Private company

Ertl Company

Logo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

American toy company

Ertl (formerly, the Ertl Company) is a former American manufacturing company and current brand of toys, best known for its die-cast metal alloy collectible replicas (or scale models) of agricultural machinery. Other products manufactured by Ertl include cars, airplanes, and commercial vehicles. The company was based in Dyersville, Iowa, home of the National Farm Toy Museum.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 20, 2026.

Overview

1945Founded1

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Photo: Buttonfreak at Dutch Wikipedia Later versions were uploaded by Erik Baas at nl.wikipedia ., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons5

Ertl (formerly, the Ertl Company) is a former American manufacturing company and current brand of toys, best known for its die-cast metal alloy collectible replicas (or scale models) of agricultural machinery. Other products manufactured by Ertl include cars, airplanes, and commercial vehicles.2

The story

Ertl has been producing farm toy replicas since 1945. For over 60 years, the company has produced farm toys for industry brands such as: John Deere, Case IH, New Holland, and AGCO. Ertl has also, on different occasions, acquired the licenses to produce die-cast vehicles and figurines as well as model kits for Looney Tunes, Garfield, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Tugs, Theodore Tugboat, Super Mario Bros. DC Comics, and Star Wars. In 1999, Ertl was purchased by Racing Champions. Ertl is currently a brand under the RC2 Corporation umbrella.

Timeline

Important Dates in Racing Champions/Ertl Company History

1945 - The Ertl Company is founded by Fred Ertl Sr., in Dubuque, Iowa

1959 - The company moves to larger facilities in Dyersville, Iowa

1967 - Ertl is acquired by Victor Comptometer Corporation

1971 - Ertl acquires Carter Tru-Scale

1973 - Ertl begins manufacturing plastic model kits

1974 - Ertl acquires Structo Stamped Steel

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1977 - Kidde, Inc. acquires Ertl with purchase of Victor Comptometer Corp

1981 - Ertl acquires AMT model kit company

1985 - Ertl acquires MPC model kits

1986 - Ertl produces Thomas & Friends licensed toys

1987 - Hanson plc purchases Kidde. Ertl acquires ESCI model kit company

1989 - Racing Champions is founded by Bob Dods, Boyd Meyer and Peter Chung

1990 - Ertl releases the first Precision Series farm toy replica

1991–92 - Racing Champions obtains NASCAR license

1992 - Fred Ertl Jr. & Robert J. Ertl retire

1995 - Hanson plc consolidates its U.S. companies to form U.S.I. (United States Industries)

1993 - Ertl begins the Wings Of Texaco die cast airplane collection

1996 - Racing Champions introduces its Mint line of non-racing vehicles. Racing Champions Corporation is formed

1997 - Racing Champions completes its initial public stock offering (RACN on NASDAQ)

1999 - Company produces a commercial version of the Eternity puzzle

1999 - Racing Champions acquires The Ertl Company

2000 - Ertl acquires Britains Limited

2003 - Racing Champions Ertl acquired Chicago-based Learning Curve International, Inc.

2004 - RC2 Corporation acquired Playing Mantis assets and The First Years Inc., while the Thomas & Friends range was discontinued.

2008 - Round 2 LLC signs licensing agreement to produce and market AMT, MPC, Polar Lights, and 1:24 and 1:18 scale diecast

2009 - Ertl celebrates 50 years in Dyersville, Iowa

2010 - Ertl celebrates its 65th Anniversary

2011 - Tomy acquired RC2; maintains control of Ertl, Racing Champions and Johnny Lightning tooling

2012 - Round 2 LLC acquires full rights to AMT, MPC, Polar Lights tooling

2013 - Tomy discontinues Johnny Lightning brand

2015 – Round 2 LLC obtains the rights to use Racing Champions, American Muscle and ERTL Custom and Premium tooling

2016 – Round 2 LLC obtains the rights to use Johnny Lighting tooling

2018 – The son of Fred Ertl sells Die-cast Promotions (DCP) company to First Gear Inc. - https://www.firstgearonline.com/shop/dcp

2020 - Tomy reintroduces Johnny Lightning brand

From Wikipedia’s article on Ertl Company, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Products and brands

  • model car

Listed on Wikidata.1

Plastic model kits

In the late 1970s, Ertl offered a series of plastic model kits of heavy commercial trucks, over-the-road trailers, tractors, plows, and farm wagons. Although these kits never achieved the hoped-for popularity, they led to the acquisition of AMT. In 1983, AMT was purchased by Ertl from Lesney, and renamed AMT/Ertl. AMT/Ertl then had a 24-year relationship until AMT was sold in 2007.

Movies and TV franchises

In the 1980s, Ertl got licenses to produce and commercialise model cars from movies and TV series, such as KITT from the Knight Rider and the Bat-vehicles from the 1989 Batman film. They would also make a multitude of action figures and vehicles for the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie.

American Muscle diecast

In the early 1990s Ertl started the American Muscle line up of diecast collectible cars, trucks, and motorcycles. These were 1:18 or 1:10 scale replicas that quickly found a dedicated following of baby boomers. Limited editions of 2,500 were especially sought after. Many of the earliest releases have fetched upwards of $500. The most popular and desirable is the 1957 Chevy Bel Air known as Peggy Sue.

Airplanes

Ertl has also produced a number of die cast airplane models over the years, including some promotional items for Texaco, Continental and many other airlines and others.

From Wikipedia’s article on Ertl Company, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Subsidiaries and ownership

Owners

From Wikidata.1

Timeline

  1. 1945Founded Founded1

Sources

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