In 1972, 20 or so friends were searching for a way of life and employment. They found an old mill that had fallen into ruin and renovated it so that their families could move in. There they lived communally. The group started to make creative crafts and decorative objects like lamps, jewellery, and screen printing.
1972
In 1975, the Moulin Roty workshop created a small wooden car, with soft foam and fabric. This car was such a success at trade shows and markets, that Moulin Roty received an order for 1500 small cars. This encouraged the group to change their direction and make products for the toy and nursery market. Later in 1975, a whole range of toys was designed with the small car, including wooden and fabric rocking toys. These toys were a huge success.
1975
Also in 1975, Moulin Roty’s first soft doll was created. It made its mark on the history of Moulin Roty toys and the world of childhood with soft colours and fabrics. Over time this doll was reinvented as a rabbit, a mouse, and an elf, all of which contributed to the fame and success of the brand in France.
1975
The unique original skills of the Moulin Roty workshop in the area of screen printing and woodworking helped them to produce more decorative products for nurseries and children’s bedrooms. Items such as wooden paintings, height charts, clocks and small stack up toys were popular.
1978
The founding members of Moulin Roty decided in 1980 to form a cooperative. The purpose of this decision was to ensure the values of solidarity, sharing and respect and to help support the development and sustainability of the Moulin Roty brand. These founding principles continue to inform the mission and values of the Moulin Roty brand today.
To learn more about the SCOP status, click on the link below :
www.scop.coop
Sadly, in 1988 a fire destroyed the entire Moulin Roty mill. Everything, including the designs, stock, and workshop equipment was completely destroyed. The group did not give up. They moved the Moulin Roty operation to Nort Sur Erdre, which was only 15 km away from the original mill and started from scratch. This disaster allowed the cooperative to breathe new life into the design of products and marketing of the company. Although Moulin Roty retained its status as a cooperative (and remains so today), they became a public limited company in 1991.
1988
In 1996, Moulin Roty launched a new catalogue aimed at connecting today’s children to the toys and games played by their parents and grandparents. It also aimed to remind parents and grandparents of memories formed when they were children. The catalogue is now known as memoire d’enfant.
1996
Nini, the emblematic mouse from our current range La Grande Famille, joined the family in 1997 under the name of Mimi the Mouse.
1997
La Grande Famille was launched in 1998. The range grows in size each year, with new characters being added. Sylvain the rabbit, Julius the dog, Jeanne the duck and Nini the mouse are the core brothers and sisters. They are joined by Perlette the frog, Albert the sheep, and more recently Simon the racoon and Leon the hedgehog. The brothers and sisters, tinys and parents band together to form a big happy family. They delight animal loving children all over the world.
1998
Louna sees the day ! This little colourful bee revolutionizes the world of infancy. Out go pastel colours! In come yellow, fuschia, orange, and bright green.
2000
The first subsidiary in Great Britain is created. Our small friends also take to the web and communicate with the whole world.
2000
Moulin Roty inaugurates its first shop in Nantes. The entire range is on show in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
2001
Moulin Roty is 30 years old! A large party is organised for the occasion bringing together more than 600 people : friends, journalists, suppliers and family, all brought together for one night to share the enthusiasm and the success of the Moulin Roty adventure.
2002
The Jolis pas Beaux (literally, The Pretty Uglies) were born in 2008 from a multitude of scrap fabric. Their odd look and crazy attitude soon seduces parents and the family has grown from one year to the next. Today, it is one of Moulin Roty’s star collections.
2008
Today, Moulin Roty represents 40 years of dreams and softness. A multitude of characters and stories have punctuated the years.
Moulin Roty is also 75 people across the world of which 37 are associates-employees based in Nort sur Erdre. In 2010, Moulin Roty achieved two figure growth.
Moulin Roty offers more than 800 references and each year, 1.5 million products leave the company for destinations both near and far : France, neighbouring countries, the USA, Japan, Australia . . . Our comforters cross oceans and are sold throughout the world.
A big thank you :
To all those, be they near or far, who have collaborated or who collaborate on this adventure.
To the shops with whom we endeavour to offer the best possible service,
To our customers, parents and grand-parents, who place their trust in the brand, and to the children who delight us with their gentleness and enthusiasm,
To all the toys and characters from Moulin Roty without whom none of this would exist!
We wish a long life to this enthralling venture…