Spin Master Toys (A): Finding a Manufacturer for E-Chargers

Spin Master Toys was a Canadian manufacturer of toys ready to produce its latest product, E-Charger, an electrically powered model airplane. The operations manager had to decide which supplier should design and manufacture this new product. The timeframe from design to delivery was very short, requiring an accelerated development schedule. The company had a short list of two potential companies, both located in the major toy manufacturing district of southern China, near Hong Kong. The operations manager had to develop the appropriate criteria for this decision and evaluate the two suppliers. With relatively little information and already behind schedule, the company must make its decision in the face of considerable uncertainty. The supplemental cases Spin Master Toys (B): A New E-Chargers Supplier? (product 9B01D002) and Spin Master (C): Keeping the E-Chargers' Wings On (product 9B01D003) follow the progress and the challenges of the production of the E-Charger.