Tonkin Replicas has been developing and producing top quality scale models for more than 25 years. Its history goes back even further to the 1970s when Jack Tonkin took his first steps in the scale model industry. Erik Anderson took over the baton in 2000, expanding the company into becoming the absolute market leader in North America.
Originally, the main focus of Tonkin Replicas was truck and trailer models. However, Tonkin Replicas in 2013 succeeded in obtaining the Caterpillar license and the company now aims to set the standard in the construction machinery sector.
Tonkin Replicas, which has its head office in Seattle, is entering into a joint venture for this purpose with Industrial Merchandising Concepts B.V. from Montfoort in the Netherlands.
The people behind Industrial Merchandising Concepts BV earned their ranks in the scale model industry and have vast experience and background in this field. One of the intentions of the joint venture, Tonkin Replicas Europe, is to distribute the brand new Caterpillar program as well as the full range of Tonkin Replicas truck and trailer models. The working area will be Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
That means Tonkin Replicas now can provide Caterpillar fans and collectors their favorite Caterpillar scale models all over the globe.
It is clear to everyone that since Tonkin Replicas started with producing Caterpillar scale models they have not been standing still. In fact after the first announcement in 2013 of a large wheel loader program there are currently almost 30 Caterpillar scale models of all machine types in the 1:50th and 1:87th range available or in the pipeline to be released.
In addition, also Kobelco, Link Belt, Nooteboom, KAMAG and Nicoloas have been added to the program. Because some of these manufacturers use Caterpillar components, such as Engines in their 1:1 machines, we are also waiting anxiously what surprises this are going to bring.
In addition, now appear on a regular basis versions in corporate colors of the above machines including wellknown companies like Mammoet and the Vinci Group.
Furthermore the close collaboration with the Dutch company Tekno, known worldwide for their excellent truck and trailers in 1:50th scale, since the beginning of 2014, has certainly contributed to a higher quality and detail of the scale models Tonkin Replicas the coming period will be released and then be available at your local store or on-line webshop for construction scale models.
All you and I have to do is being (im!)patient for the next model to be released and can be add to our collection.
Tonkin Replicas was this year for the second time present with a stand at the International Toy Fair aka Spielwarenmesse from January 28 to February 2, 2015, in Nuremberg.
Friend, Caterpillar scale model collector and professional photographer Thomas Wilk was willing to make, so that those who, like me, were not able to visit the Toy Fair live, an Exclusive Caterpillar photo report in the Tonkin Replicas Booth so we can taste the atmosphere and get a glimps of all the beauty that awaits us in 2015.
Curious? Click on the photo!
![]() Caterpillar 568 LL Log Loader | ![]() Caterpillar 555D Skidder | ![]() Caterpillar 568 GF Road Builder |