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EKO
Plastic models produced in Barcelona, Spain, dating from the 1960s. The models produced include HO (1/87th scale) vehicles, as found in Spain at the time, particularly Renaults and Seats, a series of 1/150th aircraft, and an interesting range of veteran cars.

Eligor
A range launched by the owner of the first model car shop in Paris, Jacques Greilsamer. Eligor at first produced, in die-cast, models from the moulds which had been used by Norev for manufacture in plastic. Later the Eligor name was acquired by Louis Surber (of LBS), who reverted to the use of plastic.

Subsequently the Eligor range expanded through similar acquisitions of obsolete die-cast ranges.

Emek
Models produced in plastic in Finland to 1/25th scale.

ERF
The origins of ERF in fact stem from Foden: the initials stand for Edwin Richard Foden, who with his son Dennis, and others from Foden, set up their own company in 1933. From the outset this has been a highly successful name in the truck industry. Until 2000 the company was located at Sandbach, but on being taken over by MAN moved to Middlewich.

Models exist from many manufacturers of ERF trucks of the post-war years up to the present day.

Ertl
An American company which was established in 1945 by Fred Ertl Snr, who following unemployment started making toys in the basement of his home. It became noted for the accuracy of its products because it would refer back to the original blueprints of the vehicles being modelled.

The company has always been noted for its tractors and other farm equipment and has close connections with the major manufacturers such as Case International, Ford, Deutz Allis, Massey Ferguson, John Deere and International Harvester. It has produced these items in a variety of scales.

In more recent times it has moved into the larger scale market with models of famous American and European cars.

Another recent development has been the production of construction equipment, with special arrangements with Caterpillar.

In the 1970s it sold various toy aircraft, but these were produced by Lintoy of Hong Kong, which had been previously sold in the UK under the Corgi brand. In the late 1980s the company launched its own ranges of war planes and jet aircraft.

In the toy field the company has been particularly successful with its range developed around Thomas the Tank Engine.

The company took over Britains, and developed that company's military and farm equipment models, together with other die-cast collectables.

Ever Ready
Famous as battery producers, the company produced a battery-operated model of a London Underground train.

Exclusive First Editions
Launched in 1989, the concept behind Exclusive First Editions was to produce models to a constant scale: 1/76th was chosen. The intention was that these would appeal not only to those who collect die-cast models, but also to model railway enthusiasts.

The initiative in fact came from a concept to produce models for promotional purposes. A team was assembled, bringing together technical, marketing and financial expertise. As development on the project progressed, so the promotional concept was abandoned, in favour of the constant scale format. While it had originally been hoped to manufacture in the United Kingdom, cost considerations meant that production in the Far East was essential.

The range was launched with a series of commercial vehicles based on the AEC Mammoth Major cab, and a London AEC Regent RT bus. It was the latter which was to prove to be the instant success, revealing a vast demand for model buses. As a result the company has since concentrated on public service vehicles.

Other commercials have not been forgotten, with further cabs being added, such as Atkinson, Bedford TK and the Ergo cab. These cabs have been used with various 'backs', such as box vans, flatbeds and tippers, while series have been developed on themes such as Brewery and Grocery.

Four sports cars have been produced, but EFE, along with other manufacturers who have tried similar ideas, have found that the relative small size of the cars tends to deter customers. Even though as much research and tooling is involved, the sports cars are perhaps not deemed as value for money.

Those who had been involved with the establishment of EFE were familiar with the toy and model market, having previously worked with Matchbox and Lledo. However, some initial mistakes were made, such as over estimating the demand, and permitting too many 'commissioned' models. Both these problems were quickly addressed.

Financing for EFE, which is in fact a brand name of the holding company Gilbow Holdings Ltd, has come from a number of sources. For a time the company was part of the ERA Group, which included, among others the Beatties chain of model shops and the distribution company Richard Kohnstam Ltd. However, following financial problems experienced by ERA, which saw all branches of Beatties close, Gilbow Holdings Ltd was acquired by Frank and Brenda Joyce, who had been closely involved with the EFE range since its inception.

Today the EFE brand is very much associated with superb model buses and coaches produced to the constant scale of 1/76th, which has always been the most popular scale for model bus enthusiasts. It has also produced London Underground stock, and, in complete contrast, a tin plate model of a Miller car.

Euclid
Noted for their earth-moving equipment, many toy ranges included a Euclid vehicle. This was probably because of their good play-value. The Euclid earth-moving equipment was first produced in 1931, with the United Kingdom subsidiary, Euclid (Great Britain) Ltd being formed in 1950. The company subsequently became part of General Motors, the White Corporation, and finally Mercedes-Benz.

The main toys came from Budgie, Dinky and Matchbox.

 

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