Taiwan's USL shapes future of learning one cube at a time
Company pioneers global educational toy innovation with a portfolio of over 5,000 products
Aug. 11, 2025 10:33
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan-based Youth Toy Enterprise Co., better known as U.S.L., is quietly shaping how children around the world engage with math, creativity, and critical thinking — one colorful cube and miniature scale at a time.
Playing is not only fun but also essential for children’s development. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, play combines enjoyment with learning, using toys as key tools in this process to develop cognitive, motor, psychosocial, emotional, and language skills.
Founded in 1987 by Lin Fu-ji (林福基), U.S.L. began with a simple vision: to design educational toys that promote logic, creativity, and cognitive growth in young learners. From its base in New Taipei City, the company has grown into a global force in educational manipulatives, exporting to more than 80 countries.
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Its signature items, such as the Educational Math Linking Cubes, translucent blocks for light tables, and kids' balance scales, are now mainstays in classrooms across the globe. These tools help teachers transform abstract concepts into hands-on learning experiences, making lessons more engaging and effective.
Over the decades, U.S.L. has developed more than 5,000 educational manipulatives and completed various popular customized projects. Each product reflects the company’s commitment to thoughtful design, child-friendly engineering, and long-term durability.
U.S.L. serves as a manufacturer for internationally recognized educational brands, working with many building block companies worldwide. As global demand for STEM-focused educational manipulatives continues to grow, U.S.L. stands out not only as a manufacturer, but as a trusted partner in delivering learning experiences that are joyful, meaningful, and “Made in Taiwan.”
OEM and ODM services
What began as a small operation has evolved into a full-scale, one-stop manufacturing hub. U.S.L. now offers comprehensive OEM and ODM services, all managed under one roof in Taiwan.
This integrated setup includes product design, mold making, plastic fabrication, packaging development, and international shipping. This enables greater efficiency, transparency, and lower logistics costs for clients including wholesalers, retailers, and e-commerce brands.
U.S.L.’s ISO 9001-certified factory ensures strict quality control and assurance. (U.S.L. photo)
U.S.L.'s OEM Process:
- Product design and development – From ideas to prototypes using 3D modeling and toy-safe material guidance.
- Mold design and manufacture – In-house mold making ensures precision and faster turnaround.
- Plastic fabrication – Durable and safe plastics tailored to design specifications.
- Packaging development – Custom solutions that balance branding, cost, and protection; sustainable options available.
- Packaging and labeling – Barcodes, inserts, and labeling to meet global compliance.
- Quality inspection and shipping – Rigorous inspections and flexible delivery ensure on-time, reliable shipments.
To maintain consistency and safety, U.S.L. employs specialized equipment such as colorimeters for color accuracy, 2.5D projectors for component precision, height gauges for dimensional accuracy, and push-pull machines for testing strength under real-world play conditions.
Beyond toy manufacturing, the company is also deeply committed to making learning both enjoyable and sustainable. Eco-conscious practices are integrated across its entire production line.
Building blocks and components are crafted using GRS-certified post-consumer recycled plastics, while packaging materials feature FSC-certified paper and RoHS-compliant, plant-based inks. These measures help reduce environmental impact and ensure that children learn and play in safe, toxin-free environments.
Learning lights up lives
According to U.S.L., educational toys are tools that create meaningful opportunities and foster joy in learning around the world.
In collaboration with international organizations, the company donated its blocks and teaching aids to the New Hope Centre in Eswatini, Africa, where a repurposed shipping container serves as a school. There, children with limited resources use these materials to explore numbers, logic, and creativity, reinforcing the company’s mission to make learning accessible and enjoyable for all.
Closer to home, U.S.L. promotes playful learning through public events. At the Taoyuan Lantern Festival this year, the company presented sculptural gift sets, such as a rocking horse and airplane, constructed entirely from recycled plastic blocks, highlighting both childhood imagination and the importance of reuse.
The company also participated in the Yilan Green Expo, inviting families to build their own models, encouraging hands-on engagement and environmental awareness.
U.S.L. brings educational toys to Eswatini, where children are playing to learn and learning to play. (U.S.L. photo)
From concept to completion
U.S.L. works closely with clients at every stage through a clear, six-step collaboration process:
- Discovery and consultation – Understanding goals and product vision.
- Design and research and development – Finalizing product concepts with expert guidance.
- Prototyping and testing – Creating and refining working models.
- Production planning – Selecting materials, packaging, and timeline.
- Manufacturing – Scalable output from certified facilities.
- Quality control and compliance – Full quality checks aligned with global safety standards.
Certified quality, ethical manufacturing
U.S.L. is ISO 9001-certified and has passed all Sedex Ethical Trade audits. The company meets the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit four-pillar standard, covering labor rights, health and safety, environmental responsibility, and business ethics.
It has also passed audits, confirming compliance in areas such as quality management, environmental systems, service quality, and occupational safety.
Additionally, U.S.L. uses packaging materials certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, ensuring that all paper-based components come from responsibly managed and sustainable sources. With its end-to-end services, strict quality control, and unwavering commitment to education, U.S.L. continues to inspire the next generation of learners — one smartly designed toy at a time.
U.S.L. remains dedicated to founder Lin’s guiding principles of “high quality, high efficiency, and high service.” With deep roots in Taiwan and a clear vision for the future, this quiet innovator continues to transform the way children learn, through play.