ANNUAL U.S. MANNEQUIN SALES
35%
Custom
per year
65%
Stock
MATERIAL
CONSIDERATIONS
While the vast majority of mannequins
are still made of ;berglass, other materials
are available. Here are a few options.
POLYPROPYLENE (blow molded)
PROS:
Cheap per-unit
cost
Impact-resistant
CONS:
Expensive molds
Large initial run
needed to o;set
mold cost
Aesthetics
DESIGNTRENDS
FROM EUROPE
More femininity:
extended necks,
;ngers on
abstract female
mannequins
FIBERGLASS
PROS:
Price
A;ordable molds
Aesthetically
superior
Cost e;ective to
repair/replace parts
CONS:
More fragile
Not
environmentally
friendly
Sculptors specializing in mannequins
arebecoming harder and harder to
;nd. “It’s a dying art with so much
emphasis being put on computers.”
IMAGE COURTESY OF DK DISPLAY
65%
COUNTRIES
OF ORIGIN
15%
of retailers expect to increase
their purchases of mannequins
and forms in 2013
SOURCE: A.R.E. Purchasing Forecast, 2012
8%
5%
3%
2%
2%
China
U.S.
Taiwan
Mexico
Vietnam Europe
South
America
4. MOLD
MAKING
The master
;gure is made
and production
mold is cast.
5. MANUFACTURE
Final goods are
manufactured,
packed, and shipped
for distribution to
stores.
POLYURE THANE (Rotational molded)
PROS:
Impact resistant
(level of rigidity
varies)
Better detail than
blow-molded, but
less than ;berglass
CONS:
More expensive
than ;berglass
Very heavy
Not as aesthetically
pleasing as
;berglass
Color fades under
light
Can fail at weak
points under light
Impact resistance
lessens over time
POLYETHYLENE (PE) MOLDING
PROS:
Cost e;ective
Superb design
Impact resistant
Capacity (output
and time to
produce)
Environmentally
friendly
Light weight
Infusible color
Does not
“decompress” as
does roto-mold
Most desirable
Total Cost of
Ownership ( TCO)
CONS:
High mold cost
“Ten years ago
mannequins were
being removed
from the retail
environment—
now there’s a
resurgence.”
SOURCE:
LIFESTYLE/TRIMCO
