Hornby Sells Scalextric Brand

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.

Hornby has owned Scalextric since 1968. Invented by Fred Francis, the very first Scalextric set was made in Hampshire in 1956. Hornby, which dates back to 1901 and produced its first model train set in 1920, said the proceeds of the sale would be used to pay down debt and invest in its other brands. The company said it would manage the Scalextric business as an agent and support it through its existing infrastructure.