Québec, October 25, 2011 – In recent years, the Quebec-based company specializing in the development and marketing of board games has partnered with giants such as Disney, Dream- Works, Nickelodeon, Marvel and several others. This year, Gladius signed an agreement with Mattel, a world leader in the field. Yet Gladius plays the same field as they do… “Mattel toys are a large part of our childhood souvenirs and we wanted to surpass ourselves through an association with one of the world leaders in our sector. I admit it was a daring move, but we are very pleased to have been able to impress them,” explained Marc Fournier, Research and Development Director.

“When we were young, electronic toys did not exist and we played with Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels…” Management at Gladius have heard these words time and again, and they served as an inspiration. There was never a question of Gladius’ launching dolls on the market. Our interest lay in building houses and cars... out of cardboard. “Each of us has played with houses and cars made of cardboard,” explained Marc Fournier. So the Quebec-based company looked to the engineers at Cascades Norampac to develop the popular Hot Wheels cars and Barbie convertible made from recycled cardboard. They also designed the Barbie dream house. These products impart a new vocation to cardboard.

This initial project with Mattel may appear simple at first glance, but the challenge resided in marking an attractive, easy-to-assemble … and affordable product… “We went back to the drawing board several times, but the final result is a success,” concluded Marc Fournier.

The two Hot Wheels cars and the Barbie convertible, as well as the Barbie dream house, are already available in stores.

For more information:
Jinny Sanschagrin, Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator
418 681-2555 Ext. 223

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