Wildebras

The brothers Nolles had a wholesale company in tobacco articles in Steenwijk, The Netherlands, before WW2. During the war, production came to a hold due to shortage of tobacco. They looked for something to keep their staff busy and they started producing simple fabric dolls. It was a success and after the war they decided to stay in the toy business and named their factory: Speelgoederenfabriek ’t Poppenrijk (=Toy Factory The Doll Country). In 1957 they started producing dolls from polyethylene and vinyl. The brand name for these dolls (and all other toys) was Wildebras (=Tomboy). In 1960 they started producing vinyl toy cars and other toys also, although the dolls remained their core business.

By the end of the 1960’s the sales of toys diminished rapidly due to heavy competition from Asia. In 1976, the factory burned down and was never rebuilt.

Subject ID: 9757

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The brothers Nolles had a wholesale company in tobacco articles in Steenwijk, The Netherlands, before WW2. During the war, production came to a hold due to shortage of tobacco. They looked for something to keep their staff busy and they started producing simple fabric dolls. It was a success and after the war they decided to stay in the toy business and named their factory: Speelgoederenfabriek ’t Poppenrijk (=Toy Factory The Doll Country). In 1957 they started producing dolls from polyethylene and vinyl. The brand name for these dolls (and all other toys) was Wildebras (=Tomboy). In 1960 they started producing vinyl toy cars and other toys also, although the dolls remained their core business.

By the end of the 1960’s the sales of toys diminished rapidly due to heavy competition from Asia. In 1976, the factory burned down and was never rebuilt.

Subject ID: 9757

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