Mattel 2000 Annual Report Download - page 6

four
corporate governance principles and management
accountability for enhancing shareholder value.
Finally, focusing our efforts to ensure indus-
try leadership for Mattel is paramount. Therefore,
we are committed to helping improve the communi-
ties we serve. We continue to advance our work
with the Mattel Independent Monitoring Council
(MIMCO), whose role is to develop standards for
working conditions and to monitor the performance
of our plants around the world in meeting those
standards. In response to MIMCO’s recommenda-
tions, we have made new capital investments in
China. And our charitable support allows the
Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA to continue its
pioneering research while beginning construction of
a new, world-class facility.
Looking ahead, we have four priorities for Mattel:
1. To strengthen core brand momentum in
the U.S. and abroad;
2. To execute the financial realignment plan,
and deliver the cost savings announced in
September;
3. To improve supply chain performance and
customer service levels; and
4. To develop our people, and improve our
employee development processes.
I am honored to lead Mattel. When I joined
the company in May, I committed to building our
brands, cutting costs and developing our people.
We have subsequently turned those objectives into
action, and have refocused the company on strategies
that have historically provided top-tier returns to
shareholders across the entire consumer goods sector.
We have defined success for Mattel and,
most important, you have my unwavering commit-
ment to achieving it.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Eckert
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
March 22, 2001