- Herpa
Infobox Company
company_name = Herpa Miniaturmodelle GMBH
company_
company_type = Private
foundation =Germany ,1949 as Hergenröther und Patente
location = Dietenhofen,Germany
key_people = Claus & Dieter Wagener (General Managers) Klaus Schindler (General Marketing and Sales)
Walter Wehr (General Production)
num_employees =
industry =Die-cast models Toys
products = Die-cast models and accessories for cars, trucks, aircraft, and railroads
revenue =
operating_income =
net_income =
homepage = [http://www.herpa.de http://www.herpa.de]Herpa, or Herpa Miniaturmodelle GMBH, is a German manufacturer of die-cast
model aircraft under theHerpa Wings trademark and car models under theHerpa Cars & Trucks trademark. The mainstay of Herpa Wings is in the 1/500 scale, although models are also produced in the 1/400, 1/200, and 1/1000 scales as well. Herpa Cars & Trucks are mainly produced in the 1/87 scale, although 1/220 and1/160 scales are also offered.Herpa also produces magazines for car & truck enthusiasts and
model aircraft enthusiasts, known as "Der Maßstab" and "WingsWorld" respectively.History
1949
The company “Hergenröther und Patente” is founded in Beilngries by inventor and patent holder Wilhelm Hergenröther to produce accessories for model trains. The initials of the company’s name make up the short form of “Herpa”.
1978
Car models in the
HO 1/87 scale are presented at the International Toy Fair inNuremberg . Herpa continues to extend this product line. Every following car model is put on the market usingsnap-fit construction (without any necessary gluing).1980s
In
1980 , Herpa presents the firsttruck models. Following that, in1981 , Herpa's truck models sport tipping cabins revealing an exact reproduction of an engine within. Industrial customers also start to use Herpa’s car models as an advertising instrument with their own company’s imprinting. The first issue of "Der Maßstab" is released in1982 . Herpa launches the HIGH-TECH series in the 1/87 scale in1986 , with the first model in the series aFerrari Testarossa consisting of 22 pieces, an opening hood and technical features such as a 12-cylinder motor and wheels with separate suspension.In
1987 , the first plastic samples of airplane models of Boeing 747-200s in the 1/500 scale are produced. These models were presented toLufthansa at an initiation ceremony for a Boeing 737-300 atNuremberg Airport .Lufthansa then orders the production of the Lufthansa Model-Edition in the 1/200 scale exclusively for the airline. Herpa then launches the Lufthansa Model-Edition in1988 with a replica of the Boeing 737-300.1990s
In
1992 , theHerpa Wings series of airplane models in the 1/500 scale are launched inNuremberg . These models come with rollinglanding gear , an industry first that has not been duplicated.Tamp printing is used to create highly-detailed replicas of their originals. Several airlines placed orders with Herpa for the production of airplane models in their respective liveries.In
1993 , Herpa creates the firstmotorcycle in the 1/87 scale. A licensing contract with plane manufacturerBoeing is also signed in1995 . The first set of airport accessories is produced in1996 . Herpa receives theISO 9001 certificate from theBavarian Trade and Business Institute for the upholding of a quality management system that meets the highestEurope an norms.In
1997 ,Herpa Wings magazine "WingsWorld" was launched, alongside the firstmodel aircraft in the 1/200 scale. The Herpa Wings Club is launched in1999 in conjunction with Herpa's 50th anniversary.2000s
2001 marked the start of the retailer initiative Herpa eXtra. The combined online/offline distribution concept was received by fifty initial retailers in various European countries. A Herpa Wings Christmas model was also produced for the first time. In2004 , the first Herpa Wings 1/1000 model was released, and more followed soon after. Also, aDC-3 is flown in company colours at various air-shows across theUnited States . The DC-3 flown is also available in theHerpa Wings collection in a scale of 1/200. The SCENIX range was also launched in2006 . In 2007, Herpa took on the Minitanks brand and product line of military vehicles from Austrian manufacturer, Roco.Products
Herpa Wings
Herpa Wings produces
model aircraft in scales of 1/200, 1/400, 1/500, 1/600 and 1/1000. Approximately 1,200 different versions of 250 airlines in 17 different aircraft types have been released since its founding in1992 . Many airlines such asCathay Pacific andSingapore Airlines stock Wings models as part of their on-boardduty-free catalogues. These exclusive models are not available in the regular collection.Herpa Cars & Trucks
Herpa Cars & Trucks releases model
car s andtruck s in the 1/87HO scale , but also in the 1/160 and 1/220 scales. Since1978 , 37 different types in 200 liveries have been produced, with many used by industrial customers.Minitanks
On October 1, 2007, Herpa took on the worldwide distribution of the Minitanks product line from Austrian manufacturer, Roco (Modelleisenbahn GmbH). This military series has been in production since 1960 and produces vehicles from a variety of eras in both N and HO scale.
CENIX
Although the first SCENIX
Mercedes Benz Actros "Black Edition" model was already available in December 2005, the SCENIX series was officially launched in 2006. The series is made up of models presented in a PC box that personifies truck models with light and sound.Also, SCENIX comprises Herpa Wings accessories. Entire airport dioramas can be assembled, with many airport accessories also available to supplement these dioramas. Features such as runway lights have also been added in recent times. Airport buildings and accessories are mainly available in the 1/500 scale, with a few exceptions in the 1/400 scale.
Publications
"Der Maßstab" and "WingsWorld" are the two magazines produced by Herpa for car and truck enthusiasts and
model aircraft enthusiasts. Initiated in1986 and1997 , respectively, these magazines were only made available to Herpa Cars Club and Herpa Wings Club members. However, these magazines are now available via subscription to non-members, with Club members still receiving these magazines as part of their membership.Herpa also releases annual catalogues for the Herpa Wings and Herpa Cars & Trucks collection, which highlight the various products for the year. New-release brochures are also available to Club members.
ee also
*
Gemini Jets
*Schabak
*Dragon Wings
*Phoenix Models
*Inflight500 External links
* [http://www.herpa.de Herpa Miniaturmodelle GMBH]
* [http://www.airlinemuseum.com Airline Museum Gift Shop]
* [http://www.Diecastsupermart.com Diecast Supermart]
* [http://www.promotex.ca Promotex Inc. N.A. Importer]
* [http://www.phoenix-model.net Phoenix Model Airplane]
* [http://www.dragon-models.com Dragon Wings Models Airplane]
* [http://www.inflight500.com Inflight 500 Models Airlines]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.