Company's Global Manufacturing Principles Mark 10-Year Milestone in 2007
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As part of its
ongoing commitment to global citizenship, sustainability and corporate
responsibility worldwide, Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) today issued its 2007
Global Citizenship Report, the company's second such report, in conjunction
with the 10-year milestone for its Global Manufacturing Principles (GMP).
"Our Global Manufacturing Principles are an industry-defining set of
standards," said Robert A. Eckert, chairman and chief executive officer of
Mattel. "During the past decade, our efforts have had a positive and
lasting impact on how the global toy industry views ethical manufacturing
practices, and we continue to bring transparency into the process."
Mattel's 2007 Global Citizenship Report provides detailed information
about the company's environmental and social performance, results,
challenges and strategies for continuous improvement, and explains how the
company's global citizenship initiatives are linked to its core values:
Play with Passion, Play to Grow, Play Together and Play Fair.
With the launch of its GMP in November 1997, Mattel became one of the
first consumer products companies to employ independent monitoring of its
manufacturing facilities and make findings available to the public, and
continues to be the only toy company to have such a program in place.
Mattel's GMP is the cornerstone of the company's ongoing commitment to
ethical manufacturing practices by seeking to ensure that wages, working
and living conditions and employee access to management are just and fair,
as well as to assure protection of the environment.
According to Eckert, Mattel's focus on ethical practices is simply the
right thing to do. "As the industry leader, we know that how we achieve
success is just as important as what we achieve," he said.
Highlights and Achievements in Mattel's 2007 Global Citizenship report
include:
* Three years after releasing its first report, Mattel remains the only
company in the toy industry (and still one of the few in the consumer
goods industry) to have an independent, third-party monitoring program,
with reports published for public access providing transparency into
the manufacturing process.
* Development of a long-term Sustainability Strategic Plan to help
maximize efficiency, minimize waste and manufacture in a more
environmentally sustainable manner.
* Assessment of environmental initiatives using key performance
indicators for 96 percent of owned, operated or managed facilities over
20,000 square feet.
* Overview of the 10 ways children benefit from play as they grow and
develop, during four key stages of growth.
* Feedback from a variety of stakeholders, ranging from leading
non-profit organizations, experts in ethical manufacturing and safety
and business partners.
* Highlights of how Mattel's Philanthropy Programs, including the Mattel
Children's Foundation, product donations and volunteer experiences,
impacted the lives of approximately 5 million children in 2006. Mattel
donated almost $20 million in cash and in-kind product donations to
charitable activities, equivalent to more than 2 percent of pretax
profits. The Mattel Children's Foundation has made grants in
40 countries, including the U.S.
Enhancements to the new report include a snapshot of the company's
environmental footprint; engagement efforts with a variety of stakeholders;
greater discussion around future goals and challenges; increased
transparency and reporting around conditions at supplier facilities;
context on the progress of Mattel's worldwide programs; key performance
indicators, such as product integrity, safety, valued workforce and
environmental sustainability; corporate governance practices; and
philanthropic endeavors.
Mattel produced its 2007 Global Citizenship Report with sustainability
in mind, from paper to production. Both the design firm and printer, which
also is a minority-owned business, are recognized for sustainable
practices.
Mattel's 2007 Global Citizenship Report, as well as the companion
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) report, can be accessed on the company's
corporate website (http://www.mattel.com/csr). Looking ahead, Mattel is committed
to maintaining an ongoing dialogue with its stakeholders and welcomes
feedback at global.citizenship@mattel.com.
Additionally, Mattel plays an active role under the umbrella of the
International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI) to forge a proactive
alliance among the industry members to implement a common code of conduct
-- known as the CARE Process -- that is substantive, credible and
transparent, and thereby making the global toy industry a torch bearer for
ethical and socially responsible conduct.
About Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and
marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie(R), the most
popular fashion doll ever introduced. Mattel's first Corporate Social
Responsibility Report was released in 2004. The Mattel family is comprised
of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels(R), Matchbox(R), American
Girl(R), Radica(R) and Tyco(R) R/C, as well as Fisher-Price(R) brands
(http://www.fisher-price.com), including Little People(R), Rescue Heroes(R), Power
Wheels(R) and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With
worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than
30,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more
than 150 nations throughout the world. Mattel's vision is to be the world's
premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.
SOURCE Mattel, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.fisher-price.com
http://www.mattel.com/csr
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/540363.html /
CONTACT:
Jules Andres of Mattel, Inc.,
+1-310-252-3529, Jules.Andres@mattel.com
|
