Star (board games)

History

2024: Hobby World bought control at toy maker Zvezda

The largest Russian publisher of board games Hobby World has acquired a controlling stake in the leading manufacturer of prefabricated models and board games Zvezda. As follows from the data of the SPARK-Interfax system, on October 24, 2024, Hobby World, Hobby World JSC, became the owner of 56.25% of Zvezda shares and 66% of its subsidiary World of Hobbies. Shares in these companies were bought from Maria Krivenko, who previously owned shares.

According to Kommersant, according to financial analysts, the deal could reach up to ₽808 million. Experts point out that the main production facilities of Zvezda are focused on the Lobnenskaya plastic toy factory, which was transferred to the company following an investment competition in 1993. Currently, the company produces over 600 titles of prefabricated models and board games, exporting its products to more than 50 countries, including the US and European markets.

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Freepik

Zvezda is one of the largest players in the Russian board game and model market. The 25% stake in Zvezda is still owned by the Austrian Jason Handels GmbH, the remaining shareholders of the company are Olga Krasovskaya and the general director Evgeny Panov, each of whom owns 7.03% of the shares, as well as Sergei Sergeyev and Sergey Shipilov, who own 2.34% each.

Hobby World co-founder Mikhail Akulov said the new deal will allow the company to expand production capacity and increase supply in the game and model market. Akulov noted that Zvezda has significant competencies in the production of plastic components, which makes the company an important asset for expanding the production potential of Hobby World, including the development of capacities in Tver.

Anna Avakimyan, chief financial analyst at Regblock, explained that taking into account the stable operating income, Zvezda can be valued in the range of ₽615 million to ₽805 million for 56.25% of the shares.^[1]

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