Posted on 09/21/2007 8:00:08 AM PDT by Hydroshock
BEIJING (AP) -- U.S.-based toy giant Mattel issued an extraordinary apology to China on Friday over the recall of Chinese-made toys, taking the blame for design flaws and saying it had recalled more lead-tainted toys than justified.
The gesture by Thomas A. Debrowski, Mattel's executive vice president for worldwide operations, came in a meeting with Chinese product safety chief Li Changjiang, at which Li upbraided the company for maintaining weak safety controls.
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"Our reputation has been damaged lately by these recalls," Debrowski told Li in a meeting at Li's office at which reporters were allowed to be present.
"And Mattel takes full responsibility for these recalls and apologizes personally to you, the Chinese people, and all of our customers who received the toys," Debrowski said.
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
And we could play kickball and dodgeball and other ‘dangerous games’ on the playground. Nobody died or broke a leg or ended up in a hospital. What a bunch of sissies we’ve become.
Nope it’s not China’s fault... It’s Mattel’s fault.
I guess now that this really smart guy and his really smart lawyers have figured out that it wasn’t China’s fualt it’s OK for us to buy their crap.
I’m relieved.
/s
“Bottom line: It appears the Chinese were just fulfilling their contractural obligations to Mattel.”
And now we can trust China to fullfill the contract and properly assemble toys, dog food, electronics, tires...
When trust is lost it won’t be regained by simple promises except to the few gulable enough to believe that specs and raw materials are actually under control anywhere in China.
Here’s a qualifying statement from Mattel:
[Begin excerpt]
Some reports of Mattel’s meeting today with Chinese officials have been mischaracterized.
Since Mattel toys are sold the world over, Mattel apologized to the Chinese today just as it has wherever its toys are sold.
The U.S. Congress has focused its inquiry on lead paint, given its long history of interest in that issue. Mattel has told the Chinese, as we did the U.S. Congress, the lead-related recalls arose because a minority of manufacturers did not follow the company’s rules. In fact, Chinese officials have informed Mattel they are pursuing criminal charges against several individuals connected with at least one of those manufacturers.
Mattel informed the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee in a letter dated September 5th (available on the Committee’s website), “The magnet-related recalls account for roughly 11.7 million of the recalled toys shipped to retailers in the U.S. The magnet-related recalls do not involve lead paint or manufacturing failures by Mattel or its vendors, including vendors in China.” The magnet recall was a result of Mattel having adopted a new design standard for securing magnets in toys and retroactively applying that higher standard. To the extent that the Chinese were criticized for magnet-related recalls, Mattel apologized.
Mattel has always believed and publicly stated that our toys must be safe regardless of where they are produced or by whom.
[End excerpt]
I suspect Debrowski will soon be looking for a new job, thanks to his skilful handling of this matter. And Li will get a promotion for his skill at sticking it to whitey.
Mattel’s Executive Vice President for worldwide operations fell on his sword so China could save face.
China is a bully. The 800 lb gorilla. As the article stated, 80% of all US toys are made in China. Basically, Mattel needs China more than China needs Mattel. So if Mattel doesn’t beg China to make toys for Mattel to sell in the USA, China has options to find another supplier or import the toys in some other way.
Mattel fell on their sword to take the heat off China. But everybody knows better. Chinese ruthlnessness and willingness to cheat, lie and steal their way to higher profits can’t be hidden by Mattel’s dog and pony show. China is shameless and they will continue to take every fraudulent shortcut they can to minimize costs and maximize profits. They are absolutely ruthless. I hate them.
They are also brilliant and they are beating us at our own game. They’ll owns us one day, the way we are giving in to their every demand. They control the game.
And we could play kickball and dodgeball and other ‘dangerous games’ on the playground. Nobody died or broke a leg or ended up in a hospital. What a bunch of sissies we’ve become.
I forgot the “dangerous” games. And what about tag. We could actually touch each other and lose the game without our egos being destroyed or our future marred for life. I agree “they”, whoever they are, are making wimps and cowards out of us.
Our schools are so politically correct that it’s destroying our nation. Kids thrive on play. Now play means sitting in front of some computer game and killing your enemies or raping women or....it’s really very sad to me. I never see kids playing outdoors or people sitting on porches anymore.
I wish American companies would stay in America. That would help avoid a lot of these recalls and a lot of money they’re losing, but I guess in the long run, cheap labor is the reason. Thanks for the info. M
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