Does any American toy manufacturer still exist?

[jimsmegos]

Not to ruffle any feathers or go all political, but I'm just curious if there are any toy manufacturers left in the US. I understand the cost aspect of producing everything overseas but does anyone know of any company that produces action figures state side? I did a google search and all I came up with were some educational things that were over priced (yeah I know, that's why everything is made in China or God forbid India).

Any input would be appreciated.

[toiletmonkey]

I dont know but it would be nice! if huge tax breaks were given maybe it could happen again?

[CaptainTrenchcoat]

I was trying to open a "made in America" only toy store about a year ago. Funds didn't work out but I found many manufacturers that were here. But no action figure companies. It's a darn shame too. I live in the Detroit area and there are lots of factories sitting vacant here and people needing jobs. Just don't have the resources to start somethng like that though.

[David Lee]

There are a couple of things that make it hard for American Factories to make toys.

The first is labor cost, it's hard to run a factory in the US without Unionized Labor with the exception of states where Right-to-work laws are statutes are enforced, allowed under provisions of the Taft-Hartley Act, which prohibit agreements between trade unions and employers making membership or payment of union dues or "fees" a condition of employment, either before or after hiring. This makes the labor cost very costly... China and India beat this hard 99 % of the time.

Secondly, the tooling cost here in the US is out of control! They charge 3-5 times what China charges and that's the back breaker. If tooling is so high you are limited as to the variety and frequency in which you can make things.

There are really few upsides to domestic production, besides the pride of MADE IN AMERICA and helping US citizens with jobs. Shipping is not appreciably cheaper. Having direct oversight over your production is nice, but nothing is perfect and you will likely have goof ups with domestic factories as well.

Government subsidization would be the only way to do it IMHO.

-Dave

[jimsmegos]

Thanks for the insight Dave. And again I'm not knocking the way things are so much as wanting to think about other options. We've got a couple tool & Die makers as well as plastic injection companies here where I live. To me they seem like all of the elements necessary to produce action figures so why not? I'm going to start beating the streets around here and see what I can find out. I'll keep everybody posted.

[AAAAA]

American processed plastics owner of GAY TOYS, still make toys in the USA
American Plastic Toys - Proudly made in the USA since 1962

[SeattleEd]

Jim,

This why I like custom made parts. Made in the USA by talented people. Yes, even here in the seattle the means to manufacture figures is apparent and many people are taking it upon themselves to make their, mostly artists. I would assume the cost of raw plastics would be expensive.
I would like to see some of the customizer's dolls made in small runs and made in America.
My reasons for american products is the obvious points aforementioned along with the political reasons that I won't delve into.
We only buy Made in USA products. It's tough but if you look you will find it, otherwise we just have it made. At this day in age, material items can be custom made in the USA. It's the materials that can be the issue.
We shop a lot at American Apparel for clothing. All made in Downtown L.A., non-sweat-shops.

[REMOVED]

Jim,

This why I like custom made parts. Made in the USA by talented people. Yes, even here in the seattle the means to manufacture figures is apparent and many people are taking it upon themselves to make their, mostly artists. I would assume the cost of raw plastics would be expensive.
I would like to see some of the customizer's dolls made in small runs and made in America.
My reasons for american products is the obvious points aforementioned along with the political reasons that I won't delve into.
We only buy Made in USA products. It's tough but if you look you will find it, otherwise we just have it made. At this day in age, material items can be custom made in the USA. It's the materials that can be the issue.
We shop a lot at American Apparel for clothing. All made in Downtown L.A., non-sweat-shops.

Right on! you are very groovy............ seriously.

[REMOVED]

There are really few upsides to domestic production, besides the pride of MADE IN AMERICA and helping US citizens with jobs. Shipping is not appreciably cheaper. Having direct oversight over your production is nice, but nothing is perfect and you will likely have goof ups with domestic factories as well.

Government subsidization would be the only way to do it IMHO.

-Dave

I think that helping US citizen's with jobs is a HUGE upside. And also, that everyone deserves a living wage. What has happened to the middle AND working class here in this country? Not being political here. This message will self destruct in ten seconds.... Boom.

p.s. buy my made in the u.s.a. custom crap

[REMOVED]

American processed plastics owner of GAY TOYS, still make toys in the USA
American Plastic Toys - Proudly made in the USA since 1962

ooo. Thanks. Gay toys. I remember a car they made that was Mego scale...

They are right here in Michigan by me... Just a hop and skip away.

[AAAAA]

ooo. Thanks. Gay toys. I remember a car they made that was Mego scale...

They are right here in Michigan by me... Just a hop and skip away.

made several
Corvette in different colors
TR7"the wedge"
Mustang
and Trans AM
VAN
Race cars

[The Bat]

I remember when I use to work with Jay...he said he'd like to produce his Mego figures at a Factory right here in Maine. I said what a radical idea, and you're crazy Man(in a good way). It's a really nice thought...but as David Lee said, it's just so cost prohibitive in the U.S..

[trekman101]

Unfortunately as David said...labor,tooling and operating costs are just to high in the US for a toy company to manufacture these type toys at a reasonable price..and I know some one is going to say the Mattel figures are high priced any way but if those figures were made here in the US, Mattel would be charging $40.00 instead of $20.00 a piece.....until there is some sort of "competitive cap" in favor of the toy companies expenses for manufacturing put in place,these type of toys will never be made in the US again

[REMOVED]

Unfortunately as David said...labor,tooling and operating costs are just to high in the US for a toy company to manufacture toys at a reasonable price..and I know some one is going to say the Mattel figures are high priced any way but if those figures were made here in the US, Mattel would be charging $40.00 instead of $20.00 a piece.....until there is some sort of "competitive cap" manufacturing price put in place,toys will never be made in the US again

Well, there actually are some toy companies in U.S. who are still in business. It would be interesting to hear their take on this.....

[trekman101]

Well, there actually are some toy companies in U.S. who are still in business. It would be interesting to hear their take on this.....

you are right..I have re-worded my original post