Maker record
Mettoy
Mettoy was a British toy maker based in Northampton. From the 1930s it produced pressed-metal and tinplate toys, including clockwork vehicles; after the Second World War it expanded into Swansea and developed plastic toys and die-cast models. Its best-known vehicle range was Corgi, launched in 1956 with die-cast cars featuring plastic windows. Mettoy toys also included lithographed tinplate cars with working clockwork mechanisms, part of the company's early production.
- Founded
- 1932
- Final year
- 1983
- Countries
- England
- Locations
- Northampton, England
- Founders
- Philip Ullmann · Arthur Katz
The story of Mettoy
Mettoy Company Ltd. was founded in the United Kingdom in the early 1930s by Philip Ullmann and Arthur Katz, who had worked in the toy trade in Nuremberg. Production began in Northampton in 1934, making lithographed tinplate toys, some with clockwork motors. During the Second World War the company switched to war supplies. After the war it expanded production to Swansea, Wales, and developed new manufacturing processes and plastic toys.
In 1956 Mettoy launched its Corgi range of die-cast toy cars. The models had plastic windows, distinguishing them from contemporary die-cast rivals. Corgi expanded through the 1960s, while Mettoy also introduced the smaller-scale Husky range. Mettoy diversified into an agreement to produce Fisher-Price toys for European distribution. Trading ceased in 1983.
