Manny Stul was born in a German refugee camp to Polish Holocaust survivors. He took over Moose Toys in 2000 and grew sales more than 7,000 percent, building Shopkins into the best-selling US toy of 2015.
The Builders | Olam.business
Manny Stul was born around 1948 in a refugee camp near Munich, Germany, to Polish Jewish parents who survived the Holocaust. His family emigrated to Australia when he was an infant. Stul took control of Moose Toys in 2000 and grew the company's sales more than 7,000 percent, turning collectible lines including Shopkins and Mighty Beanz into global hits. Forbes puts his net worth near 1.2 billion dollars in 2026, and in 2016 he became the first Australian named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year.
Who Is Manny Stul?
Manny Stul is an Australian businessman and the chairman of Moose Toys, a Melbourne-based toy company he built into one of the largest toy makers in the United States by sales. He is one of Australia's wealthiest self-made entrepreneurs despite having only a high school education.
At a Glance
| Born | Around 1948 to 1949, refugee camp near Munich, Germany, to Polish Jewish Holocaust survivor parents |
| Emigration | To Australia as an infant in 1949, spending roughly three years in a refugee camp in Northam, Western Australia |
| Early business | Founded Skansen Giftware, listed it on the Australian Securities Exchange in 1993, and later sold it |
| Company | Moose Toys, founded 1985 by Brian Hamersfeld. Stul became CEO in 2000, now chairman |
| Revenue | Approximately 1.1 billion dollars, with 700-plus employees distributing to more than 80 countries |
| Signature products | Shopkins, Trash Pack, Mighty Beanz, Little Live Pets |
| Net worth | Approximately 1.2 billion dollars, Forbes 2026 |
| Family | Married to Jacqui Tobias. Step-son Paul Solomon serves as co-CEO of Moose Toys |
How Did Manny Stul Build Moose Toys Into a Billion-Dollar Company?
Manny Stul was born in a German refugee camp to Polish Jewish parents who had survived the Holocaust, and his family fled Communist Poland for Australia in 1949 when he was seven months old, spending roughly three years in a refugee camp in Northam, Western Australia before settling in Perth. Stul left high school without finishing and built his first company, Skansen Giftware, taking it public on the Australian Securities Exchange in 1993 before selling it.
Moose Toys had been founded in 1985 by Brian Hamersfeld. Stul made an investment in the company and took over as chief executive in 2000. Under his leadership, sales increased by more than 7,000 percent, and Moose Toys grew into a top ten toy company in both Australia and the United States, with product lines sold in more than 80 countries.
How Did Moose Toys Recover From the Bindeez Recall?
In 2007, Moose Toys' Bindeez toy line, small beads that fused together when sprayed with water, was found to have been manufactured with a toxic chemical substituted by a Chinese supplier without the company's knowledge. The discovery triggered a nationwide product recall in Australia and nearly destroyed the company. Stul personally accepted responsibility for the failure despite the fault lying with the manufacturer, and negotiated with creditors over roughly ten days to keep Moose Toys operating.
The company rebuilt around new collectible lines, first Trash Pack and then Shopkins, launched in 2014. A twelve-pack of Shopkins figures became the best-selling toy in the United States in 2015. Mighty Beanz and Little Live Pets followed as additional hit lines, and Moose Toys now operates offices in Melbourne, Los Angeles, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, and Hong Kong.
What Recognition Has Manny Stul Received?
In 2016, Stul became the first Australian named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year, a global award recognizing entrepreneurs who have built substantial international enterprises. Forbes placed him 47th on Australia's 50 Richest list in 2024 and estimated his net worth at 1.2 billion dollars on its 2026 World's Billionaires List.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manny Stul?
Manny Stul is an Australian billionaire businessman and chairman of Moose Toys, the Melbourne-based toy company behind Shopkins, Trash Pack, and Mighty Beanz. He was born in a German refugee camp to Polish Jewish Holocaust survivor parents.
What is Moose Toys?
Moose Toys is an Australian toy design and distribution company founded in 1985, generating approximately 1.1 billion dollars in revenue and distributing to more than 80 countries under Manny Stul's leadership since 2000.
What happened with the Bindeez recall?
In 2007 a Chinese manufacturer substituted a toxic chemical into Moose Toys' Bindeez beads without the company's knowledge, triggering a nationwide Australian recall. Stul accepted personal responsibility and negotiated with creditors to keep the company afloat.
What is Manny Stul's net worth?
Forbes estimated Manny Stul's net worth at approximately 1.2 billion dollars on its 2026 World's Billionaires List, ranking him among Australia's wealthiest individuals.
What awards has Manny Stul won?
In 2016 Stul became the first Australian to win the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year award, recognizing his transformation of Moose Toys into a global toy company.
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מי הוא מני סטול?
מני סטול נולד בסביבות 1948 במחנה פליטים ליד מינכן, גרמניה, להורים יהודים פולנים ניצולי שואה. משפחתו היגרה לאוסטרליה כשהיה תינוק, לאחר מספר שנים במחנה פליטים בנורתאם, מערב אוסטרליה. ב-2000 השתלט על חברת הצעצועים Moose Toys, והכנסותיה גדלו ביותר מ-7,000 אחוז תחת ניהולו. הקו המצליח ביותר, Shopkins, היה הצעצוע הנמכר ביותר בארצות הברית ב-2015.
ב-2016 הפך סטול לאוסטרלי הראשון שזכה בפרס EY World Entrepreneur of the Year. פורבס מעריך את הונו בכ-1.2 מיליארד דולר נכון ל-2026.
The Olam Editorial Team | The Builders / הבונים
