The model railway manufacturer Roco from Bergheim (Flachgau) has increased its sales mainly because of the corona pandemic. Because during the lockdowns, not only have many model railroaders rediscovered their love for the hobby, new customers have also arrived internationally.
13.02.2022 08.30
Online since today, 8.30 a.m
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Since the 1960s, the small trains from Salzburg have been a fixture in the international toy trade. The fact that the models of mobile phones, computers and the like were almost supplanted has now changed the corona virus completely. In the home office, many people would have rediscovered the hobby. “We are now seeing that a great many people have started again, a great many people are playing again, above all,” explained Roco Managing Director Tassilo Gruber.
More players than collectors
You can also see that in the proportion that the digital products that are marketed with the locomotives are now around two thirds. And that is a clear indication that there are more players than collectors, says Gruber. The turnover of the model railway specialist from Bergheim, with plants in Gloggnitz, Slovakia, Romania and Vietnam, has climbed by 40 percent to 70 million euros in the past three years.
Above all, digital innovations make the small railways interesting again. “We’re including more and more technology, are becoming even more detailed, finer and have more functions,” explained designer Philipp Pötzelsberger. The current general lack of computer chips also affects Roco.
Model railway manufacturer Roco benefited from the crisis
During the lockdowns, not only did many model railroaders rediscover their love for this hobby, but also new international customers.
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Shortage of skilled workers increases cooperation with technical colleges and universities
The managing director was more worried about the job market. The search for specialists is difficult to tedious, managing director Tassilo Gruber would like to see many more applications. “Here, too, we are in a position – like many other companies – that it is difficult for us to find skilled workers. And we are intensifying our cooperation with technical colleges and universities.”
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