Marbel in 2009

About Us

Cornwall‐based toy distributor Marbel specialises in classic toys made from traditional materials. The firm was set up six years ago by husband and wife team Christoph and Rebecca Bettin, who started the company after spending several years working in Munich, Germany, for American multinational General Electric. During their time overseas the couple noticed that traditional toys like wooden trains, metal construction kits and baby toys were still popular with parents and children, and saw an opportunity to bring the idea back to the UK. Christoph said: “In an increasingly electronic world our toys offer something to parents that is more traditional and allows greater interaction for young children. Our toys are visually stimulating and tactile, great fun and are of excellent quality. Above all we ensure our products are able to spark children’s imagination and provide excellent playtime value.” The company has been growing ever since its inception and two years ago announced record growth of over 300%. To manage the increased demand, the company moved into a new and larger warehouse. The updated warehouse has greatly improved order picking and packing efficiency, and not only is Marbel now dealing with an increased number of orders, they are reaching customers with decreased delivery times. 2009 has kicked off in a great way as well, The Toyfair was a huge success for Marbel, the new catalogue, new products and new stand proved to be hugely popular and it was great to see so many new and existing customers. The Spring Fair saw Marbel exhibit in its award winning wooden Wendy house and again Marbel experienced a great event, with increased footfall on the stand and a great reaction to new products. A new e‐mail newsletter service is on track to be launched in June, the service will keep customers up to date on new products, special offers and promotions. The Marbel brand continues to grow from strength to strength and 2009 looks set to be another great year for the toy distributor. Marbel currently distributes sustainable wooden toys from the following leading brands; Plan Toys, I’M Toy, K’s Kids, Eitech, New Classic Toys and L’atitude Enfant. Plan Toys Thailand based Plan Creations Co., Ltd. is the world’s first and largest manufacturer of recycle wooden toys. PlanToys® comes from rubberwood trees that are too old to produce latex. Prior to PlanToys® these trees were cut, burned and discarded. Through PlanToys® these trees are re-used to create innovative wooden toys loved by children around the world. Child specialists regard PlanToys® as effective educational tools and the products have won numerous awards from UK, Europe, U.S.A., Japan and Thailand. Customers can be assured that all PlanToys® in your hands are Green Toys from a Green Company. I’M Toy Family run I’M Toy, established over twenty years ago in 1987, have developed a strong range of wooden and fabric toys. I’M Toy have used sustainable rubber-wood, natural paints and finishes since setting up production in the late eighties. As well as following this strong environmental policy, I’M Toy also have strict safety regulations in place. The toys will also aid the child’s mental, physical and social development. Throughout the years, I’M Toy have developed a strong reputation worldwide and have pushed the boundaries of creativity, environmental toy manufacture, production processes and safety standard within the toy industry. K’s Kids K’s Kids educational toys are rich in interesting activities, which can help stimulate the five core senses of children aged from 0mths+ up to 38mths+. From the small shaking rattle to the big activity play mat, there are different sensory activities for children to explore, learn and to play with. Many of the K’s Kids educational products have won international toys awards, because of the original concept and educational values. Every K's Kids toy is designed to encourage the healthy development of children. K’s Kids are committed to making the best toys for the young hands and minds, using quality and safe materials to produce toys that are adorable, educational and fun to play with. Eitech Eitech was founded in the city of Pfaffschwende, Germany in 1955 as a metal parts manufacturer. The company focused on the development and production of a variety of steel products based on the company’s powerful `Eitech` tool and molding division. Today, Eitech designs, engineers and manufactures the highest quality metal construction kits in the world today. A wide range of building sets are available, starting with the beginner line consisting of plastic parts designed for young builders 4 years and up, to Eitech’s renowned advanced metal sets for older, more experienced builders. New Classic Toys Established in 1991 in the small town of Medemblik, Netherlands, New Classic Toys has grown from a small local supplier of musical instruments and gifts into a worldwide distributor of high quality Musical Instruments and Toys. Run by a small and friendly team of dedicated family and staff, the underlying belief that New Classic Toys instills into its product range is that the traditional play values, that have been passed down from generation to generation, continue to thrive in the modern world. Believing strongly in this value has shaped and molded the range that Marbel offers you today, with each and every product having strong educational ethics. The New Classic Toys brand also stands for safety; all products meet the latest En71 European standards and have been selected because of their outstanding safe design and production. L’atitude Enfant Brand new to Marbel for 2009 is the French designed selection of L’Atitude Enfant soft toys. L’Atitude Enfant stands for quality, safety and educational play value, so fits in perfectly with the current Marbel range. The initial two ranges Marbel will stock will be the famous Grannimals and the preschool Nature Collection. Nine hand knitted woolly Grannimals make up the Wooly Family of soft toys. Suitable from birth, each Grannimal has it’s own characteristics and personal traits. Arriving packaged in a beautiful shoe box, children can select their favorite companions to share the adventure of growing up! Seven soft preschool toys form the Nature Collection, each of the toys have been specifically developed to enhance children’s educational development. Ranging from the cute Stacking Cat to the musical Sound Cube, each product has been produced to the highest safety standards using the latest production methods.

Marbel Wins Cornwall Business Award!

Lostwithiel based Toy Distributor, Marbel Ltd, are pleased to announce they have been rewarded for all their hard work, by scooping the ‘Best Growth Strategy’ prize at this years Cornwall Business Awards. Tim Smit, CEO of the Eden Project, announced the award, commenting this was the only unanimaous decision made by the juding panel and praised Marbel for their fearless approach in difficult times.


Marbel’s directors, Christoph and Rebecca Bettin , were delighted to receive the award and reiterated it is a terrific achievement for an up and coming Cornish company. As a result of the growth and success of the business, Marbel has been able to put all staff members through Cornish training schemes such as the the Smart Woman and Unlocking Cornish Potential iniatives as well as numerous apprentiships.

The directors stressed their gratefullness to all employees for their hardwork and determination in helping Marbel to achieve it’s vision of being a key player in the UK Toy industry.

For further press information, please contact Phil Nelson on 01208 873123.

Marbel Nominated for Two Prestigious Awards

Marbel Nominated for Two Prestigious Awards

Lostwithiel based Toy Distributor; Marbel, are pleased to announce they have been nominated for two prestigious Cornish Business Awards. The company has been shortlisted for the:

- Growth Strategy of the Year Award

Christoph Bettin the Managing Director has himself been nomianted for the:

- Entrepeneuer of the Year Award

Christoph Bettin is delighted with both nominations and says:

“After six years of developing and growing a Cornish company we are delighted to be nominated for both awards. The nominations are testament to the clear vision Marbel has of what we want to achieve and how we are going to achieve these goals. As a result of the growth and success of the business, we have been able to put all staff members through Cornish training schemes such as the the Smart Woman and Unlocking Cornish Potential iniatives and we are grateful to our employees in helping us to achieve our vision of being a key player in the UK Toy industry. “

Vist Marbel in 2009

Visit Marbel in 2009

Marbel are launching over 100 exciting new products in early 2009. Be the first to see these products at the Toyfair, Spring Fair or Nursery Fair!

Toyfair
28th - 31st January 2009
London Excela
Stand SJ20

Spring Fair
1st - 5th February 2009
Birmingham NEC
Hall 5 Stand A26

Nursery Fair
22nd - 24th March 2009
Harrogate Exhibition Centre
Kings Suite

Toymaster Show
19th - 21st May 2009
Harrogate Majestic Hotel
Stand TBA

BPA Nursery Show
11th - 13th October 2009
London Excel
Stand TBA

Please contact your Sales Representative for more information.

We look forward to seeing you at the shows!

Marbel Included in Renowned Christmas Wishlist

It is with great delight that Marbel can announce the Plan Toys Pull Along Snail, has made iconic retailers 'Selfridge's Top Ten Must Have Christmas Products ' list. This is a great achievement for Marbel, featuring amongst toy giants Mattel, Hasbro and Steiff in the wishlist. The inclusion of the product demonstrates the growing popularity of the eco-friendly Plan Toys distributed by Marbel.After four years without a toy department, the London store will re-launch the department in August.

The list in full:
Mattel’s Barbie Prima Ballerina
Steiff’s Bobby Bear Russet
Mattel’s Dora the Explorer Prance and Fly Pegasus
Hasbro’s Hulk Smash Hands
Hasbro’s Indiana Jones Roleplay Whip
Hasbro’s In the Night Garden Upsy Daisy in Bed
Schylling’s Retro Bake Set
Drumond Park’s Rubik’s Cube
Plan Toys’ Pull Along Wooden Snail
Wow Wee’s Wrex the Dawg

Source: http://www.toynewsmag.com/news/30122/SELFRIDGES-New-toy-shop-announced
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Plan Toys Green Mind

Green Mind

PlanToys® reaches beyond the factory floor to build environmental and social awareness.

Children Museum
It is a centre for knowledge of toys as well as an institution that provides information on the development of children with nature, society, and the environment. Lighting and power system is generated by solar power.

Sarnsaeng-Arun Foundation
PlanToys® established Sarnsaeng-Arun as a non-profit organization with a mission to promote arts, culture, nature and environment for children and all related group, interested party, participant or interested person.

PlanToys® Conserves the Forest
PlanToys® mission is to restore balance in the natural world, help reduce global warming, and instill a love for nature and the environment in people’s minds through a reforestation program.

Toys for disabled children project
PlanToys® aim is to create toys that enhance the skills of disabled children and to provide them with mental and physical development opportunities.

Healing and Recovery Project
PlanToys® helps uplift the spirits of people affected by natural disasters, such as; Typhoon, Land Slide and Tsunami.

New Plan Toys Parking Garage!

The brand new Plan Toys Parking Garage (PLN-60830) is available to order from Marbel. The new version of the Parking Garage features a couple of changes; The lift now sits in the central pillar and the central pillar has had a small paint job! The new Parking Garage continues to be produced from sustainable rubberwood (as with all Plan Toys) and features three floors of parking space, a heliport, gas station, parking attendant, car wash and car! Visit www.marbel.co.uk for more details!

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