HIT Entertainment has licensed Sakar International to develop, manufacture and market an extensive collection of Thomas & Friends merchandise – from clock radios, walkie talkies, text messengers and boom boxes to digital cameras, flashlights, and video game and computer accessories – into the consumer electronics market in North America.

The agreement covers the United States and Canada and builds on the long-running success of Thomas & Friends. As of early 2012, according to The NPD Group, the brand has ranked as the number one preschool toy property in both the United States and the UK for 11 and 12 consecutive years, respectively. In the US, Thomas & Friends also holds the number one spot for overall top preschool property and was a top 10 property in the entire toy industry for 2011. 

“In our work with other brands, we have found that preschoolers are as interested in electronics and digital products as older children. That should be no surprise, considering the kids are playing with Mom’s iPhone and Dad’s iPad long before they can read,” said Liza Abrams, Sakar Vice President of Licensing. “The enduring popularity and endearing personalities of the Thomas & Friends franchise provide a wonderful platform for developing products in this area.”