MEGA Brands honoured with tribute award at 30th Alpha Gala presented by the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Saint-Laurent-Mont-Royal

MONTREAL, May 16, 2014 /CNW/ - MEGA Brands is very proud to have been honoured with the Prix Hommage (tribute award) from the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Saint-Laurent-Mont-Royal, at the 30th Alpha, Gala, which celebrates the outstanding performance of companies in St-Laurent, Cartierville and Mont-Royal. This award acknowledges the success and influence of a large company in this territory.

Recent technological advances have made it possible to repatriate a large part of MEGA Brands' production from China to Montreal and enabled the company to set itself apart and accelerate its growth, while respecting the environment and sustainable development principles. The St-Laurent plant, the world's first toy manufacturing facility to be recognized as environmentally responsible, can now produce six times as many toys as before with the same amount of energy.  Moreover, for the same level of production, its greenhouse gas emissions are 500 times lower than those it generated in China. Over the past four years, production at the plant has tripled, in the same industrial facility.

"This award acknowledges the unprecedented efforts made by MEGA Brands and its 1,200 employees in recent years to achieve production costs that are competitive with the Asian market," said Jean-François Albert, vice-president, manufacturing, at MEGA Brands. "I would like to thank all our partners, in particular, Ville de St-Laurent and the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie, which have spared no effort in creating an economic and social environment that fosters development. MEGA Brands also thanks Investissement Québec for its consistent support during the last few years," he added.

Mattel's recent acquisition of MEGA Brands will be a sizeable advantage in stepping up the growth of MEGA Brands in the years ahead, since the company will be able to draw on the vast expertise of the global toy industry leader.

About MEGA Brands

A member of the Mattel family of companies, MEGA Brands Inc. is a trusted collection of leading global brands in construction toys, games & puzzles and arts & crafts. They offer engaging creative experiences for children and families through innovative, well-designed, affordable and high-quality products. MEGA^® Brands includes MEGA BLOKS^®, RoseArt^®, MEGA Puzzles^®, MEGA Games^® and Board Dudes^®. Visit http://www.megabrands.com for more information.

About Mattel

The Mattel family of companies (Nasdaq: MAT) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. Mattel's portfolio of best-selling brands includes Barbie^®, the most popular fashion doll ever produced, Hot Wheels^®, Monster High^®, American Girl^®, Thomas & Friends^® and Fisher-Price^® brands, including Little People^® and Power Wheels^®, MEGA^® Brands, including MEGA BLOKS^® and RoseArt^®, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2013, Mattel was named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by Ethisphere Magazine and in 2014 ranked No. 5 on Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, California, Mattel's companies employ nearly 30,000 people in 40 countries and territories and sell products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are Creating the Future of Play. Visit us at www.mattel.com, www.facebook.com/mattel or www.twitter.com/mattel.

SOURCE: MEGA Brands Inc.

Jean-François Albert, Vice-president, Manufacturing, 514-333-5555, ext. 2317, Cell: 514-513-6225, [email protected]