NZG Models facts for kids
| Founded | 1968 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Gerhard Schmid Betty Hauer |
| Headquarters | |
| Products | Diecast scale models cars, trucks, construction vehicles |
Nürnberger Zinkdruckguß-Modelle GmbH, known as NZG, is a German company. It makes detailed diecast scale models. These models are mostly of heavy transport and construction vehicles. They are often made in a 1:50 scale.
NZG models are used as toys and also as special promotional items. Big companies like Caterpillar use them to show off their real machines. The company is located in Nuremberg, Germany. NZG also made models of cars, jet engines, aircraft, and even stamping presses. Another company that makes similar models is Conrad Models.
Contents
History of NZG Models
How NZG Started
NZG Modelle was started in 1968. The founders were Gerhard Schmid and Betty Hauer. They began their business on the second floor of a furniture company. Soon, they moved to a much larger space. This new place was about 930 square meters.
The very first model NZG made was a Weserhutte wheeled crane. This happened in the same year they started. By 1974, NZG already had at least 30 different models. Since then, NZG has created over 700 different models. Today, the company produces more than 400,000 models every year.
Who Runs NZG Today
In 1986, Inge Ludwig and Hannelore Hauer took over the company. Inge Ludwig is the daughter of one of the founders, Gerhard Schmid. By 2000, the Ludwig family fully owned NZG. Today, Inge and Michael Ludwig are in charge of the company.
Model Sizes NZG Makes
NZG creates models in several different sizes. These sizes are called scales. They make models in 1:25, 1:50, and 1:87 scales. They also make commercial vehicle models in 1:43 scale. If a company wants a special model made, NZG usually needs an order of at least 300 pieces.
More Than Just Toys
NZG is known for making many types of heavy equipment models. These include small hand pallet movers and large dump trucks. They also make forklifts, scissors lifts, and excavators. Sometimes, they even create models of engines and other machinery.
These models are very detailed and can be delicate. They are not simple toys. Instead, they are very accurate copies of real machines. Many different brands are represented by NZG models. Some of these include MAN, Volvo, Caterpillar, and Liebherr. Large NZG trucks can be quite expensive. Most models usually cost between US $50 and US $150.
Detailed Car Models
NZG also made very precise car models. They often created replicas of Porsches and Mercedes-Benzes. These were frequently used as promotional models by car dealerships. You could often see NZG Mercedes models in simple silver boxes with blue markings.
Most of these car models were in 1:43 scale. Some were larger, like certain Mercedes coupes in 1:35 scale. The bottom of these models often said "Made in the Federal Republic of Germany." There were also stickers warning that the models were "not toys and not for children."
NZG produced most of its car models in the 1980s and 1990s. They also made various van models during the 1990s. It seems they stopped making cars around 2002. The company then focused more on trucks and construction vehicles.
NZG cars were very detailed and realistic. Their quality was similar to other famous model companies. The doors, hood, and trunk usually opened. The car bodies looked exactly like the real ones. They used clear plastic for headlights, not toy-like jewels. NZG was also good at adding tiny chrome details. These details included small emblems and grille parts. Wheels were designed to match each car, often with brand logos. Even though their cars were excellent, NZG's main focus was always trucks and construction equipment.
How NZG Models Are Sold
NZG has worked with other model companies. In the 1980s, they had similar marketing to companies like Conrad Models and Cursor Models. These companies also made promotional models for truck and car businesses. Collectors often saw the same style of silver and black boxes from NZG or Cursor. Sometimes, NZG models were even sold under the Conrad name. Around the late 1980s, some of NZG's molds were sold to a Bulgarian company called Mikro'67.
Other Model Lines
NZG now includes several other model companies. These are like sister companies. TWH and Sword are American companies that license NZG products. This means they have permission to sell NZG designs.
Other companies are more independent. Premium ClassiXXs makes classic German cars, vans, and motorcycles. Bubmobile and JNF Toys create classic wind-up toys from the 1950s. They also make small HO scale vehicles. Finally, the Y-Serie focuses on modern military trucks and equipment.
See also
In Spanish: Nzg modelos para niños
