'Made in U.S.A.' Stages a Comback

[David Zephyr]

Source: Associated Press

As consumers look for alternatives to Chinese-made toys following a series of recalls this year, dozens of small toy companies are struggling to meet surging demand. Some owners report online sales up as much as fivefold from last year. They're hiring extra workers, expanding warehouses and adding extra assembly shifts.

"Every time there'd be a new recall this summer, we'd get a huge new order," Evanoff said as she watched contract manufacturers stuffing neon-colored copters, rubber bands and wooden sticks into plastic packages. "We didn't stop all summer long."

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Retailers such as FAO Schwartz Inc. and Toys "R" Us Inc. downplay the recalls, saying they aren't likely to dent holiday sales or significantly change their orders. About 80 percent of toys sold in the United States are made in China.

Executives at Mattel Inc. — which has had 20 million toys recalled — are touting improved manufacturing standards. Safety experts say American toys aren't necessarily safer than those made in China; Europe has the highest standards, but even there quality varies from factory to factory.

Experts say even if Americans produce several hundred thousand more U.S.-made Little Tykes, K'Nex or Rainbow Creatures, China will retain manufacturing dominance in the $22.3 billion toy industry.

"It's a blip," said New York-based toy consultant Chris Byrne. "In the fourth quarter, a lot of purchases are made based on supplications to the North Pole — and the phrase 'country of origin' isn't in the vocabulary of children writing to Santa."

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"We've had so many phone calls from moms and grandmas who think this is really serious and say they'll never buy a toy made in China," Meister said. "Next year at this time — when an awesome new battery-operated toy comes out and it's made in China — will people say no way? It just depends on the mood of the consumer."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071013/ap_on_bi_ge/american_toy_boom;_ylt=ArCxVoaCQ0fPRvGD4iRL4_eyBhIF

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"It's just a blip."

[xchrom]

1. if people can stop and think past their pocket books for just one second --

it won't be a blip.

as they pick up a product and think -- just a passing thought -- this could be my job.

[angstlessk]

2. You are exactly correct....parents will ALWAYS pay more for the protection

of their children. American companies have the ABILITY to create ALL toys of ANY kind...why not? and as a bonus...no lead paint to make your kid a slow learner in school!

[Mika]

3. Most dental patients don't know that Chinese dental prosthetics are flooding the market.

Yet another innovative US manufacturing sector (dental laboratories) that is being destroyed by cheap prosthetics from China (made from who knows what and who knows how).

Ask your dentist where your dental work is made.

Insist on US fabricated dental prosthetics.




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[awoke_in_2003]

9. And, unfortunately

American dentist still insist that sticking mercury in your head is a good thing.

[Fredda Weinberg]

4. 'Look for the union label' ... does anyone else remember that jingle?

Why does American labor think it doesn't need PR? It's a pay to play media and we've unilaterally disarmed.

[niyad]

5. I have, for decades now, refused to buy anything with a "made in china" label on it

[glowing]

6. Its not a blip for me corporate asshats. But thanks for playing this game.

[Bitwit1234]

7. I always hit the Dollar Store for Christmas decorations since

they only last a year or two I just throw most of them away and buy new ones. Well my son also buys his throw away shavers there also. So I went up and down the aisles and saw they had canned goods and preserves. Since they are so expensive in the store and after I use it once I don't like all the different kinds, I started to buy cherry and currant and try them out. No way. they were made in Spain. Maybe Spain might be ok but I am not buying any thing unless it is good old USA even tho some of that has been suspect lately. So then I went to the peaches and looked at the packer. Most were overseas also. Then I found some from California and bought them. I will never ever buy a product unless it is made here again.

[jeff30997]

8. "It's a blip,"

Well blip my ass !

[awoke_in_2003]

10. Don't say that

people might think your a republican politician :)

[Saturday]

11. I've even started checking my apple juice.

Much of our apple juice is made from apple concentrate from China. You have to check everything these days. It takes me longer to grocery shop.

[me b zola]

12. here's what people will get for their efforts:

"Made in the Marianna Islands" with slave labor and supporting forced prostitution.

Of course, the above will not be on the label that is stamped "Made in USA".