Toymaker refocuses on growth after Supreme Court win

Learning Resources CEO Rick Woldenberg said the Supreme Court ruled against tariffs imposed under a national-emergency law, and his companies shifted production to Vietnam and India while planning modest hiring and facility consolidation for 2026.

Rick Woldenberg, chief executive of Learning Resources and hand2mind, said his companies won a Supreme Court ruling challenging tariffs and are now turning attention to rebuilding and growth. The businesses were repeatedly disrupted last year by shifting tariff rules, and Woldenberg moved much production to countries such as Vietnam and India to lower duties. He said urgent supply-chain issues have been addressed and that 2026 is being treated as an opportunity to expand. The companies avoided layoffs during the disruption and are beginning to rehire. Key facts: - The Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed under a national-emergency law were illegal, according to reports. - Woldenberg shifted a large portion of production to Vietnam and India after the administration’s changing tariff regime. - The companies finished 2025 roughly 20% below the budget the team had set. - Learning Resources and hand2mind avoided layoffs but paused hiring and slowed training during the tariff disruptions. - The firms plan to hire an initial 10 to 15 people across sales, product development, marketing and warehouse roles, and to consolidate operations into a new building over the next two years. - The court ruling did not address repayment of already-collected tariff revenue; Woldenberg expects reimbursement but said the timing and process are undetermined, and he noted the possibility of future tariff actions under different legal authorities. Summary: The court decision removed a legal obstacle while the company has already adapted its supply chain and taken steps to stabilize operations. Management reports plans for modest hiring and property consolidation in 2026, though reimbursement of past tariffs remains unresolved. The company also acknowledged the risk that future policy choices could again affect global trade and costs.