Page 6 - TPM Issue4

Latest Model News

With the current worldwide Covid-19 virus taking centre-stage at the
moment, in collaboration with Laster & Bagger (Truck & Construction) magazine,
we reached out to model manufacturers and put these questions to them:

1
Can you continue your business/production during the current conditions and how are you making
this possible?
2
With what kind of delays should we expect for the new releases announced at the beginning of
2020 (Nuremberg Toy Fair)?
3
Even though it is very difficult to do at the moment, do you dare to look ahead to the time after
the crisis? Do you think there will be a fundamental change or upheaval in the industry?

We would like to thank interviewees sincerely for taking the time to respond, despite the difficult
times we are in.

Christine Conrad, Managing Director, Conrad

Right from the beginning, we implemented the legislated measures such as distancing, rules for hygiene and so on.
1
To protect every single worker even more we took further action customized to our company. Also, to address concerns
around the Corona virus and realizing that delivery at many places is not feasible, we adapted our procedures and
throttled down our production.
2
This depends on the time frame and restrictions designed to curb the spread of the Corona Pandemic as mandated by
the German Federal government. It is not possible to speculate as to how long delays will last.
3
Discerning the future is very difficult currently because it is possible that fundamental changes in the behaviors of the
collecting community will occur. These depend very much on the time frame it will take for citizens to recover from the
economic slow-down. The most important thing, however, is that everybody stays healthy and overcomes this
pandemic well.

Michael Ludwig, Managing Director, NZG
1
Following the Chinese New Year, our production in China has (almost) ramped up to 100% and we anxiously await
the timely shipping of the models; unfortunately, some delays are expected. A completely different matter is our
administrative headquarters in Nuremberg. At the moment, it is difficult to reach the necessary contact persons and
to meet for new model developments and discussions about models or to process customers’ orders.
2
Overall, we do not expect major delays of new models because we can catch up by using increased manpower.
The larger problems are the current orders for models and the delays in production which means that we have a
‘small’ bump time-wise resulting in a delay of three to four months.
3
Certainly, it will take some time to overcome the shock and until the purchasing pattern normalizes and that depends
on the collector’s desires. All is overshadowed by economic conditions which have impacted every one individually.
However, we do not believe that in general, our industrial customers can afford to give up on the promotional medium
of models. Perhaps not in the usual quantity and variety ordered, but ‘appetite stimulants’ for collecting will remain.

Joris Gielen, Director of Marketing, IMC
1
Currently, we work with a smaller team so that we can guarantee their safety and health. Despite these necessary
changes, we are seeing only small production delays. We are still making good progress but it takes just a little
bit more time.
2
There is not yet a delay for models under development because much of this work is done by individuals who can work
from home.
A crisis in the construction sector could lead to a retrenchment of new models being offered. It could also be a positive
3
development and the beginning of an online modernization. We are lucky in our knowledge that in good as in bad
times, there is always room for the hobby.

6 TPMMW Magazine - Summer 2020