Getting my own design teddy manufactured

baldtooyoung

Hello,not sure if right place to post but has anyone here ever had their own design teddy bear manufactured in Ireland or Europe?

Maybe I haven't got the grasp of the whole Google thing yet,but I can't find any company thats not Chinese or in the far east.

I know everything is cheaper over there but so many toy safety eu legislations,it could be more harm than good.

Hope someone can help.

CelticRambler

It depends on your market. If you're going for a "standard" cuddly toy for children, then I doubt any EU manufacturer can produce a bear at the right price. I know of two bear manufacturers - one "factory" workshop up the road here in France, who charge a minimum of 75€ per small bear; and one specialist maker in England who'd probably charge about 2000€!

I'm sure there are others who would offer the service for less, but it's been a long time since I've seen any stuffed toy made "locally" that isn't very expensive, which must reflect the underlying manufacturing cost.

baldtooyoung

CelticRambler wrote: »

It depends on your market. If you're going for a "standard" cuddly toy for children, then I doubt any EU manufacturer can produce a bear at the right price. I know of two bear manufacturers - one "factory" workshop up the road here in France, who charge a minimum of 75€ per small bear; and one specialist maker in England who'd probably charge about 2000€!

I'm sure there are others who would offer the service for less, but it's been a long time since I've seen any stuffed toy made "locally" that isn't very expensive, which must reflect the underlying manufacturing cost.

Thanks for the reply,75euro per bear.geaney mac!
Maybe I should just charge 200 when i sell them on.haha.

It's mad,I didn't think almost all toy and stuff toy manufacturing had gone to the east.

Has anyone here experience in getting a stuff toy manufactured over in China?

jimmii

I'm getting one done at the moment it's a slow slow process! It's a UK based company but not 100% sure where they manufacture them I cam check tomorrow.

baldtooyoung

jimmii wrote: »

I'm getting one done at the moment it's a slow slow process! It's a UK based company but not 100% sure where they manufacture them I cam check tomorrow.

Nice one.
when you say one,do you mean one?just for yourself?

Or one of your designs manufactured?

nosilver

Probably keying in wrong search terms.

Try "plush toys manufacturer UK"

Several companies come up including http://www.metrosofttoys.co.uk/about/

baldtooyoung

nosilver wrote: »

Probably keying in wrong search terms.

Try "plush toys manufacturer UK"

Several companies come up including http://www.metrosofttoys.co.uk/about/

Thank you very very much.if I can't find them,how can I sell them?haha.

You are a legend,I will check in the morning as I'm at work now.thanks again.

CelticRambler

nosilver wrote: »

Try "plush toys manufacturer UK"

Several companies come up including http://www.metrosofttoys.co.uk/about/

Yeah, but be careful - their production is in China, and you'll be paying in GBP. That's two currency exchanges that could be affected by the current/future Brexit shennanigans. If you're going to end up with a Chinese producer, try and deal (more) directly.

Here's one in Meath (searching soft toy manufacturer ireland) http://zakssofttoys.com/index.php?p=9 (I know absolutely nothing about them - just giving an example!)

... or in France (fabricant peluche)
https://peluche-sur-mesure.com/ ( from 2€60 +VAT ...??? :eek: )

And I forgot that I know another hand-maker https://www.mpeluches.fr/
I've seen (and felt ) her work and can attest to its quality. If you want guaranteed made-in-the-EU and are not looking for industrial quantities, it might be worth an enquiry (happy to help if you need assistance with translation)

jimmii

baldtooyoung wrote: »

Nice one.
when you say one,do you mean one?just for yourself?

Or one of your designs manufactured?

Getting a 1000 units as long as the sample is OK. Used to use a Swedish company but they let us down big time this year! When we were looking pretty much all the toy suppliers will do it for you if you're getting the volume we were able to get a lot of quotes.

baldtooyoung

Thanks very much everyone who has posted here.ye have been a great help.really appreciate it.

thesandeman

There is/was a company based in Connemara (possibly Carraroe) who make Irish speaking teddys. Bábog might be the name. They retail for about €30 so the production cost must have been reasonable.
Might be worth looking them up if they're still around.

baldtooyoung

baldtooyoung wrote: »

Hello,not sure if right place to post but has anyone here ever had their own design teddy bear manufactured in Ireland or Europe?

Maybe I haven't got the grasp of the whole Google thing yet,but I can't find any company thats not Chinese or in the far east.

I know everything is cheaper over there but so many toy safety eu legislations,it could be more harm than good.

Hope someone can help.

Perhaps contact the likes of the beenie baby manufacturers TY and ask them without giving too much of your idea away if you know what i mean.

Perhaps also get a few samples from Chinese companies (not necessarily of your design either) and test the stitching and finishing yourself.

See what quality assurances they have in place, what regulations they meet, if they have big clients and also what confidentiality assurances for yourself.

Try a couple of long term gold suppliers on Alibaba maybe? Now i cant guarantee that's a watertight stamp of approval but its something and you have two choices here and that is to continue sitting on the idea or take the next step to make things happen.

Im actually designing a figurine in china at the moment so i very much feel your dilemma. Its a long and windy road.

My first big mistake was actually going to an Irish prototype and design company.
I wasted alot of time and money and have just screenshots to show for it. At the moment i am in the process of finalising a production lot over there having availed the services of a fellow boardsie.

I wish you the very best of luck in your ventures and if you ever want any advice don't be a stranger and drop me a PM.

baldtooyoung

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Perhaps contact the likes of the beenie baby manufacturers TY and ask them without giving too much of your idea away if you know what i mean.

Perhaps also get a few samples from Chinese companies (not necessarily of your design either) and test the stitching and finishing yourself.



See what quality assurances they have in place, what regulations they meet, if they have big clients and also what confidentiality assurances for yourself.

Try a couple of long term gold suppliers on Alibaba maybe? Now i cant guarantee that's a watertight stamp of approval but its something and you have two choices here and that is to continue sitting on the idea or take the next step to make things happen.

Im actually designing a figurine in china at the moment so i very much feel your dilemma. Its a long and windy road.

My first big mistake was actually going to an Irish prototype and design company.
I wasted alot of time and money and have just screenshots to show for it. At the moment i am in the process of finalising a production lot over there having availed the services of a fellow boardsie.

I wish you the very best of luck in your ventures and if you ever want any advice don't be a stranger and drop me a PM.

Great post tipp gunner,really appreciate it.i am meeting the two lads that I'm going into business with Thursday evening so I will relay all this information.
Although a very stressful time,I've never been more excited in my life.thanks very much