Mattel's China Experience

Unit 4 Mattel’s China Experience

Kaplan University

School of Business Management

MT460 Management Policy and Strategy

Author: Talanda Mccarley

Professor: Marian Leeburger

Date: November 4, 2010

Bob Eckert enjoyed being CEO of Mattel’s toy company; even though the job in itself came with its problems Mr. Eckert gave it everything that he had to make sure that the company was ran right; this well-respected CEO engaged the organization with a vision of greater collaboration, a vision that would eventually become known as One Mattel. These values all built on the word play: Play Fair, Play Together, Play with Passion, and Play to Grow.

Mattel was founded in 1944 by Elliot and Ruth Handlar; in the mid 1950’s the Handlar’s came up with the Mickey Mouse club which lead to the production of Hot wheels, Barbie, and all sorts of fisher price product; business was going well for the Handlar’s until July, 2007 when a routine audit found excess amount of lead in Mattel’s products; Mattel had to recall 967,000 products; there was also rumor’s of and illegal sweat shop.

Financial issues also played its part as well Mr. and Mrs. Handlar have to evaluate the company current standings and come up with something that will ensure the toy industry and consumers that their products is safe and that the rumors was just that rumors.

In order for the Handlers to get Mattel’s toy company back on track, the Handlers must evaluate all aspects of their business from their employees to the current problems; Bob Eckert Mattel’s CEO and Jim Walter senior vice president of quality assurance should check into employing another manufacture company in the U.S. weather then across seas.

Environmental and Occupational health experts found that India, China, and Malaysia still produce and sell products that exceed U.S safety levels even products intended for children; lead paint is a danger to young children who often chew on toys, exposure to...