Märklin sends out positive signals
The model railway manufacturer Märklin from Göppingen publishes information on its business development.
The generally challenging economic situation has also reached the model railway industry. The significant high from pandemic times has levelled off at a pre-corona level. In addition, customers are generally reluctant to buy. Florian Sieber, Managing Partner of Märklin, is nevertheless optimistic: ‘We are satisfied with the sales of 130.4 million euros for the 2023/2024 financial year. At 121.8 million euros, the developments for the current financial year have so far been restrained - but they were foreseeable in view of the current situation after the pandemic period with increased figures and the economic challenges. Retailers have reported good sales in the 2024 Christmas season, which gives us a positive outlook for the future. Demand-oriented product development has proven its worth for Märklin. By participating in around 30 events, we will remain close to our customers in 2025 and have confidence in the outstanding performance of our development and production departments. We will also be launching a spectacular theme from the music scene in 2025, setting new signals.’
Investments
Märklin once again invested in the development of numerous new products in 2024. Further investments were spread across the following company projects:
At the Göppingen plant:
• New CNC lathe for gear wheel production
• New heating system
• Purchase of a new combined heat and power unit
• Investment in two colouring machines
• Installation of further photovoltaic systems with a total output of approx. 300 kW
• Investments in IT: software and SAP S4 Hana
and in the Hungarian plant:
• Investment in an air-heat pump to utilise waste heat from production
• Investment in two CNC colouring machines
• Energy-efficient refurbishment of parts of the building
Märklin Days 2025 and International Model Railway Exhibition IMA in Göppingen
From 19 to 21 September 2025, the industry will once again celebrate the IMA, the international model railway exhibition with the Märklin Days in Göppingen. Around 60,000 visitors are expected to attend the big railway festival.
In addition to the trade fair with international exhibitors and visitors, Märklin invites visitors to take a look behind the scenes at its main factory. A special sale will entice visitors with coveted locomotives and carriages at attractive prices.
‘A very special highlight,’ says Florian Sieber, ’will once again be the historic locomotives at Göppingen railway station. The huge steam locomotives will be puffing away impressively during this autumn weekend, delighting visitors of all ages.’
Christmas time is Märklin time
Märklin Marketing Manager Jörg Iske was delighted with the excellent reviews of the Märklin Christmas campaign 2024 with the claim ‘Märklin connects generations’ and a video under the motto ‘Surprise’: ‘The comments and the distribution on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok confirmed our decision. The good initial pack sales at the participating retail partners were pleasing.
Märklin rocks the rails
A few weeks ago, the model railway company succeeded in concluding a promising licence. Florian Sieber is looking forward to the co-operation with one of the most successful bands of all time: ‘AC/DC has been shaping the music world for decades. Their unmistakable heavy metal sound has inspired generations. We are now bringing this passion and energy to the rails. The highlight of the new collection is a locomotive - inspired by the Black ICE World Tour 2008-2010, during which this oversized locomotive was on stage. We will be presenting the ́Märklin meets AC/DC Rock n ́Roll Train ́ for the first time at Intermodellbau in Dortmund in April.’
Message Wagons
Märklin has been successfully addressing a new target group internationally since 2021 - with Art Toys. The ‘Märklin Message Wagons’ series was created on the basis of works by important artists. The wagons can be exhibited, but can also be used on a model railway layout. The first ‘Märklin Message Wagons’ honoured the artists Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Vincent van Gogh. ‘In spring 2025, we will present a new highlight of our strictly limited edition models and surprise our art-loving fans with street art by international artists who have a special affinity with the railway theme,’ says Florian Sieber.
Märklin at the Spielwarenmesse
When the Spielwarenmesse opens its doors in Nuremberg on 28 January 2025, Märklin will also be there again. The model railway manufacturer will be presenting its new products in Hall 7 until 1 February 2025: the company from Göppingen has 254 new items for railway fans in its range: 134 from Märklin, 50 from Trix, 44 from Minitrix and 26 from LGB.
www.maerklin.de