News

HM’s Hallie Koontz 
got her game on at the annual trade show for 
the gaming world.

Keith takes a look at 
new kits from Atlantis, AMT, and Tamiya

More than 2,000 exhibitors—including a few U.S. companies—participated in the 75th annual Spielwarenmesse Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany. Nearly 60,000 trade visitors from 121 nations explored new trends, fresh formats, and networking opportunities.

Despite ongoing geopolitical challenges, the industry mood was upbeat. Of the exhibitors, 93%—3 percentage points higher than last year—rated their participation as successful. Adam Wolter, president of Enkay Products, was one of the few American companies with a booth in the massive exhibit halls. He contributed his thoughts on the experience after returning home.

An early Märklin hand-painted musical carousel knocked down for $120,000, and a circa-1912-1915 Marklin Series II clockwork-driven model of the “Battleship Brooklyn” achieved $90,000, at 
Bertoia’s recent auction of the Martin and 
Deborah Maloy Collection.

HobbyTown Augusta, Georgia, is moving to a new, larger store, the second time in three years that the store has outgrown its current 
location. Owner Dusty Germo said the new location “will help us 
keep better inventory and give us the ability to get orders, special 
orders, and products faster.” In preparation for the move, merchandise was marked down 50%, and shelves, office furniture, and other store fixtures were offered for sale as well.

Dumas Products in Tucson, Arizona, announced it will close its doors on May 15, 2026. The company will 
process orders until April 15.
Al Dumas founded the company in Milwaukee in 1946 to produce model boat kits. The company was sold and moved several times until the Brandon family took over in the early 60s. The Brandon family brought out 
new boat kits and acquired model airplane designs and production equipment. At one point, the company offered more than 100 boat kits.

HobbyTown has announced it will open three new stores in the greater Houston market: Spring, The Woodlands, and Katy, Texas. The franchise company advertised on LinkedIn for team members 
to fill positions in the stores, including store managers. 
The first store to open will be in Spring, Texas. Currently, HobbyTown has nine stores in Texas, including the San Antonio location that opened in early 2024.

Hornby, the venerable model railway company which also sells toy planes and cars under the Airfix and Corgi brands, has sold the 
Scalextric business and intellectual property rights to Purbeck 
Capital Partners for nearly $27 million.

Bandai Namco Holdings has raised its consolidated forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, citing stronger-than-expected 
performance in its Toys and Hobby Business and Digital Business, as well as robust monetization of key IP, particularly the Gundam series.

Fast Track Hobbies in Rocklin, California, was voted Best of the Best Hobby Shop in Rocklin and Roseville by the readers of Gold Mountain News Media. “We had an amazing time celebrating, and between the delicious appetizers and the great conversations with fellow winners, 
it was a night to remember,” said owner Dwight Adamson.

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is working with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to clarify the impact on the hobby industry of a regulation that adds all uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS)

Hitec has signed world-renowned driver Ryan Cavalieri to a sponsorship deal. With years of success, including four IFMAR World Championship titles, 30 ROAR National titles, four Reedy Invitational titles