Hornby looks within for rail brand chief

Toy company Hornby has appointed long-serving marketer Simon Kohler to the role of group marketing manager for its model railway brands.

Kohler, who oversees marketing for Hornby train sets in the UK, will now have responsibility for the Hornby International rail brands.

In 2004, the company acquired European model train brand Lima, and it is a co-owner of the Rivarossi, Jouef, Arnold and Pocher ranges. It markets those brands in Germany, France, Italy and the US.

Kohler, one of Hornby’s longest serving employees, will report to group marketing director Josep Pastor. Kohler joined the company as a sales rep in 1978, and became Hornby brand manager in 1981.

He was responsible for both the Hornby and Scalextric brands until 2001 when the marketing operations for the two were split and he was moved to the model railway business. He has also worked on licensing and exhibitions for the company.

In 2005, he and Pastor briefly shared the senior marketing role at the company after Simon Jeffery, the company’s dedicated first marketing director, left for Sega (MW January 27, 2005).