Piko
Encyclopedia
PIKO is one of the largest and best-known model train brands in Europe and also enjoys a wide following in the United States and other parts of the world. Altogether, PIKO today manufactures over 1500 different products in the following model train scales:

G-Scale: An extensive line of both American and European-prototype weather-resistant models for indoor and outdoor use, including starter sets, locomotives, passenger and freight cars, track, buildings, controls and accessories.

HO-Scale: An extensive line of European-prototype models including starter sets, locomotives (most in both 2-Rail DC and 3-Rail AC versions), passenger and freight cars, track, buildings, controls and accessories.

N-Scale:
N scale
N scale is a popular model railway scale/track gauge. Depending upon the manufacturer , the scale ranges from 1:148 to 1:160. In all cases, the gauge is . The term N gauge refers to the track dimensions, but in the UK in particular N gauge refers to a 1:148 scale with track gauge modelling...

A growing line of European-prototype models including locomotives, cars and buildings.

TT-Scale: A growing line of European-prototype locomotives and cars.

History
Founded in 1949, PIKO was once a state-owned enterprise in the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), supplying a major share of model trains in Eastern Europe. In 1992, after the reunification of Germany, the company was purchased by PIKO Spielwaren GmbH. PIKO Spielwaren GmbH was founded in April 1992 by Dr. René F. Wilfer, PIKO’s President, who had been working in the toy industry since 1986 and had previously managed a model building company. Dr. Wilfer and his wife Ortrun set about rejuvenating the PIKO brand and building PIKO into a thriving company. Innovation and a keen awareness of market trends remain some of the key contributors to PIKO's success.

Manufacturing
PIKO manufactures its own products, at its headquarters factory in Sonneberg
Sonneberg
Sonneberg is a town in Thuringia, Germany, which is seat of the district Sonneberg.It has long been a centre of toy making and is still well known for this...

(Thueringen) Germany, and at its own factory, PIKO China, in Guangdong, PRC. The entire G-Scale product line is made in Sonneberg. The HO-Scale "Classic" line is also made in Sonneberg. The HO-Scale "Hobby" and "Expert" lines, as well as the N-Scale and TT-Scale lines, are made at PIKO China.

Distribution
In Germany, PIKO products are distributed directly from the firm's headquarters in Sonneberg to a network of retailers. In other countries, PIKO distributors and representatives perform a similar function. In America, sales and distribution to retailers is handled by PIKO America in San Diego, CA. It is a key principle for PIKO that the products should be attractive, affordable and reliably available.

External links

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