Mattel used to manufacture toys in the U.S., specifically in Western New York, where it still has offices. Now Rep. Louise Slaughter is calling for Mattel to repair its reputation by opening a plant in her district.

Slaughter, D-Fairport, made the suggestion to Robert A. Eckert, chairman and chief executive officer of Mattel — Fisher-Price’s parent company — in a Nov. 12 phone call.

Slaughter said Eckert made no commitments, other than to tell her he would think about the idea. “Obviously he’s not going to rush into this,” she said.

The congresswoman said she was motivated to call Eckert after watching Mattel announce recalls due to excessive lead paint in toys produced in China. Slaughter said she felt the recalls have harmed the toymaker’s image.

“I told him if he wanted instant rehabilitation of his reputation, he would announce (toy manufacturing) was coming back to Western New York,” she said Monday.

Mattel closed its last U.S. manufacturing plant in 2001, and has not manufactured toys in Western New York since 1997.

Would opening a plant in the U.S. repair Mattel’s image? Do you plan on buying any Mattel toys in the near future?

Slaughter asks Mattel to open plant here [Buffalo Business Today]
(Photo:willc2)

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