The famous pedal tractors from “Rolly Toys” have been rolling around German farms for decades – but that will soon be over.
The well-known German toy manufacturer Franz Schneider GmbH & Co. KG, the one behind the cult brand “Rolly Toys” stands, closes its gates. On December 31, 2026, production at the headquarters in Neustadt near Coburg in Bavaria will finally cease.
Rolly Toys is closing down: so many employees are losing their jobs
For the more than 110 employees This decision means the loss of their job, which is a particularly serious blow for the many long-term employees.
The closure is the result of a months-long battle for survival. Since the beginning of the year, the company has been in self-administration insolvency proceedings with the aim of restructuring operations and securing a future for the location.
But the intensive search for an investor who wanted to continue production in Germany was unsuccessful. According to management, the high production and energy costs in this country ultimately deterred potential investors (source: Franconian day).
Rolly Toys: The brand lives on
A little consolation for fans of robust children’s vehicles: The “Rolly Toys” brand itself should not disappear from the market. Managing director Frank Schneider explained that there were two interested parties who would like to continue manufacturing the popular pedal tractors, go-karts and sleds. However, production will take place at other locations in order to keep the brand competitive. This marks the end of an era at the home location.
The reasons for the economic difficulties are diverse. The decisive blow to the company was the sudden loss of its second-largest customer in 2025. Added to this were the sharp rise in prices for energy and materials, burdensome US tariffs on the important export business and growing competitive pressure from cheaper manufacturers from Asia. This combination of external factors ultimately led to insolvency.
The factory in Neustadt marks the end of an almost 90-year company history that began in 1938 and has made children’s hearts beat faster since 1966 with the first pedal tractor. The end is particularly hard on the workforce, many of whom are between 50 and 62 years old. For them, finding a new job becomes a challenge. As a small gesture, the management is working on a bonus for everyone who stays loyal to the company until the last day.