Funskool (India) Ltd. is an Indian toy manufacturing company, founded in 1987 with headquarters in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Apart from its own brands, the company also manufactures and distributes products in the Indian market under license from foreign toy brands including Hasbro, Disney, Warner Bros., Takara Tomy, and Ravensburger.[1]
History
Funskool was established in 1987 as a joint venture by MRF Ltd. and American toy manufacturer Hasbro, Inc.[2] The company began commercial operations the following year.[1] Funskool manufactures all its products (including licensed products) at manufacturing facilities in Ranipet, near Chennai, and in Goa.[3] Funskool opened its third manufacturing at Ranipet on 20 March 2019, which is dedicated to handling exports.[4][5]
The company's main competitors in the Indian market are Mattel and FisherPrice.[1] In 2014, Funskool surpassed Mattel to become the market leader in the mid to premium range of the Indian toy market.[6]
Funskool's licence to manufacture Lego products was discontinued in 2019.[4]
Funskool products are currently exported to Africa, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Europe, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the United States.[7][8][6][4]
Stores
Funskool opened a Lego store in Chennai in 2013.[6] Following the success of the venture, the company opened the first Funskool store in Coimbatore in March 2014.[2][6] By September 2015, the company had opened one store each in eight cities across the country.[6]
Most Funskool stores are operated by franchisees.[2] As of February 2021, there are 18 Funskool stores nationwide.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Funskool goes in search of larger shelf space. Business Standard(19 August 2013). Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Funskool keen to enter tier-II cities, Law, Abhishek. The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ↑ Funskool to go beyond metros; bet on private brands, Menon, Bindu D. The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Funskool new unit with Rs 25 cr outlay in Tamil Nadu. Business Standard India(20 March 2019).
- ↑ Funskool become first toy manufacturer to get BIS certification. cnbctv18.com. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Funskool raises its game. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ↑ Funskool ties up with international brands to expand product portfolio. @businessline.
- ↑ Funskool to play with own brands. Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ↑ Number of Funskool retail stores. Retrieved 2 July 2021.