Bburago

Originally set up as Martoys in 1974, Bburago produced diecast models in Burago di Molgora, Italy, between 1976 and 2005. The second 'B' in the name apparently refers to the Besana family, three brothers from which founded the company. They had previously operated the Mebetoys company which they ultimately sold to Mattel. Bburago made models in a variety of scales, particularly 1:43, 1:24 and 1:18; in the latter they dominated the market until the mid 1990s when East Asian manufactured brands began to catch up. Bburago struggled to compete and eventually called in the receivers in 2005. Bburago was purchased by May Cheong, owners of Maisto, and Bburago was relaunched in 2007 and continues as a brand although now manufactured in Thailand and China.