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Hobbico picks up three new radio-control lines

Article Source: The News-Gazette

Fri, 01/13/2012 – 12:00pm | The News-Gazette

CHAMPAIGN — Hobbico has acquired three new lines of radio-controlled cars — one from California and the other two from the United Kingdom.

The Champaign-based manufacturer and marketer of model hobby products announced this week that it had acquired Irvine, Calif.-based Axial Racing, which focuses on rock-crawling and rock-racing products.

Axial, with a staff of 17, will continue to operate from Irvine as a Hobbico subsidiary. Axial was founded in 2005.

Hobbico also acquired Team Durango and ARRMA, which are known for radio-control racing and ready-to-run vehicles.

Both are based in Ashby, England. With a staff of 11, they will continue to operate from there as a Hobbico subsidiary.

Team Durango holds world and national championship titles, according to a Hobbico release.

Hobbico, with offices at 1608 Interstate Drive, C, sells products through several subsidiaries, including Great Planes Model Distributors, Estes, Revell-United Model and Tower Hobbies.

The company employs 600 in Champaign, Urbana and Elk Grove Village, plus 70 at a distribution center in Reno, Nev., and 40 at an Estes facility in Penrose, Colo.

Hobbico’s products include radio-controlled models, plastic model kits, rockets and other hobby products.