It doesn’t have to be Christmas time to see the overwhelming range of items the toy industry encompasses!  In fact, toys as an industry have experienced strong growth for the past 17 years and represent over $20 billion in profitability.  With this strong performance, though, comes a renewed look at the challenges the industry faces, whether that comes from maintaining a supply chain or keeping toys safe in an ever more security-centric world.

In fact, toys, not unlike food products, are extremely vulnerable to brand destruction upon the threat of a recall.  Performance guidelines designed to prevent choking, sharp edges and other hazards (like peeling paint) are still an issue.  The market is also wide open, allowing for start-ups to enter the space and make a profit instantly (think fidget spinners!).

Great equipment can ensure not only quality of the product, but consistent performance as well.  For example, when it comes to coloring plastics, those signature branded shades are important to get just right.  So, too, a product shouldn’t lose color when it hits the market, or even worse, chip off and trigger a recall!  When processing plastics, a Komax Special Introduction and Distribution Device can introduce and mix colorants in a melt stream – the most difficult of all mixing tasks – to ensure high-resolution capability.  Innovative design takes into account the shear sensitivity of polymeric materials and creates quality batches of product every time.

Getting an edge in this multi-billion dollar industry is easy.  But keeping your position once your product launches, well, that’s harder.  You need equipment that offers consistency and accuracy.  Product testing and safety protocol will still play a big role in the toy industry for years to come.  But with consistent and high quality equipment, you can be assured that the right product will emerge every time.