Corgi

What Corgi does

Corgi is a UK-based die-cast collectibles brand founded in 1956, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hornby Hobbies Limited (LSE: HNY). The company produces highly detailed scale model vehicles, aircraft, military hardware, buses, and naval vessels across multiple sub-brands including Aviation Archive (1:72 and 1:48 scale military aircraft), Vanguards (1:43 scale cars), Military Legends, Original Omnibus (1:76 buses), Naval Power, and Flying Aces. Manufacturing incorporates LiDAR scanning technology for full-size vehicle and aircraft replication accuracy, electrostatic painting for finish quality, and pad painting for lettering and logos applied directly to the die-cast surface.

The commercial model operates across three revenue streams: direct-to-consumer sales of die-cast models through the owned corgi.co.uk e-commerce platform and a global network of over 3,000 stockists; a B2B promotional products division (Corgi Premiums) offering customization across 7,000+ vehicle designs for corporate clients; and a subscription service (Corgi Model Club) delivering exclusive monthly re-issues at £24.99 per month with member discounts of 25-45% off RRP. The product portfolio is anchored by licensed partnerships with James Bond/EON, Warner Bros. (Harry Potter, Batman), Paramount (Star Trek), ITV (Thunderbirds), Aardman (Wallace & Gromit), Apple Corps (The Beatles), and automotive manufacturers including Ford, Aston Martin, McLaren, and Jaguar Land Rover.

Corgi serves three distinct customer segments: collectors and hobbyists (the primary D2C segment, ranging from nostalgic baby boomers to new collectors), B2B clients through Corgi Premiums (corporate clients, retailers, museums, and charities), and children/families through accessible product lines like CORGI Chunkies. Distribution is global, with e-commerce shipping to over 83 countries, premium retail partnerships including Harrods and Selfridges, and museum shop channels including the British Museum and London Transport Museum. The brand's headquarters operates from Margate, UK under Hornby Hobbies Limited.

Name

Corgi

Legal name

Hornby Hobbies Limited

Website

https://corgi.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Corgi is a UK die-cast collectibles brand (founded 1956) operating as a subsidiary of Hornby Hobbies, producing scale model vehicles, aircraft, and licensed pop-culture collectibles for collectors, hobbyists, and B2B promotional clients globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Margate

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Die-cast Model Product Sales: One-time purchase revenue from selling die-cast collectable vehicles, aircraft, and related models directly to consumers and through retail channels. Products include limited edition runs that often sell out within weeks of release.
2. Corgi Model Club Subscription: Monthly subscription service delivering exclusive re-issue Corgi Toys to members' doors. Offers member discounts of 25-45% off RRP. No membership fee - customers pay only for models purchased.
3. Corgi Premiums B2B Promotional Products: Business-to-business promotional division providing customized die-cast models for brand promotions, branded retail merchandise, product launch premiums, and event giveaways. Offers over 7,000 vehicle designs for customization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Corgi manufactures and sells licensed and original die-cast scale model vehicles, aircraft and other collectibles across multiple product lines (Aviation Archive, Vanguards, Military Legends, Original Omnibus, Naval Power, Flying Aces, Corgi Toys) and Pop Culture franchises (James Bond, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Batman, Thunderbirds, Wallace & Gromit). The company sells directly via its e-commerce site, distributes through 3,000+ global stockists, runs a collector subscription service (Corgi Model Club), and operates a B2B promotional products business (Corgi Premiums) that customises over 7,000 vehicle designs for corporate clients.

Product overview

Corgi is a premium die-cast collectibles company founded in 1956, now owned by Hornby Hobbies. The core product offering consists of die-cast model vehicles across multiple scales (1:12 to 1:76), with distinct sub-brands including Aviation Archive (1:72 and 1:48 military aircraft), Vanguards (1:43 scale cars), Military Legends (military vehicles), Original Omnibus (1:76 buses), Naval Power (ships), Flying Aces (aviation), and Corgi Toys (classic reissues). The Pop Culture licensed collection includes James Bond, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Batman, Thunderbirds, Wallace & Gromit, The Beatles, and more. The company operates a subscription service (Corgi Model Club) offering exclusive monthly collectibles with up to 45% member discounts, and a B2B division (Corgi Premiums) for branded promotional merchandise. Additional offerings include the Hobby Rewards loyalty program across Hornby Hobbies brands and various gift ranges organized by theme (Ford, Space Exploration, Red Arrows) and decade. Products are distributed globally through the online store, third-party retailers, and over 83 stockists worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Corgi Model Club (CMC): Subscription service offering exclusive die-cast model reissues of vintage Corgi Toys. Formed in 2021, became part of Hornby family in 2024. Models are crafted especially for members with unique features based on Corgi Toys of the past.
• Corgi Premiums

Products and services

• Aviation Archive Die-cast aircraft model range featuring 1:72 and 1:48 scale military aircraft models with highly-detailed replicas and display options, intended for adult collectors and aviation enthusiasts.
• Vanguards 1:43 scale die-cast model car range spanning multiple decades, meticulously researched with accurate replicas including backstories, liveries, and special features for adult vehicle collectors and modellers.
• Military Legends Die-cast military vehicle models focusing on historically significant military vehicles for collectors and military history enthusiasts.
• Original Omnibus 1:76 scale die-cast bus models from the Original Omnibus Company series, designed for transport and bus enthusiasts.
• Naval Power Die-cast naval vessel models featuring military ships and maritime vehicles for collectors.
• Flying Aces Die-cast aircraft models featuring famous flying aces and historical aviation figures for collectors of military aviation memorabilia.
• Corgi Toys Classic die-cast toy vehicle range including historical reissues and original tooling models, serving as Corgi's core heritage line since 1956.
• James Bond 007 Collection Licensed die-cast models featuring vehicles from James Bond films under EON Production / Danjaq / MGM licence, including the iconic Aston Martin DB5 with ejector seat and machine guns.
• Star Trek Collection Die-cast Star Trek models featuring highly detailed replicas in special presentation boxes, including USS Enterprise and other vehicles from the franchise under Paramount licence.
• Harry Potter Collection Die-cast models inspired by the Harry Potter film franchise under Warner Bros. Consumer Products licensing.
• Batman Collection DC Comics Batman-inspired die-cast models including the famous Batmobile, licensed from Warner Bros. (the 1966 Batmobile is one of the top-selling Corgi models of all time, reaching 5M units).
• Thunderbirds Collection Die-cast models of the iconic rescue vehicles from the Gerry Anderson puppet series Thunderbirds, licensed from ITV Ventures Limited.
• Wallace & Gromit Collection Die-cast vehicle models inspired by Aardman's Wallace & Gromit animated films, featuring iconic vehicles including motorcycles with sidecars under Aardman Animations licensing.
• The Beatles Collection Die-cast models featuring The Beatles and related merchandise under Apple Corps licensing.
• Corgi Model Club Monthly subscription service delivering exclusive re-issue die-cast collectibles based on vintage Corgi Toys. Members receive discounts of 25-45% off RRP, with no mandatory membership fee - customers pay only for models purchased.
• Corgi Premiums Business-to-business promotional division offering customised die-cast models for brand promotions, branded retail merchandise, product launch premiums, and event giveaways. Choose from over 7,000 vehicle designs or create exclusive custom models. Serves Harrods, Selfridges, Cadbury, RNLI, and The British Museum. Operates from UK and Hong Kong offices.
• Ford Gift Range Gift range featuring Ford-branded die-cast models under Ford Motor Company licensing.
• Space Exploration Gift Range Space-themed die-cast models featuring spacecraft and space exploration vehicles.
• CORGI Chunkies Pre-school line of die-cast toy vehicles covering lorries, tanks, construction vehicles and more, targeted at young children and introducing them to die-cast collecting.
• Iron Maiden Collection Die-cast replicas and merchandise inspired by the Iron Maiden heavy metal band as part of Corgi's pop culture licensed lines.
• Motörhead Collection Die-cast replicas and merchandise inspired by the Motörhead rock band as part of Corgi's pop culture licensed lines.
• Shaun the Sheep Collection Die-cast models and merchandise inspired by Aardman's Shaun the Sheep animated franchise.
• Paddington Bear Collection Die-cast models and merchandise inspired by the Paddington Bear franchise as part of Corgi's pop culture licensed lines.
• Aardman Collection Die-cast models and merchandise inspired by Aardman Animations' broader catalogue of characters and properties.
• The Red Arrows Gift Range Gift range featuring Red Arrows display team aircraft die-cast models under UK Ministry of Defence licensing.
• Spitfire Gift Range Gift range featuring Spitfire die-cast model aircraft, building on Corgi's aviation heritage.
• Water Vessels Die-cast water vessel models including military ships and boats for collectors of maritime memorabilia.
• Motorcycle Models (including 1:12 Scale Triumph Scrambler 1200) Die-cast motorcycle models including the new 1:12 scale range, such as the Triumph Scrambler 1200 featured in the James Bond film 'No Time To Die', and motorcycles with sidecars in Wallace & Gromit collections.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 65,000 models sold in first year (1956)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered premium and core.

• HarrodspremiumChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive limited edition die-cast models sold through Harrods premium retail locations as part of branded retail merchandise programme.
• SelfridgespremiumChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive limited edition models for Selfridges retail range as part of branded retail merchandise programme.
• The British MuseumcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLimited edition models included in museum retail range for visitors and collectors.
• RNLI (Sales) LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRNLI name and logo are trademarks used under license from RNLI (Sales) Ltd for branded merchandise supporting the lifeboat charity.

Scale indicators7 records

Direct peers

• Spark Models: Spark Models produces high-end resin and die-cast scale models of racing and road cars, directly comparable to Corgi's premium Vanguards and Aviation Archive collector offerings.
• Matchbox: Matchbox, now owned by Mattel, is Corgi's historic direct rival in die-cast model vehicles, with comparable licensed vehicle programs and a similar collector enthusiast base, particularly for British-market models.
• Mattel (Hot Wheels): Mattel's Hot Wheels brand is the global leader in die-cast toy cars and the most direct competitor to Corgi's core product line, competing for both children's and adult collector demand across the same scale ranges Corgi occupies.
• Maisto (Bburago): Maisto and its sister brand Bburago produce licensed die-cast scale model cars, motorcycles, and bikes at multiple scales — direct overlap with Corgi's Vanguards and Aviation Archive product lines.
• AUTOart: AUTOart is a Hong Kong-based premium die-cast scale model maker producing high-end replicas in 1:12, 1:18, and 1:43 — competing for the same premium collector wallet share as Corgi's limited edition lines.
• Minichamps: Minichamps is a German die-cast manufacturer of detailed scale model cars, trucks, and racing vehicles in 1:12, 1:18, and 1:43 scales — directly comparable to Corgi's Vanguards 1:43 range in product positioning and collector audience.
• Kyosho: Kyosho is a Japanese die-cast and RC vehicle maker with comparable scale model car lines (1:18, 1:43) targeting international collectors — overlapping with Corgi's collector market outside the UK.
• Welly Die-Cast: Welly is a Hong Kong-based die-cast model manufacturer with comparable licensed vehicle lines (F1, road cars, motorcycles) competing with Corgi in the same 1:18 to 1:43 scale segments at lower price points.

Broad incumbents

• Hornby (sibling brand): Hornby is Corgi's parent company and operates model railways under the same Hornby Hobbies group. While not a die-cast competitor, it shares distribution, e-commerce, marketing, and Hobby Rewards infrastructure with Corgi, making it the most operationally comparable entity.
• Airfix (sibling brand): Airfix is a sibling brand under Hornby Hobbies producing plastic scale model kits (aircraft, military vehicles). It shares the Corgi collector demographic, model military aircraft subject matter, and Hornby e-commerce platform, making it directly adjacent in the model collectibles category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/corgi
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/officialcorgi
• Facebookfacebook.com/corgidiecast
• Instagraminstagram.com/corgi_official/?hl=en

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Corgi