Permanence
Our horizon is measured in decades, not exit windows. When a brand joins the group, it joins permanently. We are not a fund with a timeline. We are a house built to last.
Who We Are
The story behind the name and the people behind the group.
The Lines Brothers name has a long history in British toy making. Founded in 1919, Lines Brothers grew to become one of the great names of British manufacturing, producing some of the most beloved toys and models of the twentieth century.
We have taken up that name again with a single purpose: to give the great heritage toy, hobby and model brands of Britain and Europe a permanent home.
Lines Brothers Limited is a privately funded group assembling storied British and European brands with real history and devoted followings under one roof. We are long-term owners. We do not acquire businesses to restructure them, break them apart or resell them. We acquire them to look after them, and to give them the stability and patient backing that founders and family owners rarely find in a conventional sale.
Our Philosophy
Three principles that guide everything we do.
Independence
Every company we acquire operates as a fully independent subsidiary with its own name, management, identity and character. We do not absorb brands into a single machine or strip out the people and culture that made them matter.
Custodianship
We are careful stewards of distinctive British and European names. Our role is to preserve their legacy, support their craft and ensure their stories continue for generations to come.
Our Approach
We back. We do not interfere.
Existing teams continue to run their businesses. We provide capital, stability, shared expertise and a long-term owner who genuinely understands the category.
In practice this means continuity of brand, team and identity after completion. No forced integration with other businesses in the group. Patient investment in product development, tooling and design quality. A single, decisive owner with no committees, no fund managers and no outside pressure. A genuine commitment to the craft and heritage these businesses were built on.
Our model is deliberately decentralised. The best people to run a heritage model railway business are the ones who have spent their careers building it. Our job is to give them the stability and resources to do what they do best.
Our People
The principals you will speak with.
Simon Kohler
Director, Model Railways
Simon is one of the most respected figures in British model railways, with a career spanning more than four decades. He has played a leading role in shaping and reviving one of Britain's most iconic model brands, bringing first-hand knowledge of what makes these businesses endure.
Contact Simon
Michael A. D'Onofrio
Director, Toys and Games
Michael has spent his career across international business and manufacturing, leading his own company for more than two decades. He brings the commercial and operational experience that heritage businesses need to grow steadily and with confidence.
Contact Michael