Summarize on what was found out already:

FACTORY CODES ON CARDBACKS:

1. Prior to 41 Backs:
No Factory Codes present.

2. 41 - 48 Backs:
Factory Codes present next to the pop:
K ("Kader" of Hong Kong)
U ("Unitoys" of Hong Kong)
S ("Smile" of Hong Kong/Macau)

3. 48 - 79 Backs:

TJ (Taiwan)
TW (Taiwan,only on vehicles???)
TC (Taiwan,only on vehicles???)

HN (Hong Kong)
HT (Hong Kong, Unitoys)
HG (Hong Kong, Kader)

ME (Macau)
MC (Macau, only on vehicles???)

So the first letter describes the location in the ROTJ area: T=Taiwan, M=Macau and H=Hong Kong, that is for sure.
The second is the factory code.


ASSUMED/KNOWN FACTORIES:

"Kader Industrial Co. Ltd." (known: "K"/"HG") Location Hong Kong with plants in China?? (after 83)

Established in Hong Kong in 1948, Kader celebrates 60 years as a leading plastics and toys manufacturer. Providing integrated manufacturing services and also specializing in fine scale model railroads, Kader's products continue to delight consumers of all ages around the world.

In the 70s and 80s, business from foreign clients continued to expand, leading the Company to produce such famous products as the original Star Wars figurines, Teddy Ruxpin and Cabbage Patch Kids. The Company also started its Mainland operations, opening its first factory in the border town of Shekou in 1983.

The move allowed Kader to overcome labour supply constraints in Hong Kong, making room for further growth. Led by sons Dr. Dennis Ting (currently the non-executive Chairman of Kader Holdings Company Limited) and Mr. Kenneth Ting, the Company was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1985.

homepage: http://www.kader.com.hk/

"Uni Toys (H.K.) Limited " (known: "U"/"HT") Location Hong Kong

Uni Toys is a member of Uni-Fortune Toys Group which is a toy manufacturer as well as a Hong Kong based company. We own our factories in China and all the tooling, engineering and production are integrated at our China plant. In view of our high product quality and innovation concept of product design, we are granted to work with some renowned brands for years. Apart from our own products, our expertise on product development enables us to be competent to handle with OEM projects. Our manufacturing plant has been certified with ICTI and our products are complied with ASTM and EU toys product safety requirements.

hompage: http://www.uni-toys.com

"Smile Industries Ltd." (known: "S"/"??") Location Hong Kong with plants in Macau?

Smile Industries Limited was founded by Mr. Joseph Law in 1971. Smile established her first production facility at DongGuan, China in 1980.
Smile’s Mission is to assist her clients to achieve a Competitive Advantage by Delivering Quality Products and Services of Unmatched Value.
Smile is already the leading manufacturer for LED decorative light strings in North America and Canada.
Smile’s factory at Dong Guan is called Jianda Manufacturing Company, Ltd. It is only 30 minutes north of Hong Kong by train. Total manufacturing floor space is about 2.2 million square feet. The work place is very well laid out for efficient, safe and comfortable work environment. It has dormitory space enough for nine thousand workers. And also have five family apartment buildings for it’s engineering and staff members. The number of workers on the average is about 5,000.

homepage: http://www.jiandamfg.com

...still prodcues for "Lucas":
Smile Industries Ltd, Silver Manufactory Holdings Co Ltd Unit B 7 F Reliance Mfy Bldg 24 Wong Chuk Hang Rd Aberdeen HK | Lieferverzeichnis - [Panjiva]



"Jetta Company Ltd." (is listed in a Palitoy Far-East document..THANKS JC   ) Location Hong Kong

Established in Hong Kong in 1977.
Focus on manufacturing of toys and gifts.
Started China factory from 1981.
Currently one of the largest OEM toy manufacturers:
5 major plants in China
Exceeding 40,000 employees.

homepage: http://www.jetta.com.hk/

(thanks to J.C.)

"Qualidux Ind. Co Ltd." (proven on QC Sample) Location Hong Kong with plants in Macau?

was founded and commenced operation in 1964 and has been one of the Hong Kong's leading & largest plastic injection molding factory in the field of plstic toys/household goods for more than 40 years.

homepage: http://www.qualidux.com.hk/


Hong Kong, China or Macau??
In some cases it is difficult to say for sure. Most factories have their "headquarter" in Hong Kong. But some QC Samples show that these are additionally marked with "Macau", whilst the vendors were/are located in HK. It is also known that round 1983 the HK factories tried to expand into China. The personnel costs were much cheaper there. So many vendors had their "headquarte"r still in Hong Kong, but their plants were in China! What does that mean for the figures Coos and the cardback writings?? Well we can asume for now that i.e. Kader (located in HK) produced some of the "raised bar China" figures and the cardbacks say: "Made in China".

I guess G.M. also lost overview pretty fast on a booming plastic industry in the beginnign of the 80s.
Here is some interesting reads:

The leader of Kader and Qualidux:
http://www.colby.edu/colby.mag/issues/87n2/ting/2.html

...and that explains a lot regarding the production in the 80s:
https://www.industryhk.org/english/fp/fp_hki/files/common/HKIFeb11_focus_e.pdf



QC SAMPLES:

The samples are branded with a logo on top left corner. Here is one with additional written text:
"G.M. Products (H.K.) Ltd." =General Mills Products (Hong Kong) Limited
http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=48490

QC Sample Kader:
http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=48493
http://forum.rebelscum.com/photogallery/data/674/medium/SWJannToshSignedSample.JPG

QC Sample Smile:
http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=48484
http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=48491
http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=48483
http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=58219
http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=56731
http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=48485
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/796591/3092276/88626540.jpg

QC Sample U.I. (Unitoys?):
http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=48482
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/796591/6218259/88626404.jpg

QC Sample Qualidux:
http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=48488


SHIPPING BOXES:


sources:
http://www.hktdc.com
http://www.toyshk.org
http://www.theswca.com

wbobafett wrote:

Can anyone help me with the abbreviations on the cardbacks?? I would like to know how many are out there??

TJ (Taiwan)
TW (Taiwan)
HN (Hong Kong)
HT (Hong Kong)
HG (Hong Kong)
ME (Macau)



Anymore??

Does anyone know which of the three HK factories changed to China and raised bar??

There's this thread:
http://www.imperialgunneryforum.com/t5600-info-on-factorycodes?highlight=factory+numbers

try JC (Panastur) he might have some more info?

Maybe more   is needed...

http://www.toytownthebook.com/

Slightly OT, but some nice non star wars mold/sprue trees pictured here....

http://gundamguy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/a-tour-of-bandai-hobby-center-in.html

Artoo_Detour wrote:

....

try JC (Panastur) he might have some more info?

Done!! Thank you!!

Quote :

Kader Industrial Company Limited was founded by Mr. Ting Hsiung-chao in 1948

In the 70s and 80s, business from foreign clients continued to expand, leading the Company to produce such famous products as the original Star Wars figurines, Teddy Ruxpin and Cabbage Patch Kids. The Company also started its Mainland operations, opening its first factory in the border town of Shekou in 1983.

The move allowed Kader to overcome labour supply constraints in Hong Kong, making room for further growth. Led by sons Dr. Dennis Ting (currently the non-executive Chairman of Kader Holdings Company Limited) and Mr. Kenneth Ting, the Company was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1985.

So according to this Kader moved to China in '83. Can this be confirmed by a MOC collector by comparing the figure sculpts inside the bubble?

Quote :

Uni Toys (H.K.) Limited -   Hong Kong

Uni Toys is a member of Uni-Fortune Toys Group which is a toy manufacturer as well as a Hong Kong based company. We own our factories in China and all the tooling, engineering and production are integrated at our China plant. In view of our high product quality and innovation concept of product design, we are granted to work with some renowned brands for years. Apart from our own products, our expertise on product development enables us to be competent to handle with OEM projects. Our manufacturing plant has been certified with ICTI and our products are complied with ASTM and EU toys product safety requirements.

But then again this states Unitoys had factories in China ?!?!

edit: OT deleted!

walkie wrote:

So according to this Kader moved to China in '83. Can this be confirmed by a MOC collector by comparing the figure sculpts inside the bubble?

It cannot: China sculpts are the same! They are all altered HK Sculpts!

The only "original stamped" China sculpt is the Rebel Commando it seems....and maybe the China Tie Pilot but thats a complicated story! On the other hand it is exactly thet Tie Pilot that could mark the change from HK to China (around 82/83) which matches the year mentioned above!!!

I get headaches with this whole China thing.....People's Repuplic of China, Republic of China (aka Taiwan) and those special zones HK and Macao....?!?!?

Shekou Industrial Zone:
It was formerly a customs station in Bao'an County and now belongs to Nanshan District of Shenzhen. On 31 January 1979, it became Shekou Industrial Zone developed solely by China Merchants of Hong Kong, earlier than the formation of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shekou_Industrial_Zone

So it belongs to China (People's republic)..but no wait...it belongs to Hong Kong...wait....ah...forget it...   

On the other hand:

If we are regarding the different HK families it is possible that we had at least:
3 factories in HK that produced SW toys!!

It could even be worse regarding some of the families....up to SEVEN!!!! (look at Vader)    

So its possible more the one changed from HK to "China"....

In 1982 the dialogue between the prime ministers of UK and the People's Repuplic of China begun. Since then factories "moved" into China.

"One country--two systems" was signed on 19th Dec. in 1984!

So very tough times to track down factory history....sigh

So missing from the above list is for sure is:

U - Unitoys
K - Kader Industries
S - ??????

And...........

Leia Bespin Raised Bar China (COO Family 1 altered) - HG

Unfortunately no codes were found on cardbacks prior to 41s.

The only predecessor to the RBC I could find was one 41D with COO Family 1 prior to the COO stamp alteration and it was produced at K Kader Industries.
I have been thinking that Kader is HG in terms of the factory.
Starting with the ROTJ line 48 backs, you stopped seeing the U,K,S codes, but now started seeing the HG, HN, TJ, etc codes.

My assumption was for whatever reason Kader now was identified as HG rather than me thinking that Kader was no longer involved and manufacturing was now taking place in a new factory named HG.
The change in printed codes from K to HG just makes more sense to me.

For what its worth, following the molds for Leia, Unitoys had mold family 3 for her and in the ROTJ line, mold family 3 was found carded on HN cards. Unitoys now identified as HN?

I found no  COO family 2 in the later ROTJ line but in the ESB line, she was on the mystery "S" factory code. COO family 2 did pop up on Tri-Logos however that's the wild west of cardbacks so I have no idea what happened to S in terms of the newer two digit codes.

Again, just my thoughts.

cheers!

I Try to summarize:

1. Prior to 41 backs:
No Factory Codes present.

2. 41 backs - 48 backs:
Factory Codes present next to the pop:
K ("Kader Industries" of Hong Kong)
U ("Uni Toys" of Hong Kong)
S (?)

3. 48 backs ROTJ area:
Factory codes present on the bottom corner of the cardback:

TJ (Taiwan)
TW (Taiwan)
TC (Taiwan)

HN (Hong Kong, probably Uni Toys)
HT (Hong Kong)
HG (Hong Kong, probably Kader Ind., moved to "China"??)

ME (Macau)

More?? Additions??

Could be worth an extra thread.

So the first letter describes the location: T=Taiwan, M=Macau and H=Hong Kong, that is for sure. The second is the factory code...but why the change form "U" to "N" or "K" to "G"?? I mean okay...the factories may have moved but their names are still present/the same/slightly changed?!?!?
Or is there kind of HU, HK??

The same card back can also have different codes.
For eg.. ESB41D Vader with no code, U, K, S
Only my S code is MOC, and the others just cardbacks,
wonder if figures are same in all of the different codes.

IMO these come really from different factories having different Coo-families!! That is why I am so interested in that!

Craigs research on Luke Jedi proofs:

HT: MIHK-family
HN: HK-family

And the accessories do match!

Same on the very sam balster used for B-wing pilot and Leia Endor both "HG"!!

I found and RS thread:
http://forum.rebelscum.com/t1096363/

"s" is Smile!

Thanks Wolff,
thats interesting on S being for Smile
Hasbro modern QC samples from the china smile factory are also around today.

HT is Unitoy:

http://forum.rebelscum.com/t1093713-3/#post19059830

Check out the shipping box!

HG is Kader
http://forum.rebelscum.com/t1096363/#post19103643

Check out the shipping box!

Smile is correctly named:

"Smile Industries Ltd."

edit: Here are they listed with "plastic toys":
http://www.toyshk.org/member-02.php?id=156



Jetta was mentioned somewhere from JC.

"Jetta Company Ltd.":

Established in Hong Kong in 1977.
Focus on manufacturing of toys and gifts.
Started China factory from 1981.
Currently one of the largest OEM toy manufacturers:
5 major plants in China
Exceeding 40,000 employees.

So we have already 4 HK factories. Only Kader and Unitoys confirmed for now!


And a quick check on Taiwan Toy manufactures that produce plastic toys: I have found 404!!!   

In China 2358 and...*drumroll* in HK 9475  

Summarize:

FACTORY CODES ON CARDBACKS:

1. Prior to 41 backs:
No Factory Codes present.

2. 41 backs - 48 backs:
Factory Codes present next to the pop:
K ("Kader" of Hong Kong)
U ("Unitoys" of Hong Kong)
S ("Smile")

3. 48 backs ROTJ :
Factory codes present on the bottom corner of the cardback:

TJ (Taiwan)
TW (Taiwan)
TC (Taiwan)

HN (Hong Kong)
HT (Hong Kong, Unitoys)
HG (Hong Kong, Kader.)

ME (Macau)

So the first letter describes the location in the ROTJ area: T=Taiwan, M=Macau and H=Hong Kong, that is for sure.
The second is the factory code.


ASSUMED/KNOWN FACTORIES:

"Kader Industrial Co. Ltd." (known: "K"/"HG")

Established in Hong Kong in 1948, Kader celebrates 60 years as a leading plastics and toys manufacturer. Providing integrated manufacturing services and also specializing in fine scale model railroads, Kader's products continue to delight consumers of all ages around the world.

In the 70s and 80s, business from foreign clients continued to expand, leading the Company to produce such famous products as the original Star Wars figurines, Teddy Ruxpin and Cabbage Patch Kids. The Company also started its Mainland operations, opening its first factory in the border town of Shekou in 1983.

The move allowed Kader to overcome labour supply constraints in Hong Kong, making room for further growth. Led by sons Dr. Dennis Ting (currently the non-executive Chairman of Kader Holdings Company Limited) and Mr. Kenneth Ting, the Company was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1985.

"Uni Toys (H.K.) Limited " (known: "U"/"HT")

Uni Toys is a member of Uni-Fortune Toys Group which is a toy manufacturer as well as a Hong Kong based company. We own our factories in China and all the tooling, engineering and production are integrated at our China plant. In view of our high product quality and innovation concept of product design, we are granted to work with some renowned brands for years. Apart from our own products, our expertise on product development enables us to be competent to handle with OEM projects. Our manufacturing plant has been certified with ICTI and our products are complied with ASTM and EU toys product safety requirements.

"Smile Industries Ltd." (known: "S"/"??")

...still prodcues for "Lucas":
[URL="http://de.panjiva.com/Smile-Industries-Ltd/1137634"]Smile Industries Ltd, Silver Manufactory Holdings Co Ltd Unit B 7 F Reliance Mfy Bldg 24 Wong Chuk Hang Rd Aberdeen HK | Lieferverzeichnis - [Panjiva][/URL]

no homepage...though?!?!?

"Jetta Company Ltd." (assumed)

Established in Hong Kong in 1977.
Focus on manufacturing of toys and gifts.
Started China factory from 1981.
Currently one of the largest OEM toy manufacturers:
5 major plants in China
Exceeding 40,000 employees.


sources:
[URL="http://www.hktdc.com"]Hong Kong Suppliers and Hong Kong Manufacturers | HKTDC[/URL]
[URL="http://www.toyshk.org"]Hong Kong Toys Council[/URL]
[URL="http://www.kader.com.hk/our_company/history.html"]Kader Holdings Company Limited[/URL]

 nice research.

I am a little confused on the Unitoys/HT/HN issue.

I see that C-3PO case that clearly shows the HT code and Unitoys as company name on the same box. I get that.
But what I don't get is how I see the same COO family from 'U'nitoys and 'HN' cards for Leia Bespin.

Could Unitoys have operated two factories T and N?

Another oddity for Unitoys on Leia Bespin is that Unitoys seemed to have both COO families 2 & 3.
COO family 2 seemed to stop appearing (at least so far in my reserach) at the 47a backs where Unitoys now started packing family 3.
Family 2 would not reappear again until Tri-Logos (no factory codes).

Would there have been some sort of consolidation of the molds and Unitoys had both at one point (only using one for production at any given time)?

OK..... done with Unitoys................
A neat point about Kader.
COO family #1 for Leia Bespin was found on Kader and HG cards.
That family's stamp was eventually altered to have the Raised Bar China stamp.

Not many figures had the Raised Bar China stamp, so I would like to see if the other Raised Bar figures show the same trail: unaltered at Kader and altered finally at HG late in the ROTJ run (65B for Leia Bespin is where the Raised Bar first appeared).

And the final point about Kader and this family - this mold was finally sent to Lili Ledy for the regular Raised Bar China Ledy Leia Bespin.
Does this apply to other Raised Bar figures and the Ledy connection?

I think that is it.

I am sure we will never know everything about the factories and there will always been some oddities that don't fit current working theories, but I love this type of deduction.
It has helped me for the most part in identifying the correct accessories for LB. But as noted above, there still is a little mystery out there which so far I have been chalking up to overstock being sent to a different factory to fill production gaps.


FWIW, here is a small list of my carded figures that had codes available:
LINE-BACK-CODE-COO/FAMILY
ESB 41B U  COO#2 (FAMILY#2)
ESB 41D U  COO#2 (FAMILY#2)
ESB 41D NA COO#3 (FAMILY#3) - No Code? Why?
ESB 41D K  COO#1 (FAMILY#1)
ESB 45A NA COO#2 (FAMILY#2) - No Code? Why?
ESB 47A U  COO#3 (FAMILY#3)
ROJ 48D HN COO#3 or COO#6 (FAMILY#3) - Possibly #6, w/ COO removed, due to time frame of release
ROJ 65B HG COO#4 (FAMILY#1)
ROJ 77A HG COO#4 (FAMILY#1)
ROJ 77A HN COO#3 or COO#6 (FAMILY#3) - Most likely #6, w/ COO removed, due to time frame of release
NA = Not Available /  No Printed Code
...... Tri-Logos had all 3 families for LB packed inside.

cheers!

.... it could be Unitoys had two plants producing those....it could also be that "U" isn't Unitoys.....LOL

I am just researching this since two days   

Let's wait and see if JC chimns in....

The other question would be: Who are the three TW factories...and why three??

Why only 3 HK codes but maybe 4 HK factories??

Many questions right now....

Great research/info   

Amazing work.
Since Smile Industries still producess star wars toys today,
could the H code be for for another modern factory which also produces star wars toys today?
Modern Hasbro QC samples also come from the "Herald" factory in china.

wbobafett wrote:

The other question would be: Who are the three TW factories...and why three??

If in fact 3 factories peoduced figures, I have no idea. BUT if out of the 3 factories, 1 or 2 of them only produced vehicles and other bits, then I get it.

cheers!

M4K3R1 wrote:

Amazing work.
Since Smile Industries still producess star wars toys today,
could the H code be for for another modern factory which also produces star wars toys today?
Modern Hasbro QC samples also come from the "Herald" factory in china.

...Oscar...I am not sure what you mean with: "could the H code be for for another modern factory which also produces star wars toys today?"

Does it mean the modern ones have "H" on the back??

Will check a bit on "Herald" though!

Hey Jay: Forgot the vehicles...you are right. I only have seen TJ on cradbacks for now!! The other Taiwan codes were only mentioned in threads....though?!?!?

"Herald (HK) Ltd" -  Hong Kong

Herald is a diversified industrial group with activities in 4 key areas:
Toys-injection moulded plastic figures and radio-controlled vehicles, timepieces-watches, clocks and clock radios, computer heads-for magnetic tape drives, cookware-aluminium non-stick coated pots and pans.
The Herald Group was established in Hong Kong in 1955 and was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1988. While administration, marketing, finance, and products development are managed in Hong Kong, all manufacturing activities are based in China.
In addition to manufacturing, Herald's wholly owned London-based subsidiary, Zeon Ltd., is involved in the distribution of timepieces in Europe. Zeon is a market leader in licensed timepieces. It holds licenses for "Heads" sports watches throughout Europe as well as licenses for "Wrangler", "Elle Studio" and "Elle Petite" watches. Zeon also hold several children's character licenses such as Disney, Barbie, Action Man and Pokemon.

http://www.hktdc.com/sourcing/hk_company_directory.htm?companyid=1X034NDQ&locale=en

Another useful link for "Herald"...

Mentions star wars and several other Kenner lines and factory location in china...

http://www.heraldgroup.com.hk/toys.htm