Bachmann Industries is a Bermuda registered company that is
based in Hong Kong, with its founding base and North American headquarters located in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania specializing in model railroading. Bachmann's fully owned plant is located in Dongguan,
China. The plant is a joint venture with the Chinese Government.
The original company was started in America in 1833 by Henry Carlisle. He was a manufacturer
of products made from horn, ivory and tortoise shell. A large part of this business in that era was the
manufacture of high-back Spanish combs for the ladies of the Southern States. After the American Civil War
this business was lost. The manufacture of side combs, dressing combs, barettes, and other hair ornaments
was continued on a large scale from both horn and tortoise shell. Hand carved ivory umbrella handles were
also made at that time.
In 1899, the business was being run by Henry E. Bachmann, and he decided to merge with another similar business
being run by his father, Henry G. Bachmann, a German immigrant and his son, Walter J. Bachmann. Thus,
Bachmann Brothers came into being.
In the mid-1940s, the company was getting involved in plastics. To extend its market outside of
combs and brushes, Bachmann firm made an item that was originally designed for decoration on Christmas
trees. However, it soon would completely change the direction of their company. They found out people were
using this Christmas decoration item for fences on model train layouts. Bachmann then remarketed the "fence"
under the Plasticville brand. It was so successful that the brand moved full scale into producing a
line of buildings, scenery, and accessories for model train layouts.
Bachmann did not become important to tinplate Railroaders until the 1950's when they mass produced this large
line of injection molded plastic buildings called "Plasticville". The buildings are roughly 'O' Scale but
also look good with 'S'. As accessories to Lionel and
American Flyer
trains, the Bachman brand experienced substantial growth. The molds were also half-sized in the 1960's to produce
HO scale versions. Most of the kits in both sizes are still produced.
Bachmann made its first model trains in 1952. Determining it had enough brand name recognition with
the success of its scenery and accessory products, Bachmann moved into producing actual working engines
and rolling stock in a variety of scales. Primarily working in 'O' scale (1/48th size) and HO (1/87th size)
scale, they steadily worked into other scales. Today, Bachmann has an extensive line of model trains and
accessories in gauges HO, N, On30, and Large Scale. Bachman entered the 'G' Gauge market
starting with battery operated trains and moved up to track current driven trains. Currently they hold
the low price range of the 'G' market, with some higher end items in their Spectrum series. They also
continue to make Plasticville structures.
Bachmann Bros. entered the N scale market in 1968. The items were made in Bachmann's factory in Hong
Kong. Early models were an oversized F9A and GP40. The Budd Metroliner was one of the models offered in 1969.
Bachmann manufactured locomotives, cars, and ready-built structures. Several of the early items are still
offered. Other notable items that Bachmann made were the United Aircraft Turbo-Train and the Auto-Train.
In the 1980s, Bachmann introduced the TGV Train, Brill and PCC streetcars, EMD DDA40X, EMD SD40-2, and
an EMD GP50. They also added several steam locomotives to their line.
Bachmann is part of a parent group named Kader. The Kader Company was established in 1948 with the
purpose of making models and toys for export around the world. In 1952 Kader made the first Model Trains
for Bachmann‘s American market. This relationship developed and prospered until 1984, when Kader acquired
the Bachmann Company in its entirety. The Kader Company also produces Model Railway equipment for other
Model brands. Bachmann Industries (Europe) was set up in England during 1989. It‘s initial product range,
called Branchline, consisted of moulds used to produce the Mainline range of Railway models. These had been
produced for Mainline by the Kader factory. The Kader Group produces model trains for the whole world;
being accredited with ISO 9001 certification in 1999 as recognition to the high quality of its products
and services. It employs up to 18000 workers and annually produces over 1.3 million train sets for the
U.S market alone!
In 1992 Bachmann Industries (Europe) purchased the continental manufacturer
Lilliput and a German
sales office was established, this handles all Marketing, sales and product development for the Liliput brand.
The start of the new millennium heralded yet more acquisitions and growth for the Bachmann group of
companies. 2000 saw the British 'N' scale manufacturer Graham Farish purchased by Bachmann Europe plc.
This range of models has also had its production transferred to the Kader factory, joining both Branchline
and Liliput.
The Bachmann brand is the largest seller, in terms of volume, of model trains in the world. Bachmann
primarily specializes in inexpensive high quality entry-level train sets sold in the mass market. The turnover
for Bachmann model trains for the year ended December 31, 2006 was approximately $46.87 million, a slight
increase of 3.36% as compared to 2005.
In October 2007 Bachmann acquired Williams Trains, thus adding a three rail 'O'
gauge product line to their portfolio. They are promoting the Williams name as "Williams by Bachmann" to
capitalize on both brand names.
Link to Bachmann Industries Web Site.
