 | |
| Formerly | Playmates Industrial |
|---|---|
| Company type | Public |
| SEHK: 869 | |
| Industry | Toy industry |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Founder | Sam Chan Tai-ho |
| Headquarters | , China |
Key people | To Shu Sing (chairman) |
| Website | playmatestoys.com |
Playmates Toys Limited is a Hong Kong toy company. The company was founded in Hong Kong in 1966 by Sam Chan Tai-ho as Playmates Industrial, manufacturing dolls for other companies.[1] In 1975, Playmates began marketing their own line of pre-school toys, and in 1977 opened an American subsidiary in Boston. Another subsidiary was founded in California in 1983; in 1984 the company went public.[2]
The company's first big success was in 1986, with the marketing of a tape-playing, electronic robot doll named Cricket.[2] In 1989, the company marketed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures which sold extremely well.[2] Success of the two led to a golden era from 1990 to early 1993.[3] In 1990, Sales reached US$4.13 billion and net profit HK$1.21 billion.[3] In 1995 the company suffered a loss of HK$97.59 million.[3]