NZG Models
NZG for Nürnberger Zinkdruckguß-Modelle GmbH (Nuremberg Diecast Models) is a German manufacturer of diecast scale models primarily in 1:50 scale for use both as toys and promotional models mainly by heavy transport and construction equipment manufacturers.
As seen in the name, the company is based in Nuremberg, Germany. Cars were also important and jet engine, aircraft, and stamping press models were also produced by NZG. A main company in competition with NZG, especially in production of construction vehicles in diecast for promotional purposes is Conrad Models.
According to the NZG website, Gerhard Schmid and Betty Hauer started NZG Modelle in 1968 (see also Force 1990, 193), when shop was set up in the second floor of a furniture company. The business soon moved to a 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) site at Sigmundstraße industrial estate. The first model produced was a Weserhutte wheeled crane, in that year. By 1974, at least 30 models were in the NZG range were noted in David Sinclair's Catalog (Sinclair's 1974). Sinclair, in the mid-1960s was one of the first importers to bring lesser known European brands to the U.S. (Levine 2009). Since then, over 700 different models have been produced and the company makes over 400,000 models a year.
In 1986 the company was operated by Inge Ludwig (née Schmid) and Hannelore Hauer. In 2000, NZG passed completely to the Ludwig family. Inge and Michael Ludwig run the company today.
Scales produced are 1:25, 1:50, and 1:87, as well as commercial vehicle models in 1:43. Special models require at least a 300 piece production order.
NZG specializes in a wide variety of heavy equipment types ranging from hand pallet movers, forklifts, scissors lifts, reach stackers, power generators and skidsteers to front loaders, shovels, excavators, graders, and mammoth ore carrying dump trucks. Caterpillar and other engines and machinery are sometimes also made and displayed free-standing. Some offerings, like pavement profilers, road finishers, asphalt strippers, road rollers, pipelayers, large cranes and drill rigs have also been offered, and NZG seems to have the market corner in promoting many models for a variety of manufacturers (Toy Fair 2011). Considering the variety of commercial model vehicles and equipment, one sees that details are intricate and sometimes delicate. To call NZG models 'toys' is too simple - they are precise replicas of the real thing - and quite sophisticated.
Marques represented are from a broad range, and include MAN, New Holland, Volvo, Caterpillar, FAUN, Grove, Terex and Liebherr, to name just a handful. Chinese built bulldozers are reproduced. Larger NZG trucks, like the Terex and Liebherr ore carriers are quite expensive, sometimes costing as much as 500 U.S. dollars, but most models seem to sell for anywhere between US $50 and US $150.
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Wikipedia