Big Take An American Toymaker Struggles to Break Up With China
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Oct 28, 2025 Alana Woldenberg-Ruffman, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development at Learning Resources, dives into the complexities of relocating toy production from China to Vietnam. She discusses the legal battle against US tariffs that prompted this shift and the challenges of scaling operations in a new environment. The impact on local communities, rising production costs, and reliance on Chinese components add to the intricate landscape. Alana also highlights the role of vocational schools in preparing a skilled workforce amid the factory boom in Vietnam.
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Factory Tour Reveals Production Gaps
- Learning Resources' vice president Alana Woldenberg-Ruffman toured Vietnamese factories to evaluate moving production out of China.
- She described hands-on inspections of molding, paint, and assembly lines and noted differences in automation and labor skills.
Tariffs Trigger Legal Fight And Supply Shakeup
- The US tariffs forced Learning Resources to accelerate a supply-chain overhaul and legal challenge.
- The company sued the administration and won in district court while the case proceeded to the Supreme Court.
Proactively Diversify Supply Chains
- Diversify your supply chain proactively to ride tariff uncertainty.
- Expect to move products more than once and plan for repeated adjustments.