Major toy companies have thrived despite the pandemic and inflation as they provide entertainment to children and adults. Even so, some companies have done better than others. As a result, these are among the most valuable toy companies worldwide by market cap.
1. Lego Group
Lego Group is the largest toy company globally, with a market cap of $3.2 billion. This company was founded in 1932 by the Kirk Kristiansen family, which still owns it. The company, which has its headquarters in Billund, Denmark, specializes in making Lego toys made of interlocking plastic bricks. It has over 800 stores in 44 countries. However, the store has ventured outside toys and owns an amusement park called Legoland.
The company experienced a boom in sales during the pandemic as people sought ways to keep their children busy. Moreover, its toys can also be used by adults making them preferable to others brands.
2. Bandai Namco
The company has a market cap of $14.80 billion. Its headquarters are in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It was formed in 2005 following a merger between Bandai and Namco. Bandai’s founder was Naoharu Yamashina, while Namco’s founder was Masaya Nakamura. The company operates under the leadership of its chairman Shukuo Ishikawa and President, Masaru Kawaguchi.
Bandai Namco specializes in video games, toys, arcades, and anime. It also owns amusement parks and restaurants. The company operates under several units. For instance, it has the Toy and Hobby Unit run by Bandai, which produces electronic devices and toys. It also has the Mega House for figurines, toys for candy machines, and Bandai Spirits that makes toys for adults.
3. Fisher-Price
This toy company has a market cap of about $800 million. It has been a subsidiary of Mattel Inc (NASDAQ: MAT) since 1993. The company’s founders include Helen M. Schedule, Irving L. Price, and Herman G. Fisher, who started it in 1930. Its headquarters are in East Aurora, New York, U.S. The company is the largest in the world that produces preschool products. In addition, it specializes in baby toys and car seats.
The most popular Fisher-Price toys include the Little People Playsets and the Power Wheels ride-on toys. It also produces licensed toys like Disney, Sesame Street, Winnie the Pooh, and Blue’s Clues products.
Fisher-Price also licenses its names to children’s toiletries, books, shoes, and apparel manufacturers. Its CEO, Yinon Kreiz, runs it.
4. Barbie
Barbie is another Mattel subsidiary with a market cap of $588 million. In 1959, its founder Ruth Handle created the famous Barbie after drawing inspiration from Bild Lillias, a German doll. Handle and her company would later buy the rights to Bild Lillias.
Barbie was initially well-received and became a best-selling doll. However, this changed years later as the company failed to evolve. Between 2011 and 2015, Barbie experienced a rapid decline in sales. Many parents felt the doll promoted unrealistic body standards and lacked diversity, as the dolls were mostly white and blonde. Furthermore, young girls didn’t find the doll inspirational despite Barbie having multiple careers.
Fortunately, this changed in 2015 when Barbie created the Barbie Fashionista Dolls. These dolls differed from the original Barbie as they came in varying body types, hair textures, and skin tones. This move accelerated growth for the company, and in 2020, it experienced the highest sales it had experienced in years.
5. Nerf
This company has a market cap of $463 million. The Parker brothers founded the company in 1969. However, Nerf is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS). Nerf has its headquarters in Leven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium.
It specializes in producing foam-based weapons and banks. Its most popular toys include Blasters, Zombie Strike, Rebelle, Nitro, Rivak, Super Soaker, and Nerf Dog. The company also produces video game accessories for companies like Nintendo and PlayStation2.
