Maker record
Co-Ma
Co-Ma was an Italian plastics and toy maker based in Milan. It began by moulding plastic for pharmaceutical packaging and stationery, then used that expertise to make toys and model kits. Its products included toy soldiers, science-fiction figures, miniature buildings for railway layouts, aircraft kits, miniature furniture and vehicles. The Edilmec line offered HO-scale building kits, while Aermec sold plastic aircraft kits in several scales. Co-Ma also made ships, toy weapons, children’s musical instruments and table games.
- Founded
- 1945
- Locations
- Unknown
- Founders
- Cortesi · Mauri
The story of Co-Ma
Co-Ma began in Milan in 1950, founded by engineers Cortesi and Mauri. Its name combined the opening syllables of their surnames. The company initially moulded plastics for pharmaceutical packaging and stationery. In 1951 it patented Poliglas, a thermoplastic material, and then applied its plastics expertise to toys. Early products included toy soldiers and science-fiction figures called Seleniti. Although Co-Ma registered the Intertoys name in 1959, it marketed its toys under its own name.
In 1963 Co-Ma introduced Edilmec plastic building kits for HO railway layouts. Aermec aircraft kits followed in 1964, offered in several scales, and Mobilmec produced miniature furniture. The company also made toy ships, vehicles, weapons, musical instruments and table games; its products appeared in Rinascente catalogues in the 1960s. Later ranges included toys for young children, miniature household goods and electrically operated construction vehicles. By the late 1970s, Co-Ma had added mechanical and electronic features to some toys and was using ABS. In 1989 the company and mark were transferred to Cavallino Giocattoli. The mark continued in use under the acquiring company before being phased out.