1
News / Re: Not Quite Playmobil News
« Last post by Macruran on Today at 07:29:17 »Thanks for the exegesis, that makes sense 
The fun forum for Playmobil® fans of all ages!
Recent Posts
2
Customs Gallery / Re: 18th-century customised flags
« Last post by hauden_lukas on Today at 02:11:53 »Looks! I also like the soldiers!
4
Brainstorming For Playmobil / Re: What's wrong with Playmobil? 2
« Last post by Rasputin on Today at 00:28:48 »For a short time, Playmobil did have some things produced in China. One of these was a free, special 25th anniversary torch to go with a set and it was an absolute disaster as the torches didn't work. There were problems, too, with other items produced for them there.
Yes the limited sets and or parts they made were craaap . It was more of a financial decision though to keep the set price low so they went with low quality. China is fully capable of making high quality if ordered.
Tim Cook of APPLE
“There’s a confusion about China. The popular conception is that companies come to China because of low labor cost. I’m not sure what part of China they go to, but the truth is China stopped being the low-labor-cost country many years ago. And that is not the reason to come to China from a supply point of view. The reason is because of the skill, and the quantity of skill in one location and the type of skill it is.”
5
Brainstorming For Playmobil / Re: What's wrong with Playmobil? 2
« Last post by Rasputin on Today at 00:26:29 »The PCC had some great long term benefits.
Yes there are
Thank you for all you did
6
Brainstorming For Playmobil / Re: What's wrong with Playmobil? 2
« Last post by Rasputin on Today at 00:24:47 »Thanks for the translation . It seems like a management trying to talk their way out of bad past decisions. The only thing they really are changing is where departments are located .
7
Brainstorming For Playmobil / Re: What's wrong with Playmobil? 2
« Last post by playmofire on April 19, 2024, 18:18:24 »So, re-arranging the deck chairs on the sun deck then.
8
Brainstorming For Playmobil / Re: What's wrong with Playmobil? 2
« Last post by JLMatterer on April 19, 2024, 18:15:37 »Von der Entstehung bis zur Einführung: Playmobil bündelt Prozesse
TRANSLATION from Google
From creation to introduction: Playmobil bundles processes
The stumbling toy brand Playmobil, Zirndorf, is restructuring its marketing and product organization. From May 2024, all product development processes will be bundled at Playmobil International GmbH - from the idea to the product launch. In doing so, the toy brand wants to “strategically readjust to the rapidly changing and ever shorter product cycles,” the company said. The newly founded Playmobil International will bring together the areas of Global Marketing and Brand Management, New Business Development, Technical Product Development, Licensing and Operations under one roof at the company's Zirndorf location. According to Playmobil, there are no plans to cut jobs as a result of the change.
“With our new, powerful marketing and product organization, we are creating the basis for an optimal portfolio strategy and relevant brand positioning in a dynamic environment,” says Playmobil board member Bahri Kurter. "With the new structure, we are creating the conditions to put consumers back in focus, expand the Playmobil brand internationally and strengthen internal collaboration through efficient communication."
For long-term success, the brand must become more relevant again and grow with new offers and customer segments. In January, Kurter announced the Playmobil brand's new strategy under the motto 'Heading into the future' at the Toy Fair in Nuremberg as part of the 50th anniversary. The first measure in 2024 is the launch of Playmobil Junior made entirely of plant-based materials, the expansion of the range for adults through so-called collectibles, as well as collaborations and alliances with other brands.
TRANSLATION from Google
From creation to introduction: Playmobil bundles processes
The stumbling toy brand Playmobil, Zirndorf, is restructuring its marketing and product organization. From May 2024, all product development processes will be bundled at Playmobil International GmbH - from the idea to the product launch. In doing so, the toy brand wants to “strategically readjust to the rapidly changing and ever shorter product cycles,” the company said. The newly founded Playmobil International will bring together the areas of Global Marketing and Brand Management, New Business Development, Technical Product Development, Licensing and Operations under one roof at the company's Zirndorf location. According to Playmobil, there are no plans to cut jobs as a result of the change.
“With our new, powerful marketing and product organization, we are creating the basis for an optimal portfolio strategy and relevant brand positioning in a dynamic environment,” says Playmobil board member Bahri Kurter. "With the new structure, we are creating the conditions to put consumers back in focus, expand the Playmobil brand internationally and strengthen internal collaboration through efficient communication."
For long-term success, the brand must become more relevant again and grow with new offers and customer segments. In January, Kurter announced the Playmobil brand's new strategy under the motto 'Heading into the future' at the Toy Fair in Nuremberg as part of the 50th anniversary. The first measure in 2024 is the launch of Playmobil Junior made entirely of plant-based materials, the expansion of the range for adults through so-called collectibles, as well as collaborations and alliances with other brands.
9
Brainstorming For Playmobil / Re: What's wrong with Playmobil? 2
« Last post by Tiermann on April 19, 2024, 15:22:35 »The PCC had some great long term benefits. The parts ordering system at the European sites is the result of the initial meetings with the collectors setting up the club. Making part ordering easier was a top priority and it is still there, though less effective compared to a couple of years ago. Online availability of the instruction sheets was also a result. The issue at the time of the club was that Playmobil management didn't understand the resource they had in the collectors or how to take advantage of it. We as a community know more about the history and possibilities of their product than most of their management does.
The real issues the company has are the result of HOB doing a bab job of succession management. He didn't understand that making radical changes in the upper structure of management would destabilize the company and lead to erosion to the point of possible collapse. The company went for most of its life with a strict heirarchical structure with one leader having a final say, to a diffuse structure with a three person committee trying to lead things and a board dominated by someone with limited understanding of the things that made the company successful. Coupling all that with the changing face of the toy industry as a whole has been disastrous.
To end on a positive note, they are focusing on smaller sets this year and doing a good job of packing in play value. I have been very happy with the smaller sets this year.
The real issues the company has are the result of HOB doing a bab job of succession management. He didn't understand that making radical changes in the upper structure of management would destabilize the company and lead to erosion to the point of possible collapse. The company went for most of its life with a strict heirarchical structure with one leader having a final say, to a diffuse structure with a three person committee trying to lead things and a board dominated by someone with limited understanding of the things that made the company successful. Coupling all that with the changing face of the toy industry as a whole has been disastrous.
To end on a positive note, they are focusing on smaller sets this year and doing a good job of packing in play value. I have been very happy with the smaller sets this year.
10
News / Re: Not Quite Playmobil News
« Last post by JPSA on April 19, 2024, 13:38:48 »I find that piece almost impossible to understand.
Yes, it is very hard to understand, due to the oddball style and subject matter. I believe the editorialist is mocking the current prime minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati — "Mikou" — by likening him to a 'playmobil', meaning a straw man ( aka a 'non-player character', or npc ), who got his position by being obsequious to one Istiz Nabeuh, an old senator who's pulling the strings, apparently. The title, "Chefs Playmobil", hints that the PM isn't the first puppet political leader, parading around, the country has known — as confirmed later in the article.