whtchevy
LOOKING AROUND
If It Rolls It Rocks
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Post by whtchevy on Dec 2, 2011 17:04:02 GMT -6
Members
368 posts
Location:New Jersey USA
Full Name:Larry A. Greenberg
Posted Today, 04:51 PM
SOUTH BEND, Indiana – 11/30/2011 –Round 2, LLC, announced today that they have acquired
all rights to industry leading model kit brands AMT, MPC and Polar Lights from TOMY
International, Inc. (formerly RC2 Corporation).
Round 2 acquired the brands from TOMY International after manufacturing branded model kits under a licensing agreement since 2008. “We’ve had a great relationship with TOMY
International for a long time and it has been a pleasure working with them as a licensee and
now as a buyer,” said Thomas Lowe, President of Round 2 LLC.
“We feel extremely fortunate to be acquiring these brands,” continued Lowe. “These are some
of the industry’s most iconic brands and our acquisition represents a significant strategic fit with
our initiatives and where we believe the industry is headed, in the near and long term. This deal
is a win for Round 2, TOMY and most importantly, the modelers.”
“We are pleased to have been working with Round 2 as a licensee the last 3 years, and now as
the buyer,” said Pete Henseler, president of TOMY International. “We wish them continued
success in the model kit business and expect their expertise and passion for the hobby model
kit business to drive these brands in the years ahead.”
The history of the model kit brands goes back as far as 1948 when AMT, which stands for
Aluminum Model Toys, was founded as a promotional toy company. Model Products
Corporation, MPC, was started in 1963 and focused on bringing even more automotive subject
matter to market in kit form. Founded in 1996, Polar Lights has focused on figural, horror and
pop culture genres.
The acquisition gives Round 2 tooling and materials that date back into the 1950s. The tooling
and artwork also represent an opportunity to bring back classic model kits in original-styled
packaging, increasing the desirability and nostalgia.
“I grew up building models. Not in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined I’d someday
own the brands I was building as a kid,” said Lowe.
About Round 2
Round 2, LLC is an innovative collectibles company located in South Bend, IN. The creative
team at Round 2 is dedicated to producing detailed, high quality collectible and playable items
appealing to the young and young at heart. Round 2 brands include Polar Lights®, AMT® and
MPC® model kits, Auto World® slot cars, Forever Fun™ seasonal products and the licensed
brands American Muscle®, Ertl Collectibles® and Vintage Fuel™ die cast.
Cheers,
Larry A. Greenberg
Feature Writer and Columnist
MODEL CARS Magazine
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monaro
GETTING STARTED
Posts: 166
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Post by monaro on Dec 2, 2011 19:44:18 GMT -6
I thought that they bought these brands before. But they released a lot of good stuff as licensees cannot see what they do now they own them all. Great news.
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Post by HammerHead on Dec 9, 2011 9:59:42 GMT -6
I sure hope it's good news.  |
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Post by HammerHead on Dec 10, 2011 8:51:34 GMT -6
I have yet to have a round 2 kit. I am sure I will soon enough .
HH
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whtchevy
LOOKING AROUND
If It Rolls It Rocks
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
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Post by whtchevy on Dec 10, 2011 10:17:34 GMT -6
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hotrodmodeler
SETTLING IN
Neighborhood Watch
If it isn't FUN....It is NOT worth DOING!!!!
Posts: 235
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Post by hotrodmodeler on Dec 10, 2011 14:56:48 GMT -6
Sounds like it possibly can be a GOOD THING.
Hoping that they will drag out some OLD tooling and start reiisuing those OLDIE kits.
We as a forum should look at writing letters to them and requesting the kits we would like to see. And also ask for a list of thier tooling, "if they would give out that info."
What does everyone think of a letter writing "BLITZKRIEG"??
8-)RICK
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monaro
GETTING STARTED
Posts: 166
Likes: 3
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Post by monaro on Dec 10, 2011 21:29:06 GMT -6
I have contacted Round2 a number of times and they listen to their customers and have always replied to me. I list would be interesting to see.
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Post by HammerHead on Dec 11, 2011 9:56:00 GMT -6
Well if you guys like it, I like it  HH |
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Post by BUCKY on Feb 3, 2012 1:36:55 GMT -6
I know they will reissue a lot of the same kits that the other owners have done down through the years. It's how they pay the bills. I just hope they can make enough money to come up with some new kits, as well as refresh some of the old molds that haven't been reissued since I was a lad!! The '68 Dodge Coronet SuperBee convertible comes to mind, as do the mid-sixties Ford pickup kits!!
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Post by kustombuilder1 on Feb 8, 2012 16:16:53 GMT -6
I'm looking forward to some of the van kits, of which they have released the Chevy van. I would also like to see the Ford and Dodge vans too. Of course, AMT and MPC has had so many good releases over the last 40 years that a full list would take up too much space here.
Some of the most notable I would like to see re-released are also:
Dodge fleetside long bed pickup, any of the '70s models.
The AMC Pacer '76-'78.
The late-'70s Nova kit(s).
The '74 and '76 Road Runners.
The '85 Mustang SVO.
The '82 Bronco kit.
The '63 Corvette split-window coupe.
And the '76 Caprice, as well as some of the MPC-tooled aircraft kits.
Thanks for listening!!
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Post by BUCKY on Feb 8, 2012 22:40:23 GMT -6
The Caprice is available now. Here are the re-issues I'd like to see:
'59 Buick hardtop and convertible
'68 Dodge Coronet SuperBee hardtop and convertible
Any Imperial from '60 to '66
'67 Cougar
'68 and '69 Impala SS hardtop and convertible
'67 and '68 Ford Galaxie hardtop and convertible
'71 Dodge Demon
'72 Plymouth Road Runner
Any Ford pickup from the '60s and '70s
To be continued when I think of some more!!
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