Kader Group
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Toy manufacturing, model railways, real estate |
| Founded | 1948 |
| Founder | Ting Hsiung Chao |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Ting family (leadership) |
| Products | Toy and hobby railway products, plastic flashlights (initially), real estate holdings |
| Parent | Kader Holdings Company Limited |
Kader Industrial Company Limited was established in Hong Kong in 1948 by Ting Hsiung Chao. It became publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1985 and currently operates under the name "Kader Holdings Company Limited".
Presently, Kader ranks among the largest global producers of toy and hobby railway products, alongside diverse manufacturing ventures and notable real estate holdings. The Ting family remains at the helm, upholding the founder’s original aspirations.
Initially, Kader's production centered on plastic flashlights, which were considered novelty items at the time.
Present day
The company's primary manufacturing sites are located in Dongguan, PRC. Its production is split between Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services for brand owners and precision model railroad manufacturing distributed through Kader’s own brands. Clients for ODM have included major companies such as Disney, Hasbro, Mattel, and Panasonic.
Model Railways
In 1984, Kader expanded into North America by acquiring 'Bachmann Bros.' and renaming it Bachmann Industries. Leveraging Bachmann’s established reputation, Kader undertook further acquisitions to become the leading volume seller of model railways worldwide, addressing concerns about quality linked to Hong Kong manufacturing. By 1989, it introduced a European division utilizing moulds from the former Palitoy 'Mainline' UK range to create Bachmann Branchline. Later acquisitions included Liliput (Austria) in 1992, Graham Farish in 2000, and assets from Williams models in 2007, which led to the launch of "Williams by Bachmann".
Kader’s approach involves purchasing respected local brands, discontinuing local manufacturing operations, redesigning products in Hong Kong to enhance quality, and relocating production to mainland China to optimize costs.
Currently, Bachmann distributes model trains worldwide in H0 scale, N scale, On30, and G scale, along with related buildings and accessories:
- North America – Bachmann Industries, Williams by Bachmann
- United Kingdom – Bachmann Branchline (00 gauge), Graham Farish (British scale N gauge)
- Europe – Liliput and Palitoy
- China – Since 2000, Bachmann China has produced Chinese prototype models and inaugurated a dedicated retail outlet in Shanghai in 2005
In November 2008, Kader acquired Sanda Kan, its nearest competitor in Hong Kong-based ODM precision model railway production. Sanda Kan had been a principal supplier for Hornby Railways as well as other prominent brands including Lionel, Atlas, Life-Like, Brawa, and Märklin. Prior to this acquisition, Sanda Kan experienced operational difficulties and financial strain following a J.P. Morgan private equity takeover. The merger was viewed as a positive step toward revitalizing Sanda Kan’s market position. Kader retained Sanda Kan as an independent company with original owner W.S. Ting resuming leadership.
Hornby welcomed the acquisition as it alleviated uncertainties surrounding Sanda Kan’s future; however, supply chain issues continued until Hornby terminated its partnership with Sanda Kan in 2015 for £0.5 million to regain control over tooling after delivery delays had negatively affected performance.
1993 Thailand factory fire
On May 10, 1993, a catastrophic fire broke out at the Kader Toy Factory, a collaborative enterprise located in Thailand. This tragedy claimed the lives of 188 individuals and caused severe injuries to more than 500 people, primarily impacting young female employees from rural areas. It stands as one of the most fatal industrial disasters worldwide.
Real estate
Kader possesses real estate holdings in the United States, notably including the Everline Resort and Spa situated in Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, California. The company has revised its development strategies for this property, indicating a realignment within its real estate investment approach.