Staying on the ball

Unique in Europe: table soccer for kids.

Anticipation is growing: Just a few months to go until the FIFA World Cup kicks off on 11 June in South Africa. With the summer fairytale of 2006 still vivid in their memories, fans and officials are hoping that this summer will see the same level of jubilation. At the Simba Dickie Group, it’s always soccer season – we are the only notable manufacturer in Europe to still make table soccer games for kids.

Apart from a cuddly toy, a ball is often the very first toy for many children. By rolling the ball back and forth, baby learns to grab, to catch and to observe, and has fun doing it. As soon as they can walk, boys want to play soccer. At four years old, they have a favorite team and want all the matching accessories and toys. From bedclothes, soccer jerseys and scarves to puzzles, card games and soft balls to their own soccer goal: the little soccer fans’ collection of gear grows with age. And of course, the Simba Dickie Group has all these things segment.

In the World Cup year, lots of toy manufacturers will be broadening their range of soccer and "sports" articles. But the Fürth-based company is unrivaled in one field: table soccer. Thanks to Smoby. The French family member was the market leader in this segment long before the takeover in April 2008.

Kick-off – a fi nished table soccer game.

Unique in Europe
20 years ago, there were several companies offering table soccer for kids in Europe, especially in France, Italy and Spain. Little by little, French manufacturer Monneret started to dominate the market. The monopoly was justified. "The quality is unparalleled, and the tables are absolutely sturdy with a wooden body and telescopic legs, so that the kids can’t hurt themselves", says Uwe Weiler, COO of the Simba Dickie Group, describing the high-quality tables. Smoby took over the company and built upon its unique position. Initially, this part of the Smoby company was not included in the spring 2008 takeover. "But then", according Uwe Weiler, "we decided we wanted the table soccer game to round off our product range. And since 2009 we have offered this fantastic free time activity for children again."

The smallest version is the soccer table "Super Cup" for children aged four and above, six-year-olds can enjoy the simple "Challenger" or licensed product "Challenger UEFA Champions League". There are a range of versions on offer for kids aged eight and above, from simple to luxurious, which, with their sturdy combination of plastic and wood, are by no means inferior to the table soccer games for adults.

The flagship is called "L’esprit du jeu" (the joy of playing), measures 144 x 94 x90 centimeters and is recommended for children aged ten and above who not only play every now and again, but want to train regularly. Table soccer is a multifaceted game and is not to be underestimated. Even those who don’t join a table soccer club (see box on the right) will be able to train their dexterity and concentration skills, increase their fi tness and improve their team spirit if they play with three other people.

How a soccer table is made
Just as fascinating as the skills the little players develop at the soccer table is the production of the game equipment. The Simba Dickie Group manufactures the tables in Lons, one of its four Smoby factories in the French département of Jura. There is a little technical marvel in another factory, on a site of 80,000m², which produces the playing fi gures using the special "bi-injection" technique for plastic.

Bar buddies – eight fi gures created in one fell swoop.

The machine, which looks unexceptional from the outside, automatically draws in the raw material, high-quality pellets made from polypropylene, which are purchased from across Europe depending on supply. The players’ torsos are made entirely from recycled material. The shiny metallic jerseys and the skin color are produced from pure white pellets plus two percent coloring. Before the magical process begins, the precisely calculated quantity of raw material and color is taken in. The pellet-coloring mix is melted down and injected into molds inside the machine. Eight fi gures, skewered on a grid, make their way through the belly of the machine until they have taken on the perfect form. After a few minutes, the machine automatically spits out the fi nished little men onto a conveyor belt.

A touch of quality – every player is checked by hand.

An employee picks up every single team member and checks that the technology has worked absolutely fl awlessly. Sometimes, one of the little guys has a rough part, a wonky eye or excess material on his foot. He has no chance of being picked: a faulty soccer player is rejected and melted down again. In the main season, around 22,000 players qualify to play every day. The table legs and the body are produced using the "blow molding" technique. For the "professional" models, wood is also used. The tables are put together at a later stage in assembly.

Waiting for the game – the blue team is ready to go.

Soccer is booming and booming
During the FIFA World Cup from 11 June to 11 July, children around the world who own a table soccer game will be naming the fi gures after their favorite players and recreating the tournament. Smoby Toys is therefore bringing out a great extra
accessory: tiny national jerseys for the players to wear for all teams taking part.

The flagship is called "L`esprit du jeu" (the joy of  playing).