Company history
The Klein company has been in existence since 1949 and looks back on an impressive family history. The traditional production of brooms and brushes has a history of success spanning over 150 years in Theo Klein's family – a legacy that has been passed down through generations with great passion and craftsmanship.
First car trunks
Everything about the world of dolls
First toy kitchens
Children's doctor's bag
Theo and Maria Klein
The company was founded in 1949 as a broom and brush factory in Ramberg.
The founding years
The company was founded by Theo and Maria Klein on Hauptstraße in Ramberg, in the heart of the Palatinate Forest, as a broom and brush factory.
Ramberg is an old brush-making village that can look back on a 200-year tradition of brush-making. In addition to individual factories, some of which employed up to 50 people, since around 1890 almost all families in Ramberg have been producing brushes and brooms at home as home-based craftspeople.
Even today, there is a brush-making museum in Ramberg that brings the long tradition of the craft to life. https://www.ramberg.de/burstenbindermuseum/
The brooms were sold by peddlers and traders throughout southern Germany.
The starting point of the success story: In order to stand out from the strong competition of other broom manufacturers in the village, the company Theo Klein brings the first colored children's brooms with plastic bristles onto the market.
Development from 1959 to 1976
Participation in the Nuremberg Toy Fair
Founding of Jouets Klein Sàrl
Claus-Dieter Klein joins the company
New production facility in Ramberg
More toys
1979: Introduction of the product group “Medical devices with function”.
1981: Expansion of the product range to include the product group “doll and care sets”.
1983: Expansion of the product range to include the product group “tools” for preschool children; simultaneous expansion and rounding out of the other product groups.
1989: Expansion of the product range to include the “lawn mower” product group.
Period 1987 to 1998
With the arrival of Martin Klein, a new chapter in the company's history begins. Theo Klein Ltd. was founded in 1989, followed by the establishment of Theo Klein SL in 1993. Between 1993 and 1994, modern production and storage facilities were built, further driving the company's growth. In 1997, a new production facility was built in Landau, and Theo Klein (HK) Limited was founded. Another milestone was reached in 1998: the first licensed products successfully went into production.
Licensed products
The start of production in the Far East and the manufacture of toys under license from strong partners laid the foundation for the company's development and its strong export share. In 2005, a significant increase in sales occurred, which continued steadily in the following years. Following the successful launch of licensed products under the Bosch Mini brand, the company concluded further agreements with well-known license partners, which represent a strong segment of Theo Klein GmbH's current product range.
Development from 2015 - 2023
Dominik Klein joins the company
New warehouse in France
New warehouse in Landau
Lukas Klein joins the company
Own brands
In addition to the strong licensed brands, Theo Klein's own brands also enjoy considerable success, not least due to the company's creative product development:
*Outdoor Fun, Early Steps, Kitchen Party, Styling Star, Professionals, Little Foot, Early Steps, Baby Coralie, We Clean, My Market, Traffic Education