Traditional and contemporary: doll's houses from Rülke

Rülke - February 2021

The production of toys has been a tradition in the Erzgebirge for centuries. The Rülke GmbH, which is now run by which is now managed by Björn and Katja Rülke in the fifth generation, has been part of this tradition for over 130 years. tradition for over 130 years - and is also breaking new ground alongside the classic ones.

From manufacture to computer-aided production
When Carl Hermann Rülke founded the company in 1887 as a doll's furniture factory, the focus was on handwork. At that time, doll's houses played a central role in the toy world. And so the company managed to make a name for itself in this field and also to upgrade the production facilities bit by bit.

Already in the early years, a plastic parts production was installed in addition to a wood production. Which, however, did not survive the upheavals caused by its incorporation into a VEB in GDR times and the renewed restructuring after reunification, but is now more topical than ever.

An eventful history, a diverse assortment
Due to international markets and the rapid development of the toy industry in the plastic and electronic sectors and electronics, doll's houses have lost their position. And so Rülke GmbH has also reinvented itself and diversified its range.

Today, CNC technology, automated production planning, computer-controlled preparation and online business determine the operation.

However, the assortment could not be more diverse. It ranges from interior and design products and design products for well-known furniture manufacturers, wooden parts for transport companies and the traditional toy assortment, which is not only a traditional part of Rülke's business, but also a source of revenue.

Doll's houses with quality standards
Rülke currently has doll's houses, doll's house furniture and lovingly designed accessories in its range. The high-quality toys - all of them "made in Erzgebirge" - are particularly popular with quality-conscious buyers. quality-conscious buyers. The woods used are PEFC certified and it is a matter of course for Rülke, It goes without saying that Rülke complies with the EN 71 toy standard and also manufactures according to DIN ISO 9001.

Clever twist: Doll's house from IKEA shelves
With a series of doll furniture for IKEA shelves, the company is responding to changes in the market: Not every family has the space for a large doll's house, there are now a lot of toys in the children's room - and parents are happy if one or the other and parents are happy if one or two toys can be put away again after use. can be put away again after use. In addition, the span of use of dollhouses has shortened over time. shortened. Role-playing with dolls has moved more and more into the preschool age.

The doll's rooms, which fit exactly into the compartments of the mostly existing Kallax shelves, reflect this development. development. There is no need to buy a whole set of toys - and the doll's house can be expanded piece by piece. The doll's house can be extended piece by piece, so that donors can always add to the play experience.

Classic doll's houses are perennial favourites
Despite all the trends, however, the classic doll's house is also a perennial favourite.

The current range occupies various price points. The Solitaire house is a modern all-round playable villa with a winter garden. The house Sonnenschein and the house Filius are the classics among the doll's houses. and correspond to the ideal image of a single-family house - in other words, exactly what children expect from a house. two storeys and an even room layout. There is also a house with balcony which is available in different which is available in different colours - and can also be combined to form a multi-storey house by means of an and can be combined to form a multi-storey house.

But it is not only girls who enjoy role play. Often the incentives and access for boys are just different.

In a modern look, Rülke therefore presents a parking garage with workshop and petrol station that matches the dolls' world. Over three floors with a separate lift, play fun is guaranteed here too.

PolyM Construction Toys
In the meantime, the toy manufacturer is also producing plastic parts again. Through the joint venture PolyM, which Rülke took over together with Hape, the product range was abruptly enlarged by a construction toy brand. brand: a large variety of system building blocks, suitable for institutions and private households, now also come from the and private households now also come from the Erzgebirge.