John Toys - Bälle + Starlight Stage

Messe.TV visits the John stand. In addition to the classic "balls" in all conceivable varieties, John Toys will also be celebrating a world premiere at the toy fair this year - we are excited! Presenter Klas Bömecke in conversation with Susanne John, one of the managing directors of the owner-managed family business.

John Toys – Novelties Spielwarenmesse 2016

Klas Bömecke: My next stop is the John family business. A real traditional name in the business-to-business sector. This company not only has an enormous range, but Susanne John, who I am about to meet, one of the managing directors, has already told me in advance that she has a little sensation up her sleeve for me.

Klas Bömecke: Ms. John, we are in the area of your licensed products. You have quite a few brands on board. You can find "Star Wars" everywhere at the trade fair and I also know "Fireman Sam" from the children's room. But I haven't seen this yet. (Points to a glittering ball) Susanne John: This is the new license from Disney "Finding Dory", the successor to "Finding Nemo". These are really great balls filled with water. They have glitter, they shine and they light up. That's a highlight. A fun product. We also have this with "Fireman Sam", only without water, but with LED light. It glitters when it hits the floor. Klas Bömecke: Anything that glitters and flashes is always a hit with the kids, of course. You have a lot of licenses on board, don't you? Susanne John: We are primarily a Disney licensee. Our focus is clearly on Disney. We have a Europe-wide license for our core products. Other licenses such as "Fireman Sam", "Paw Patrol", "Masha and the Bear", "Minions" and we will soon be bringing in "Trolls" from Dreamworks. Klas Bömecke: And you have one or two other core areas in addition to the licensed products?

John Toys – everything around the ball

Susanne John: The core area is our balls. Everything to do with the ball. Klas Bömecke: I think that's an important thing. Will you be making a lot of sales during the European Championships? Susanne John: We call it a typical ball year. When we have a European Championship or World Cup every two years.

Klas Bömecke: And you can also feel that in the sales curves? Susanne John: We can feel it, in a positive sense. Klas Bömecke: I can also see some very striking logos on the balls. These should also have a good effect on sales, right? Susanne John: Yes, we are licensees of the German Football Association. Klas Bömecke: You also work with real connoisseurs. It says here: "Recommended by world champion Paul Breitner". How does that come about? Susanne John: Mr. Breitner was born and grew up in Freilassing. We know him personally and this has led to a collaboration. Every now and then we introduce him to new leather balls, which he inspects and then recommends. Klas Bömecke: It's very light and feels great. It's also very bouncy. (Plays with the ball, kicks it upwards with his foot and almost hits the exhibition shelves) I'd rather break off before I wreck their furniture. But it's a very nice ball. You also told me that balls have a long tradition at your company. The company has been around for 90 years, how long have you been making balls? Susanne John: Over 50 years, still in Freilassing, with 100 employees. Klas Bömecke: They are all still made in Germany? Susanne John: Yes, everything is made in Germany. Klas Bömecke: Nothing is flown in from Asia?

PVC play and sports balls made in Germany

Susanne John: No, not the PVC play and sports balls. Klas Bömecke: I think that's great. You told me earlier that you have something very special for me? Susanne John: Yes, our light and sound tents. Klas Bömecke: I'm excited. It's purple, it glitters - we're definitely in the realm of girls' dreams. Susanne John: This is our new "Starlight Stage" with Violetta. It's a well-known Disney theme and has its world premiere today. We are presenting it for the first time, we have applied for a worldwide patent for these products. These are tents in the shape of a stage. With disco lights, with a chain of lights and we hope to bring a lot of joy to the little girls.

Klas Bömecke: The great opera experience comes directly into the children's room, so to speak. Susanne John: That's right. All the big Disney themes now include a lot of music and singing. The little girls know it, can sing along and then act it out. Klas Bömecke: Do you have high hopes for this product this season? Susanne John: Yes, in this product. We call it "Starlight Stage" and we have three others. "My Starlight Home", "My Starlight Palace" and "My PopUp Light On. Different tent shapes, but all equipped with light.

John Toys – Starlight Stage

Klas Bömecke: Always the principle: with light, with disco balls. Susanne John: Similar principles, yes (smiles). Klas Bömecke: And also with motifs on them? Susanne John: Everything with Disney at the moment.

Klas Bömecke: Okay, okay (nods). As the father of a daughter, how much do I have to spend if I want to buy this? Susanne John: The complete set between 49 and 59 euros. Klas Bömecke: That's bearable. If it turns out to be the next Helene Fischer. It's quickly forgotten (laughs). I'll keep my fingers crossed that it will be a success. Susanne John: Thank you very much. Klas Bömecke: Thank you very much, Ms. John. For showing us around.