Breaking News! Atlantis buys Revell toolings – UPDATE
UPDATE I’ve added a little clarification below:
First of all, I have never ever used the words “breaking news” on this website. I just got this press release from Pete Vetri at Atlantis Toy and Hobby.
Atlantis has purchased the existing Revell tooling that was stored in the Elk Grove, Illinois facility. There are a large number of toolings from Revell, Aurora, Monogram, and Renwal. When I talked to Pete this morning, he was pretty excited. We wish Pete and Rick all the best!
UPDATE: Just a bit of clarification. Earlier this year, the assets of Revell USA and Revell Germany were purchased by a German firm. The German company owns all the tooling in China and Europe. The new company also took ownership of the tooling that remained at Revell’s Elk Grove, IL warehouse. They kept some of this tooling and offered the remaining molds to Atlantis. Atlantis purchased hundreds of toolings.
Much of the old Aurora tooling that still exists has been reissued by Revell. Most of that tooling is in China and owned by the new Revell Germany. Atlantis has purchased what remained in the US. That have not said specifically what they have.
They will let us know what they will be producing as soon as they are ready. Stay tuned.
Here is the text of the press release:
Atlantis Models
“Preserving the Past while Building the Future”
LONG ISLAND, NY, – Atlantis Model Co., manufacturer of plastic models and toys has purchased the tooling for many plastic model kits from the new owners of Revell, Revell Inc. USA-Blitz Partners. These molds were from the tooling banks of Monogram, Revell, Aurora and Renwal, some dating back to the early 1950s. They were stored in Revell’s Elk Grove facility in the great state of Illinois and represent Automotive, Aircraft, Ships, Military, Figures, Space and many other interesting subjects.
Peter Vetri, President of Atlantis, states, “It’s a lifelong dream to own this historic tooling and archive material related to these molds; to be able to preserve the tooling is a real honor. We look forward to reissuing many classics that have not been available in quite some time. All of the model kits will be made here in the USA and all the tooling and the Archive have been moved from Elk Grove to our facilities in Deer Park, NY. I would personally like to thank Julie Dombrowski, Edward Sexton, Lou Aguilera, Chris Borris and the legendary Ken Funk for the hard work they did at Revell over the years and especially the last few months which were a difficult closure for them.”
The deal was worked out shortly after the Hobbico bankruptcy was settled out. It was a very smooth transaction. It took about 2 months to complete from start to finish. Rick DelFavero, VP of operations, states, “I think model enthusiasts around the world will be pleasantly surprised in the coming years to see what the tooling bank and Historical Archive contains. We believe our releases will appeal not only to people that saw the original issues of these kits, but also to a new generation that can help expand and grow the hobby!”
Look for kits to hit store shelves 1stqtr 2019, our 10 Year Anniversary!
About Atlantis Models
Atlantis Toy and Hobby was founded in 2009 by Peter Vetri and Rick DelFavero with some guidance from former Aurora Project Manager Andrew P. Yanchus. With a combined 60 years of hobby experience, not only are we lifelong hobbyists, we know what it takes to run a successful hobby manufacturing business. Atlantis Toy and Hobby has sold thousands of products all over the world since 2009. Atlantis is an MDR company, Manufacturer-Distributor-Retailer, offering World Class Knowledge and Service in the Hobby Industry.
