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Bburago

Milan, Italy (February, 2006)
MAY CHEONG ACQUIRES ASSETS OF BBURAGO
May Cheong has officially confirmed the purchase of the assets of Bburago through G. Invest S.R.L., an affiliated
company, from a bankruptcy court in Italy. Terms and price of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Bburago, founded in Italy in 1974, made a name for themselves as a superior manufacturer of die cast model
cars with a fine relationship between quality and price in both toy and collectors markets. They were the first diecast
manufacturer to reproduce cars in 1:18 scale. Bburago models have been manufactured primarily in 3 scales
(1:18 / 1:24 / 1:43).
The court in Milan, Italy had attempted to sell off the assets of the die-cast replica and toy manufacturer ever
since the company filed for bankruptcy in October of last year. Several companies were reported interested in
purchasing the tools, inventory, and naming rights to the popular company.
“The purchase allows us to strengthen our position in the die-cast replica, kit, and toy categories throughout the
world,” said Katherine Ngan, owner and Vice President of May Cheong. “We have always respected the quality,
design, and stature of Bburago, and we look forward to marketing the brand to collectors for many years to
come.” The company did confirm Bburago would be branded and marketed independent from their existing diecast
brands.
May Cheong is a vertically integrated manufacturer based in Hong Kong. The company has been manufacturing
die cast replicas and toys for over 30 years, have over 10,000 employees worldwide and manufacturing facilities
covering over 5,000,000 square feet.

G. Invest S.R.L., a May Cheong Company,
Via Privata Maria Teresa, 11, Milan Italy 20123 T 039-60 861 W www.bburago.com

After more the 40 years in the diecast model business Bburago will live on.  I have used Bburago models as bases for my customised models for years, with the absence of these I am faced with a problem. Hot Wheels models are very similar to Bburago in the level of detail but are expensive compared to Maisto and I have always considered Maisto models to good to mess with. It will be very interesting to see what happens with the Bburago models and moulds and what Maisto will do with them. The following is  a short history of Bburago.

The Bburago company was located in northern  Italy. It settled in the small place "Burago Molgora" in the proximity of Milan.
The additive "Molgora" comes by the way from the river Molgora on which Burago lies. Second B in the name Bburago stands for Mario B esana, the firm founder. It started in 1966 in Milan with the company Mebetoys , who manufactured miniature models made of metal in the sizes 1:43 and 1:25. It sold Mebetoys 1973 to the American toy company Mattel. But after short break Mario Esanait came together with some his former co-workers to create Martoys.
 
I

Here some examples from the Mebetoys production

 

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 1977 appeared the first 1:18 model: The roll Royce Camargue. It was manufactured in different colour variants until 1990 and today is sort after as they are rare pieces.

(This is not completely true because  the original base plate showed it to be 1:22)

 

 

 1982 (until today) the series of "4100" 1:43 a line with innumerable colour and sticker variants
The somewhat toyful working vehicles all have one peculiar similarity : They possess without exception  much to broad tires with identical rims.

 1982 (until today) formula racing car series of "Grand Prix" in 1:24

It was a cheap version of the normal 1:24 series and differed mainly by other stickers and by yellow rims.

 

 

 1988 saw the 1:18  premiere of the Ferrari F 40.
An unparalleled speculation on these models is expected with mint condition boxed models demanding up to $100. Not a bad investment for a $30 model! 
(Bburago's 1:18 model of the F 40 sold over 3 million pieces. Why did you not keep the box!!!!)

1994 Bburago buys the moulds and tools of the Italian competitor Polistil .

 

 

1997 (until today) formula racing car series of "Formula" in 1:24 This complex built series consists at present of 3 "Schumacher Ferrari". I resently missed out on one for $15

 

1998 the new series "poison Collection" created in November. In a decorative large case there were 3 thematically fitting models united. 1 model in 1:18 and 2 models in 1:24

 

1998 the "new Beetle" comes

 

1999 Bburago celebrates its 25-year old firm anniversary.

 

June 1999 The first BBurago catalog on a Multimedia CD appears. It contains complete contents the 99 year anniversary catalog.

Bburago had one of the most modern production plants with many of the work procedures fully automatic. The models are actually only taken into the hand for applying the stickers .

By economical manufacturing processes and mass production to top quality standards, Bburago successfully competes  against asiatic cheap wages despite a European manufacturing plant.

Bburago manufactures (all series together) per day 15,000 to 20,000 model cars.

Again new Bburago selling structure:
Starting from 1/7/2004 the Bburago distributing organization Bburago Germany GmbH in Pirmasens stops  their activities  and the DICKIE SCHUCO GmbH & CO kg in Fuerth becomes the new selling partner for Germany.

In Canada the Distributor company becomes Dynatech. 

2005  Australias exclusive distrivbuter finds that they have an unannounced rival at a toy fair. Also that the rival has access to stock they were denighed. 

2006 Hear say that Bburago is bankrupt and that Maisto has bought the plans tools and moulds.

There were rumors about the bankrupt firm Bburago being purchased by Maisto, Maisto has confirmed this purchase via the press release below:

Milan, Italy (February, 2006)
MAY CHEONG ACQUIRES ASSETS OF BBURAGO
May Cheong has officially confirmed the purchase of the assets of Bburago through G. Invest S.R.L., an affiliated
company, from a bankruptcy court in Italy. Terms and price of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Bburago, founded in Italy in 1974, made a name for themselves as a superior manufacturer of die cast model
cars with a fine relationship between quality and price in both toy and collectors markets. They were the first diecast
manufacturer to reproduce cars in 1:18 scale. Bburago models have been manufactured primarily in 3 scales
(1:18 / 1:24 / 1:43).
The court in Milan, Italy had attempted to sell off the assets of the die-cast replica and toy manufacturer ever
since the company filed for bankruptcy in October of last year. Several companies were reported interested in
purchasing the tools, inventory, and naming rights to the popular company.
“The purchase allows us to strengthen our position in the die-cast replica, kit, and toy categories throughout the
world,” said Katherine Ngan, owner and Vice President of May Cheong. “We have always respected the quality,
design, and stature of Bburago, and we look forward to marketing the brand to collectors for many years to
come.” The company did confirm Bburago would be branded and marketed independent from their existing diecast
brands.
May Cheong is a vertically integrated manufacturer based in Hong Kong. The company has been manufacturing
die cast replicas and toys for over 30 years, have over 10,000 employees worldwide and manufacturing facilities
covering over 5,000,000 square feet.

G. Invest S.R.L., a May Cheong Company,
Via Privata Maria Teresa, 11, Milan Italy 20123 T 039-60 861 W www.bburago.com