Successful crowdfunding saves toy company Stokys ahead of schedule
The future of the toy company Stokys is secure: In 15 days, the long-established company—which has been manufacturing metal construction sets for 75 years—raised over 110,000 francs from nearly 500 donors through a crowdfunding campaign.
Stokys had set a target of 94,000 francs. In a press release issued on Wednesday, Stokys CEO Beat Schaufelberger was delighted with the lively support: "It shows that there is still a need to preserve Stokys."
Stokys manufactures metal parts that can be used to screw together all kinds of things, such as toy carousels or smartphone stands. The company turned to donors on the crowdfunding platform Wemakeit at the end of March: It was becoming increasingly difficult to survive as a niche manufacturer in the global mass market. Instead of outsourcing production to Asia, Stokys wants to continue manufacturing in Switzerland (Werbewoche.ch reported).
Those responsible want to use the money raised to create a participation platform for Stoky fans on the internet and a new business model with special services for subscribers. The team is also planning to outsource production to a social institution such as a workshop for the disabled.
The crowdfunding campaign will continue for another week. The team is looking forward to any further support, also to pay for the volunteer work, according to the press release.
The Stokys metal construction toys were manufactured by the Stockmann brothers in Lucerne from 1941. The first aluminum building set came onto the market in 1942. During the Second World War, it was difficult to import toys. In the meantime, the company based in Bauma, Zurich, no longer makes a profit, according to its own information. The company is run by Managing Director and majority shareholder Beat Schaufelberger and two part-time employees. There are also several volunteer employees. (SDA)
