Merrythought facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  |
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| Private limited company | |
| Industry | Toy manufacturer |
| Fate | Operating |
| Founded | Ironbridge (1930) |
| Founder | Gordon Holmes and George H. Laxton |
| Headquarters | Ironbridge, Shropshire |
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Area served
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Worldwide (principal markets: UK and Japan) |
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Key people
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Gordon, Trayton, Oliver, Sarah and Hannah Holmes |
| Products | Stuffed toys, notably teddy bears |
| Owner | Holmes family |
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Number of employees
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25 |
Merrythought is a famous toy company from the United Kingdom. It started making toys in 1930. The company is known for its soft toys, especially teddy bears. Merrythought has been hand-making traditional teddy bears in Ironbridge, England, since it began. Ironbridge is a special place known as a World Heritage Site.
The Merrythought factory in Ironbridge has a small museum and a shop. Visitors can see where the toys are made. The factory building used to be an iron workshop. It sits by the River Severn, close to the famous Iron Bridge. This area is part of the wider Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.
The company's name, Merrythought, might come from an old word for "wishbone." A wishbone has been the company's symbol since 1930.
Contents
The History of Merrythought Bears
Merrythought was started in 1930 by Gordon Holmes and George H. Laxton. Their first toy catalog came out in 1931. The company hired talented people like AC Janisch, who handled sales. They also hired Clifton James Rendle and Florence May Attwood from another toy company. Florence Attwood designed Merrythought's first toys, including the "Magnet" teddy bear.
One of Merrythought's most famous bears was "Mr Whoppit." This bear was the lucky charm for Donald Campbell, a record-breaker in land and water speed. Merrythought first made bears based on the "Woppit" character from the Robin comic in 1956.
The company first rented rooms in Wellington, then moved to Coalbrookdale. In February 1931, Merrythought moved to its current home in Ironbridge. The business grew quickly, even during tough economic times. By 1935, the Ironbridge site was the biggest soft toy factory in Britain. By 1939, over 200 people worked there.
During World War II, the factory was used by the British Navy for making maps. Merrythought moved its operations to Wellington and made items for the war effort. The company returned to its Ironbridge site in 1946. The oldest factory building was built in 1898, and more buildings were added as the company grew.
Gordon Holmes' son, Trayton Holmes, joined the company in 1949. Later, Trayton's son, Oliver Holmes, joined in 1972 and became the managing director. In 1957, the popular "Cheeky" bear was first made. This design is still produced today. Merrythought also bought the Farnell toy brand in 1996. In 2001, they made a special "Hope Bear" to raise money for a disaster fund.
In the 2000s, Merrythought faced challenges from cheaper toys made in other countries. The company decided to focus on its traditional, handmade mohair teddy bears. These bears were what Merrythought was most famous for since the 1930s. From 2007 to 2010, another company made the bears in the Ironbridge factory. However, Merrythought brought production back in-house in 2010. All Merrythought teddy bears are still 100% handmade in England.
Oliver Holmes passed away in 2011. His eldest daughter, Sarah, took over running the company. Soon after, her younger sister Hannah joined her. They are the fourth generation of the Holmes family to lead the company. Sarah and Hannah Holmes are now joint managing directors.
Merrythought has won several awards. In 2011, they received the Supplier Award from the famous London store Fortnum & Mason. They also won a National Red Ribbon Family Business Award for being innovative. Sarah Holmes won an award for her outstanding contribution to the business.
Merrythought Today
Today, Merrythought still uses traditional methods and materials like mohair to make its toys. They create a special range of handmade toys for collectors. The Holmes family continues to run the business. Sarah Holmes and Hannah Holmes are now in charge. All four owners of the company are members of the Holmes family.
The current range includes classic and collectable teddy bears. This includes their famous "Punkinhead" (from 1948) and "Cheeky" (from 1956) bears. Many of these are special designs made in limited numbers, usually between 75 and 200 bears. New designs are released regularly. Recent special bears have celebrated events like the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Merrythought bears are popular all over the world, especially in Japan. There, Merrythought bears have a "cult following" of dedicated fans. The company's products are sold globally.
You can see old and new Merrythought toys at the small shop and museum in Ironbridge. It is open every day and is free to visit.
Merrythought Village
Some parts of the Merrythought factory site are now rented out to other businesses. This area is called the Merrythought Village. It includes the Merrythought factory, museum, and shop. Other businesses there include Ironbridge Interiors, Crystal Labyrinth, and Ironbridge Fine Arts and Framing. A Co-op supermarket also opened at the Village in December 2014. The historic name for the site is the Dale End Works.
Merrythought and the 2012 Olympics
In 2011, Merrythought was chosen to make the official teddy bears for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This was a big honor for the company. They created a range of limited edition bears, with 2,012 of each design. Bears were also made for the Paralympic Games and the British Olympic team. All these special Olympic bears were handmade at the Merrythought factory in Ironbridge.
Special Edition Bears
Merrythought often releases 'Special Edition bears' in limited numbers. In July 2013, to celebrate the birth of Prince George, they released a special bear. Other members of the Royal Family also own Merrythought toys. The Queen received a Merrythought corgi in 1952. Prince Charles was given a special hippo in 1982. The Queen Mother, Prince William, and Zara Phillips also have custom-made bears.
Another special bear was "Heathcliff" from 2004. Only 100 of these bears were made. They were unusual because they had black mohair instead of the usual gold color.
Images for kids
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A limited edition "Henry" teddy bear, made in 2011 with brindle-grey hair
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An "Ironbridge Gold" teddy bear, one of the company's regular designs, made around 2010
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Iron railings with metal teddy bear heads, outside the "Merrythought Village"
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Another section of teddy bear railings
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An outside view of some of the buildings at the Merrythought site
