For HaPe Intl., China is Perfect for Producing Quality Toys Sherwood Park, AB – Even in hindsight Peter Handstein would have made the same decision he made over ten years ago: to migrate his German expertise in manufacturing high quality toys to China where he would build a production facility of his own. That business decision has been one of the most significant ones for HaPe in their quest to get good quality toys in the hands of children around the world. "The safety and quality of a product are the responsibility of the company, not the country," insists Handstein. Behind the award-winning collection of HaPe-branded toys is a combination of German-based production process steeped in quality practices and an eager and innovative Chinese workforce. Handstein built the 60,000 square foot facility in Ningbo in 1995, employing 90 workers and growing to 200,000 square feet in 2005. A modern coastal city, Ningbo allowed for easy export and access to a reliable workforce. The safety of children is extremely important to HaPe as a manufacturer whose range of toys is inspired by children. That is precisely why they place such high standards on the careful selection and processing of materials in the development of their toys. According to Ms. Qiu, "In our wholly-owned factory in China we continually fine-tune our processes to ensure product safety." How HaPe Ensures Safe Toys All HaPe products conform to heavy metal (toxicology) testing as required by the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) for the US and Canada. They also meet all industry standards including EN 71 (European Standard). The manufacturing facility in China operates according to strict quality processes and is licensed to export products from China to the U.S. Handstein introduced quality principles upon the opening of the Chinese manufacturing headquarters after years of running the German plant. In 2000, HaPe became one of the first toy manufacturers in China to become ISO 9001 certified, later adding ISO 14001. Today Handstein runs the day-to-day operation and has a German technical team oversee production and perform safety audits. In addition, Ms. Qiu makes quarterly trips to China to review new products and assure quality. Product testing is performed on each HaPe Bamboo product before it is shipped to retailers. All other HaPe products are tested at initial development and two years later (in compliance with ASTM and EN71 standards). SGS, a leading independent inspection, verification, testing and certification company headquartered in Geneva Switzerland, has been contracted with to ensure products comply with regulations, standards and contractual specifications. Should a safety issue occur, HaPe works with the CPSC to investigate and take corrective action. This may escalate to a recall, even though a consumer has not reported one. Over the years HaPe has had one incidence requiring CPSC involvement. In May of 2007 they worked with the CPSC when 5,000 Bamboo Anima games sold only at Target were recalled after safety testing revealed the subcontractor used paint containing lead when they depleted their supply. The required imported ink from Germany was not used and Hape no longer contracts with that subcontractor. Today manufacturing is more tightly controlled and testing, prior to export from China and at random, occurs regularly. To avoid a repeat of this occurrence employees have been trained in quick and effective interventions and supply chain management. They source top-of-the-line materials from responsible suppliers around the world. The required raw materials list includes birch plywood from Russia, lacquer from Belgium and beech wood and water stain from Germany. HaPe practices good environmental stewardship by replacing trees in specific areas where they have harvested raw materials. Thinking “green” in 2003, they were the first manufacturer in the world to use highly sustainable bamboo in toys with a range of games called Bamboo. That was when UNESCO (United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) other international organizations and HaPe conducted a workshop with designers, teachers, therapists and architects from 15 countries. The workshop resulted in possible solutions to the challenges in using bamboo - bamboo can outgrow any other plant in the world - as a substitute for wood. This range of award winning games and creative play sets have been readily accepted by retailers as more and more consumers look for environmentally sound products.