Heller SA

Lore & Background

Heller was established in Paris in 1957 by Léo Jahiel, who had previously worked at SOMAP, a plastics company. The company's first model kit, a 1/100 scale Sud Aviation Caravelle, was produced the following year. In 1972, Heller joined with Solido, Jouef, and Delacoste to form 'Le Jouet Français,' but the group went into liquidation in 1980 and was placed under court-directed administration in May 1981. The company was broken up, with Majorette buying Solido, Vullierme acquiring Delacoste, and Jouef bought back by a subsidiary of the CEJI group.

In 1981, Heller was acquired by the Hobby Products Group of Borden, Inc., owners of British model company Humbrol. Airfix joined the group in 1986, and production of Airfix kits moved to the Heller factory in Trun. The group was acquired by Irish investment company Allen, McGuire & Partners in 1994, receiving 31 million francs of investment. Heller re-branded as Heller SA in 1999 and acquired French toy manufacturer Joustra alongside the Thirion group. The company went into administration again in 2006, and in July 2006 it was put into receivership. Hornby PLC bought Airfix and Humbrol in November 2006 but not Heller or its factory. By January 2007, Heller SA was transferred to MANOP under Benjamin Leneman and slowly returned to profitability over the next seven years.

In 2016, Heller SA again faced financial trouble due to cash flow problems and a decline in consumption related to the November attacks. The Commercial Court of Argentan approved its acquisition by Maped in March 2016, with Maped and entrepreneur Alain Bernard investing 3.5 million euros. In March 2019, Heller was acquired by German company Glow2B, which had been the distributor of Joustra and Heller products in Germany, with production continuing in both France and Germany.

Reader's Guide

Heller SA's significance lies in its long-standing role as a French manufacturer of plastic scale model kits, contributing to the hobbyist market for over six decades. Despite repeated financial difficulties and changes in ownership—including periods under Borden, Allen McGuire & Partners, and Maped—the company has persisted, maintaining production facilities in France and later Germany. Its acquisition by Glow2B in 2019 marked a continuation of its legacy under German distribution. The company's history reflects broader trends in the European toy and model industry, including consolidation (as with Le Jouet Français) and the impact of economic and social events, such as the 2015 November attacks in France. Heller's survival through multiple administrations and restructurings underscores its resilience and the enduring appeal of its product line, which includes iconic aircraft, vehicles, and ships. The company's founder, Léo Jahiel, was recognized with the Légion d'honneur in 1977 for his professional activity, highlighting his contribution to the industry.

Did You Know?

• Heller's first model kit was a 1/100 scale Sud Aviation Caravelle, produced in 1958.
• Founder Léo Jahiel was made a member of the Légion d'honneur by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in 1977.
• In 1994, Heller received 31 million francs of investment from Allen, McGuire & Partners.
• Heller was acquired by German company Glow2B in March 2019, which had been its distributor in Germany.