JOUSTRA

Specialist in games and creative leisure activities, Joustra has been developing its ranges with French know-how since 1934. This SME, located in Normandy, former European leader in electric toys, has been a brand of creative leisure activities for children since 1999. It is part of the operation I play French.

History. In 1934, the Kosmann brothers founded Joustra, "Jouets de Strasbourg", to manufacture small sheet metal automatons. After the war, the company experienced very strong growth and the range was expanded with the arrival of electric toys, cars, American limousines or miniature cranes.... And in the 1950s, Joustra became the European leader in toys.

From the 1960s onwards, sheet metal gradually disappeared, replaced by plastic, more faithful to reality and more productive. In the mid-1960s, Joustra became the first manufacturer of mechanical toys in Europe.

In 1999, the brand was acquired by the French model maker Heller and moved to Normandy. Creativity, quality, safety and renewal are the words that guide the development of its products. The company also relies on the expert advice of its gaming specialists and the expertise of its French production plant, 90% of whose products are produced in the Orne region. In a difficult situation, the company was bought by Maped, who promised to invest in order to turn the plant around. Nothing has been done about it. In early 2018, the company announced the relocation of production to China and the dismissal of 22 of its 25 employees. A hard blow for the employees and the entire municipality of Trun.

The products. Based on the great classics of creative leisure: moulding (plaster), salt paste, drawing, mosaic, pottery, candles, pyrography or even experimentation, all games are composed of high-quality accessories, inviting children to express their talent. But, the leading game of Joustra, remains until today the famous Télécran.