmbH & Co KG, and Hob Software Ltd. In 1876, the company was founded by Andreas Brandstätter in Fürth, Bavaria and produced ornamental fittings and locks. By 1921, the company mainly was producing metal toys such as piggy banks, telephones, cash registers, and scales.

In 1954, production shifted to plastics and in the following years produced toys such as the Multi-Worker play-set. [http://perso.wanadoo.fr/ludoplaymo/historique.htm] The Playmobil line of products was introduced in 1970 under Horst Brandstätter and marketed worldwide in 1975. Since 1971, Brandstätter has been operating in Malta.

The Brandstätter Group produces exclusively in Europe, chiefly at its main factory in Dietenhofen, 25 km from Zirndorf, with a workforce of 750 people. Although Playmobil also has factories in Malta (700 employees), Spain and the Czech Republic, Horst Brandstätter expanded production in Germany, and invested heavily in the Dietenhofen factory.

ources

*en icon [http://w2.vu.edu.au/malta/newsletter/consular_v5i13SepOct2001.htm Malta Topics]
*en icon [http://www.goethe.de/ges/wrt/thm/en1198396.htm Cheerful Plastic Figures from Franconia – Playmobil Conquers the Playroom, "Goethe-Institut"]