Wedico

Wedico is a German brand known for premium, highly detailed scale models of trucks and construction machinery, typically in 1:16 and 1:14.5 scale, along with ship model kits in various scales. The business traces its origins to Wesenfeld, Dicke GmbH & Co., founded in Wuppertal in 1893. In 1996 its white-metal and model-making divisions were separated into legally independent units, and from 2004 the model division operated as Wedico Truck + Construction Models GmbH. Wedico models are built from materials such as plastic, aluminium and stainless steel and can be assembled either as static display pieces or as radio-controlled working models, with options including electric drive, gearboxes, detailed lighting systems and sound generators. A fully equipped model can cost well over €3,000. After a renewed insolvency, the business operations of Wedico Truck + Construction Models GmbH ceased on 15 January 2018 and the company was deleted in early 2018. The production and distribution of current, classic and new Wedico models, spare parts and accessories was taken over by thicon e.K., based in Essen. Production of existing items continued with new staff as well as members of the former Wedico team. At the end of 2018 the new brand WEDICO-models, together with its WEDICO-construction line of high-quality licensed model construction machines, was presented to end customers alongside thicon e.K. at the 'Faszination Modellbau' fair in Friedrichshafen and previously at 'modell-hobby-spiel' in Leipzig. Today Wedico functions as a specialist model brand rather than an independent manufacturer, serving hobbyists who value authentic materials, mechanical complexity and expandability. Its catalogue spans truck models, construction machinery, ship model kits from the 1990s era, and a wide range of accessories and spare parts. The brand's continuity is maintained through thicon e.K., which keeps classic products in production while introducing new and licensed models under the WEDICO-models and WEDICO-construction names.

The company behind Wedico was founded in Wuppertal in 1893 under the original name Wesenfeld, Dicke GmbH & Co. Over the following century it developed expertise in metalworking and model making. In 1996 the business areas — white metal (Weißmetall) and model making (Modellbau) — were split into legally independent divisions. The model-making division became known for high-quality vehicle models that could be built either as display pieces or as radio-controlled models. Truck models used materials such as plastic, aluminium and stainless steel and could be equipped with a wide range of accessories, including electric drive, gearboxes, true-to-original complex lighting systems and sound generators. A fully equipped model could cost well over €3,000. In the 1990s the programme also included ship model kits made of polystyrene, which could likewise be fitted with radio control and drive systems. In 2003 the model-making division faced insolvency, which was averted, and from 2004 it continued under the name Wedico Truck + Construction Models GmbH. From then until 2017 numerous new models and accessories were brought to market. However, a renewed insolvency led to the final cessation of business operations of Wedico Truck + Construction Models GmbH on 15 January 2018, and the company was deleted in early 2018. The production and distribution of current, classic and new Wedico models, spare parts and accessories was taken over by thicon e.K., based in Essen. Production of existing articles continued as usual with new staff as well as members of the old Wedico team. At the end of 2018, the new brand WEDICO-models and its division for high-quality, licensed model construction machines, WEDICO-construction, were presented to end customers together with thicon e.K. at the 'Faszination Modellbau' fair in Friedrichshafen and previously at the 'modell-hobby-spiel' fair in Leipzig. The brand thus continues under new ownership while preserving its product heritage and much of its team.

• 2018

  On 15 January business operations cease; company deleted in early 2018; thicon e.K. takes over production and distribution; WEDICO-models brand presented at trade fairs.

• 2017

  Numerous new models and accessories brought to market since 2004 up to this year.

• 2004

  Model division continues as Wedico Truck + Construction Models GmbH.

• 2003

  Insolvency of the model-making division averted.

• 1996

  White metal and model-making business areas split into legally independent divisions.

• 1893

  Company founded in Wuppertal as Wesenfeld, Dicke GmbH & Co.

Premium, high-detail scale models for serious hobbyists, positioned above mass-market plastic kits through metal materials, mechanical complexity and expandability.

• Truck models (1:16 and 1:14.5)

  High-quality truck models made from plastic, aluminium and stainless steel, buildable as display or radio-controlled models with optional electric drive, gearboxes, lighting and sound.

• Construction machine models

  High-quality licensed model construction machines under the WEDICO-construction line.

• Ship model kits

  Polystyrene ship model kits offered in the 1990s in various scales, which could be equipped with radio control and drive systems.

• Accessories and spare parts

  A wide range of accessories and spare parts for equipping and maintaining Wedico models.

1. 1Wedico – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
2. 2Wedico – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Wedico official websitewedico.de
4. 4WEDICO-models websitewedico-models.com