Surrey firm named Toy Company of the Year
After a highly successful 2009, Cheam toy company, Flair Plc, is celebrating having been given a coveted award by its industry peers at the annual Toy Fair in London this week - when it was named Toy Company of the Year.
Flair, based in Cheam, was presented with the award at the annual Toy Industry Awards ceremony which was held at the Banqueting Suite in Whitehall on the opening night of London Toy Fair. The award is one of the most prestigious in the annual toy calendar and was the pinnacle of several awards Flair received during the fair - having also receiving the award for Girls’ Toy of the Year (Sylvanian Families Caravan and Car) plus three Toy Fair Awards for best products at the show.
The award, voted for by the UK’s toy retailers, recognises many aspects of toy supplying - quality of service, ability to meet demand and of course excellent products. It was presented to Peter Brown, CEO of Flair Plc by Toy Retailers Association Chairman, Gary Grant.
On receiving the award, Peter Brown commented:
“The whole team at Flair is delighted to have their hard work and pursuit of excellence recognised by the people who really count – our customers. In a tough year Flair increased its sales to all our customers by an amazing 80%, an achievement that far exceeded our most optimistic forecast.”
During the ceremony Flair also received the award for Girls’ Toy of Year for the highly acclaimed Sylvanian Families Caravan and Car – one of the best selling toys of 2009. This award was presented to Flair’s Marketing Director, Lindsay Hardy.
The two Toy Industry Awards came on the back of three further awards given to Flair on the first morning of the show. The BTHA Toy Fair Awards are for new toys for the coming year and are presented to a select few products in different categories. Three new products from Flair were chosen: the Zubber Band Maker for creative play, the GX Skate Collection for boys’ toys and a further award for Sylvanian Families for its new Woodland Bus in the girls’ toys category. This hat trick of awards made Flair the biggest award winner at the fair.