Our Values

Horizon Hobby leadership and employees put our vision into action with these values as our guide.

  • Integrity

    We are honest, trustworthy and fair. We do the right thing and deliver what we promise.

  • Respect

    We are humble and treat others the way we should like to be treated.

  • Excellence

    We are driven to succeed - embracing change, acting with urgency and taking appropriate risk. We develop ourselves personally and professionally.

  • Commitment

    We are committed to our customers, to our partners and to quality and safety. We are empowered and personally accountable for achieving our goals.

  • Teamwork

    We achieve results through inclusion and collaboration. We debate our differences and then fully support and execute our decisions.

  • Fun

    We work hard and work to win, but we also enjoy the journey and help others do the same.

Our Vision

Horizon Hobby is dedicated to having a positive impact on the world through the influence of our people, our products and our business philosophy. The belief that people are the key to our success solidifies our commitment to making this vision a reality.

To see the world impacted by God through the influence of Horizon and its people.

History

From the beginning, the people of Horizon have always tried to treat each customer, each supplier and each other with the utmost respect, as we would like to be treated ourselves. This simple Golden Rule, along with our ability to innovate and adapt, are the key reasons we remain successful today.

1985

The Beginning

Founder, Rick Stephens, along with a handful of his family and industry professionals, opened Horizon Hobby in October of 1985. Their "can do" attitude and exceptional care for the customer quickly made Horizon one of the most popular wholesale RC distributors in North America.

1986

The First Expansion

A second distribution center is opened in Paso Robles, California, allowing Horizon to service retailers west of the Rockies more quickly and efficiently.

1992

Horizon Acquires Exclusive Brands and Begins Development of its Own

Horizon purchases Hobby Dynamics and gains exclusive distribution rights to several premier RC brands. At the same time it begins development of its own RC brands.

1998

Horizon Reaches Out Directly to Hobby Consumers

With the Internet and e-commerce creating new ways to reach hobby consumers, Horizon acquires catalog retailer, Indy RC, and the Consumer Division is born.

2002

The Ontario, California Facility Opens

The Paso Robles distribution center is moved to a larger facility in Ontario, California to better serve our customers and help support the explosive growth of our proprietary products.

2004

Horizon Establishes a Presence in Europe

Seeking a stronger foothold in Europe, Horizon acquires Helger Racing which becomes Horizon Hobby UK Ltd.

2006

Horizon Becomes Employee-Owned

Horizon Hobby employees become the owners with the introduction of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

2008

European Operations Expand

Horizon acquires German distributor JSB which becomes Horizon Hobby Deutschland GmbH. About the same time Horizon Hobby opens an office in Paris, France

2011

Horizon Establishes a Presence in China

Horizon Hobby China was established as a retail sales office and web business based in Shanghai. We have a sales office with an experiential center, and can provide after-sales service from our Shanghai office as well. Our mission is to "Help the Chinese consumers discover they can have fun with hobbies." We will serve consumers directly in the emerging Chinese market.

2014

Horizon Hobby, Inc. Becomes Horizon Hobby, LLC

Horizon Hobby begins a new chapter with new ownership led by CEO Joe Ambrose and a group of investors. This new ownership structure positions Horizon for future growth while keeping the values and culture the company was founded on intact.