Page 41 - TPM Issue2

Company Focus

I asked Gerhard if there were any other moments over the years which
particularly stood out for him and he told me about a visit to Bauma. He
recalls a meeting with JCB where no negotiations were needed. JCB were
desperate to have a model produced and NZG got the order for 15000
pieces of the JCB 3C MkII backhoe loader which was developed in
1:35th scale.

Things have certainly changed over the years and today, model
manufacturers are lucky if they can get orders of more than a few thousand
pieces, showing that the requirement for models by OEMs has dwindled
over the years. There is still a wide range of models produced each year,
as this year’s Bauma show will attest, with over 50 new models alone
produced this year and collectors are still adding to their collections, be it
the latest OEM model, or a specific special painted release, of which
many have been produced by NZG over the years.

NZG are certainly a global player when it comes to the production of
die-cast scale models of construction equipment. The company has
changed over the years to meet the demands of the marketplace, including
the move to China which started around 1995 when NZG began
Above: The workers canteen in the basement has been converted into a production of its range of historic models which were developed and
museum room, displaying examples of all the models ever made
produced at a model producing factory in China. In 2003, NZG took
the decision to outsource all production to China and closed their tooling,
manufacturing and paint shop facilities at the Sigmundstrasse site.
Their current product range and development still focuses on construction
machinery and trucks in 1:50th scale however, they are also developing
other product lines including lifting platforms, crane & road construction
models, historical models and larger scale releases including the new
range of 1:18th scale vehicle models which include the Mercedes Benz
Actros, Volkswagen T6 Transporter, a 3-axle container trailer and a car
Left: transporter trailer with further 1:18th scale models in development. One
Some of the more
interesting “Special moment of note is that NZG has produced over 1000 different projects
Finish” models that over their 50-year history and will hopefully continue to produce more of
NZG has produced. the models we all love well into the future.

Above:
The newly introduced range of 1:18th scale vehicle models is
a move away from the 1:50th scale construction line and has
been received with interest by collectors and industry.

Part of the The Clubhouse Unimog snow The VW T6 The clubhouse NZG reach a
NZG factory in replaced the theatre blower awarded awarded expanded, milestone of 1000
Sigmundstrasse was school, a bar / MBMC model “Modell Fahrzeug taking more of different models
converted and used restaurant with of the tear. des Jahres”. the former produced.
for a dancing and indoor golf facilities. production space.
theatre school.

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Winter 2019 - TPMMW Magazine 41