OUR STORY
OUR HISTORY. It is not improper to use the term “history” to tell the story of the Ginocchio family that spans three centuries in the world of toys.
The origins: in Germany. It all began way back in 1887; in that year, Domenico Ginocchio emigrated from his native Chiavari (Genoa) and settled in Hamburg, Germany, where he began selling toys. While initially the customers were exclusively fellow countrymen, emigrants like him, who sold toys at fairs and markets, over time the range of toys expanded and, to the first, an ever-increasing number of German traders were added. This flourishing business slowed down during the great financial crisis of 1929, which devastated the entire German economy; however, in the following years, Domenico, (then supported by his three sons who took over after his passing), tenaciously restarted the business, so much so that, in 1943, it became one of the most important companies in the toy wholesale sector in the whole of Germany. Unfortunately, that year also marked the end of the Company. Hamburg is the target of repeated Anglo-American air raids and, on the night between 24 and 25 July, the bombs destroy everything that had been built in 50 years of hard work; the members of the Ginocchio family do not suffer any losses: in fact, by chance, that night they do not remain under the rubble of their homes because, at the time of the bombing, they are all at a reception at the Italian embassy. On that tragic day everything is destroyed: houses, warehouses, vehicles... Only memories remain of that period: every photographic document devoured by the fire of the bombs. Following these events, one of the three sons, Vittorio, decides to return to Italy; the other two brothers who remained in Germany, once the conflict was over, restart their activity in Hamburg.
The new beginning in Italy. At the end of the war period, in September 1945, Vittorio Ginocchio, drawing on the experience gained in Germany and supported by his two sons (Mario and Enrico), opened a toy wholesaler in Genoa. The first small measures that helped the restart were the setting up of beautiful sample rooms (a custom then widespread in Germany but less so in Italy) and being the first to include the word “Toys” in the Yellow Pages for the city of Genoa and its province.
The first trips to the Far East. Starting in 1958, the wholesale management was supported by an import activity from the Far East. Initially, the supplier countries were Japan and Hong Kong, soon joined by Taiwan, South Korea and the People's Republic of China. The first trips to the Far East were "adventurous". In Japan in those years, very few people spoke English and therefore it was very difficult to find one's way around the cities, also because the streets were not marked with a name (a reality still present today in many parts of China). Mario Ginocchio took part in one of the first "Canton Fairs", the most important trade fair for the export of Chinese products, which has now reached its 126th edition. The stories of those first trips to the so-called Mao's China contrast with today's reality. So, before entering China, at the border you have to leave your passport, gold chain, watch... at Customs. Western economic operators are made to board a train (designated only for them) that takes an entire day to go from Hong Kong to Guangzhou (today the same journey is done in less than 2 hours, with high-speed trains!). During the journey, at each station, passengers are made to get off the train and receive a welcome greeting: one time the local musical band, another a unit of soldiers giving a military salute, another time a group of school children who entertain the travellers with dancing and singing and waving flowers in the air. Once in Canton, there are only two hotels for foreigners (the Tung Fang Hotel and the China Hotel, which still exist today, although obviously renovated). One occupied only by Japanese businessmen; the other intended for commercial operators from the rest of the world. At reception, customers are divided into various rooms, at the discretion of the hotel managers; so it happens that you have to share a room with foreigners from distant countries and of course never met until that moment; outside, in front of the door of the room, there is an armed guard and, at the Fair, it is not uncommon for a guard in uniform to listen to the conversations between foreigners and the managers of the Cooperaton (public bodies, exclusively responsible for exports). This is the past: today Canton is a modern and dynamic city, with skyscrapers, a subway, an impressive traffic of national and international flights, high-speed rail links... and much more.
Specialization in import only. Starting in 1971, wholesale ceased and only the import activity remained operational. A few years later (1974), only one of the sons, Mario, chose to continue the family “tradition” in the world of toys. The company took the name of Givi-Ginocchio (where Givi stands for Ginocchio Vittorio, the father's name). At the time, the offices were in the center of Genoa, while the goods warehouse was on the outskirts. From 1986 to 1989, the business activity, both administrative and goods handling, was brought together in San Quirico, Genoa.
The new headquarters In September 1989, Givi - Ginocchio Srl consolidated its organizational structure with the purchase of the properties in Isoverde, Genoa. In 2009, Ginmar Srl took over Givi- Ginocchio Srl, maintaining the same operational headquarters.
The first 50 years in Italy In September 1995, the Ginocchio family, with all its collaborators, celebrated the milestone of the first 50 years of activity in Italy.
Hong Kong Office. In 2000, Givi - Ginocchio Srl invested in the ownership of an office in Hong Kong, in order to make it easier to search for and choose new products to import and to lay the foundations for further commercial growth on foreign markets.
The Nuremberg Fair This trade fair represents the most prestigious showcase in the world of toys in Europe. In February 2018, the Spielwarenmesse (the organizing body) awarded Ginmar a certificate in recognition of reaching 25 years of participation in this important event. New paragraph
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