"Mattel takes full responsibility for these recalls and apologizes personally to you, the Chinese people, and all of our customers who received the toys," said Thomas A. Debrowski, Mattel's executive vice president for worldwide operations, speaking to China's product safety chief, Li Changjang, with reporters and company lawyers looking on.
Of course, many of Mattel's recalls were due to design flaws that had nothing to do with their suppliers and foreign factories. But it still seems strange that Mattel felt compelled to apologive to Chinese officials essentially because Mattel's problems were compounded by the use of illegal lead paint, usage that clearly is not limited to Mattel's suppliers.
Mattel clearly is concerned about backlash from the Chinese government and the possibility of more taxes and regulations that could stem from the embarrasment. Still, it's a bit worrisome when suppliers/manufacturers yield so much control over their customers' business.
Barbies dolls pay the ultimate price for containing lead paint. Onion.com
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