First Gear
First Gear, Inc. is a privately held diecast metal replica manufacturer founded in 1992, producing officially licensed commercial truck, trailer, and construction equipment replicas across multiple scales for adult collectors, corporate fleet operators, and children through direct e-commerce and authorized dealers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersPeosta, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What First Gear does
First Gear, Inc. is a privately held manufacturer of officially licensed diecast metal replica vehicles, founded in 1992 by Rich Knight, Terry Leonard, and Gary Roop and headquartered in Peosta, Iowa. The company produces highly decorated and detailed replicas of commercial trucks (Peterbilt, Kenworth, Mack, Volvo, Freightliner, Western Star, Chevrolet, Ford, General Motors, International), trailers (Fontaine, Heil, Wabash, Polar, Utility, Wilson, Brenner, East, Walinga, Mississippi), and construction equipment (Komatsu), along with branded corporate fleet replicas for Waste Management. Products are offered across five scales (1/25, 1/34, 1/50, 1/64, 1/87) and structured into sub-brands including DCP (Diecast Protocol) with poseable steering and functional accessories, Big Rigs, Legacy Series, Fallen Flag, Red's Favorites, Collector Club, Collector Editions, and the America250 commemorative line.
First Gear's core technology centers on diecast metal manufacturing with custom tooling and imprinting capabilities, extending into plastic, resin, and stamped steel for bespoke products. The DCP protocol differentiates the higher end of the catalog through functional features such as poseable steering, engine detail, and working accessories. Manufacturing is paired with a custom imprinting and decoration service that supports promotional premiums, corporate gifts, dealer incentives, awards, and fundraising products for B2B clients.
The company operates a dual go-to-market: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via firstgearinc.com, complemented by an authorized dealer network with a public dealer locator and "Become a Dealer" program, plus event presence at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) and National Farm Toy Show. Pricing is one-time unit-based, ranging from approximately $67.95 for standard 1/50 scale models to $900 for limited edition multi-unit sets, with most standard models priced in the $100-$150 band. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the company has no venture capital, private equity, or acquisition activity on record.
First Gear firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- First Gear
- Legal name
- First Gear, Inc.
- Website
- https://firstgearonline.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- First Gear, Inc. is a privately held diecast metal replica manufacturer founded in 1992, producing officially licensed commercial truck, trailer, and construction equipment replicas across multiple scales for adult collectors, corporate fleet operators, and children through direct e-commerce and authorized dealers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
First Gear industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Collectible Diecast Models
- NAICS
- Nonferrous Metal Die-Casting Foundries (331523)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- RC Model Kits & Parts (Cars, Drones, Boats, Planes) (CRALAKAI)
Keywords
Where First Gear is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Peosta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
First Gear business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Diecast Replica Sales: One-time purchase sales of diecast metal replica vehicles in various scales (1/25 to 1/87). Products include trucks, trailers, and specialty vehicles with MSRP ranging from approximately $67.95 to $900.00 for limited edition sets.
- Custom Manufacturing Services: Custom imprinting, decorating, and manufacturing services for promotional premiums, incentives, gifts, awards, and fundraising events. Can develop products in diecast metal, plastic, resin, and stamped steel to customer specifications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Diecast Replicas |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Limited Edition Sets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom/Pre-Order Items |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
First Gear product offering
Product offeringCore offering
First Gear designs, manufactures, and sells officially licensed diecast metal replica vehicles — primarily commercial trucks, trailers, and construction/mining equipment — in five scales (1/25, 1/34, 1/50, 1/64, 1/87). Products are sold direct-to-consumer through firstgearinc.com and via an authorized dealer network, with an additional custom imprinting and contract manufacturing service that lets corporate customers brand diecast replicas, toys, and block sets with their own livery.
Product overview
First Gear, Inc. is a manufacturer and retailer of officially licensed diecast metal replica vehicles and toys. The company operates as a single unified product portfolio centered on diecast replicas across multiple scales (1/25, 1/34, 1/50, 1/64, 1/87), with sub-brands including DCP by First Gear (poseable features), Big Rigs (show trucks), Legacy Series, Red's Favorites, and Fallen Flag. Licensed equipment brands include WM (Waste Management) and Komatsu. The product line extends to toys (Block Sets, Lights and Sounds Vehicles) and novelty items. First Gear also offers custom manufacturing services, allowing businesses to imprint branding on diecast replicas, toys, and block sets, with capabilities to produce custom products in diecast metal, plastic, resin, and stamped steel. The company sells directly through its e-commerce platform and through a dealer network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DCP by First Gear: Diecast replicas with poseable steering, engine detail, fully functional accessories
- Big Rigs
- Legacy Series
- Fallen Flag
- Red's Favorites
- Collector Club
- Collector Editions
- America250
Products and services
- DCP by First Gear
Companies that use First Gear
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
First Gear technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
First Gear partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PeterbiltcoreOfficially licensed diecast replica manufacturer producing Peterbilt truck models including Model 389, Model 379, Model 352, Model 351, Model 520, and Model 589. Multiple scales and configurations available.
- KenworthcoreOfficially licensed manufacturer of Kenworth truck replicas including W900L and W900A models in various sleeper configurations.
- Mack TruckscoreLicensed manufacturer producing Mack truck replicas including Anthem, Pinnacle, Granite, and LR models.
- VolvocoreLicensed producer of Volvo truck replicas including VNL 860 model with various configurations.
- FreightlinercoreOfficially licensed manufacturer of Freightliner truck replicas including COE models.
- Western StarcoreLicensed manufacturer of Western Star truck replicas including special editions like the Maximum Overdrive 40th Anniversary model.
- ChevroletcoreLicensed producer of Chevrolet truck replicas including Bison model in various configurations.
- General MotorscoreOfficially licensed manufacturer of GM truck replicas including GMC General model.
- International (Navistar)coreLicensed manufacturer of International brand truck replicas.
- Waste Management (WM)coreLicensed manufacturer producing officially licensed Waste Management branded replicas with authentic details, accessories, and multiple scales.
- KomatsucoreLicensed manufacturer of Komatsu construction and mining equipment replicas including dozers, excavators, wheel loaders, dump trucks, and graders.
- FontainecoreLicensed manufacturer of Fontaine trailer replicas including Renegade LXT40 Lowboy and Magnitude Lowboy models.
- HeilminorLicensed manufacturer of Heil trailer replicas.
- PolarminorLicensed manufacturer of Polar trailer replicas including Deep Drop models.
- WabashminorLicensed manufacturer of Wabash trailer replicas.
- UtilityminorLicensed manufacturer of Utility trailer replicas including Utility Flatbed models.
- WilsonminorLicensed manufacturer of Wilson trailer replicas including Silverstar Livestock Trailer and vintage livestock trailer models.
- WalingaminorLicensed manufacturer of Walinga trailer replicas.
- EastminorLicensed manufacturer of East trailer replicas.
- BrennerminorLicensed manufacturer of Brenner trailer replicas.
- MississippiminorLicensed manufacturer of Mississippi trailer replicas.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
First Gear competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Schuco: Schuco produces high-quality diecast miniature vehicles across many categories (cars, trucks, motorcycles) at 1/87, 1/43, 1/32, and 1/18 scales. Comparable to First Gear on diecast quality and collector-grade miniatures, though with broader European product portfolio.
- Greenlight Collectibles: Greenlight is a larger diecast collectibles manufacturer offering a broad portfolio of licensed cars, trucks, and pop-culture vehicles in 1/64 and 1/18 scales. Overlaps with First Gear on licensed truck replicas and collector distribution but addresses a wider consumer-collectible market.
- ERTL (TOMY): ERTL, a heritage brand under TOMY/Rastar, is a long-established diecast farm toy and truck replica manufacturer. Directly comparable to First Gear on diecast farm toys and trucks, but at significantly larger scale with broader retail distribution and Big Farm toy lines.
Direct peers
- WSI Models: WSI Models manufactures detailed diecast trucks and trailers in 1/50 scale, including licensed replicas of European truck brands. Comparable to First Gear's truck and trailer product line, though primarily serving the European trucking enthusiast market.
- Tonkin Replicas: Tonkin Replicas is a major producer of diecast truck replicas (Peterbilt, Kenworth, Mack) at 1/53 scale. Closely comparable to First Gear's licensed truck catalog and dealer-distribution model, directly competing for collector dollars in the trucking replica category.
- Universal Hobbies: Universal Hobbies produces licensed diecast replicas of agricultural and construction equipment, including tractors and trucks in 1/32 and 1/16 scales. Comparable to First Gear's farm/construction replica offerings and licensing model.
- Diecast Masters: Diecast Masters is a direct competitor producing officially licensed diecast replicas of construction and heavy equipment (Cat, Komatsu) in 1/50 and 1/87 scales. Highly comparable to First Gear's diecast construction replica line, with overlapping scale offerings and licensing-driven model approach.
- SpecCast: SpecCast manufactures diecast replicas focused on farm tractors, implements, and trucks for the collector market. Directly comparable to First Gear's farm toy line and National Farm Toy Show presence, with similar custom imprinting and 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 scale offerings.
- Conrad Modelle: Conrad produces highly detailed diecast replicas of construction equipment (Liebherr, Cat) primarily in 1/50 scale. Comparable product category (licensed diecast construction replicas) with similar collector-focused positioning, though geographically focused on European market.
Emerging players
- M2 Machines: M2 Machines produces diecast vehicle replicas in 1/24, 1/32, and 1/64 scales with focus on classic trucks, muscle cars, and commercial vehicles. Overlaps with First Gear on truck and commercial vehicle replicas, but with broader vehicle categories and release-driven collector model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Customer concentration
First Gear social profiles
Digital presenceFirst Gear financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
First Gear leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
First Gear funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
First Gear M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about First Gear
What does First Gear do?
First Gear designs, manufactures, and sells officially licensed diecast metal replica vehicles — primarily commercial trucks, trailers, and construction/mining equipment — in five scales (1/25, 1/34, 1/50, 1/64, 1/87). Products are sold direct-to-consumer through firstgearinc.com and via an authorized dealer network, with an additional custom imprinting and contract manufacturing service that lets corporate customers brand diecast replicas, toys, and block sets with their own livery.
Is First Gear a public or private company?
First Gear is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was First Gear founded?
First Gear was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is First Gear based?
First Gear is headquartered in Peosta, United States, in the North America region.
How does First Gear make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Diecast Replica Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Manufacturing Services.
Who are First Gear's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Schuco, Greenlight Collectibles and ERTL (TOMY). Direct peers are WSI Models, Tonkin Replicas, Universal Hobbies, Diecast Masters, SpecCast and Conrad Modelle. M2 Machines is listed as an emerging player.
Does First Gear have an API?
No public API is recorded for First Gear.
What industry is First Gear in?
First Gear's product category is Collectible Diecast Models. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAKAI, RC Model Kits & Parts (Cars, Drones, Boats, Planes). Its NAICS code is 331523 and its SIC code is 3944.