"Scalextric was first introduced in 1957 by inventor Fred Francis and quickly became a staple of British toy cupboards, allowing families to race miniature cars around electric tracks at home. Production was later moved to Hornby's Margate factory, where the brand became synonymous with hands-on motorsport fun for generations."
"As we look to a long-term future, with Scalextric as a now family-owned company, we are energised by the opportunity to continue bringing competitive racing fun to families, while expanding into new areas of motorsport. He added that the brand also has scope to promote physical play and hand-eye coordination at a time when many families are seeking to balance screen time with real-world activities."
Hornby, a Margate-based toy maker backed by Frasers Group founder Mike Ashley, has sold the iconic Scalextric slot car racing brand to family-owned investment vehicle Purbeck Capital Partners for £20 million. The transaction includes upfront and deferred payments, with proceeds directed toward debt reduction and investment in remaining portfolio brands including Airfix and model railway operations. Scalextric, introduced in 1957 by inventor Fred Francis, became a British cultural staple for generations. Purbeck Capital is led by Mark Brown, former CEO of US spirits company Sazerac. Brown expressed enthusiasm for expanding Scalextric into new motorsport areas while promoting physical play and hand-eye coordination as families seek alternatives to screen-based entertainment.
#toy-industry-ma #scalextric-brand-acquisition #hornby-strategic-restructuring #british-heritage-brands
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