And since no one posted this from the MP Grimlock discussion:

Do each Hasbro and TakaraTomy produce their own toys with different quality standards, or does one manage the production of all stock, and just forwards on the stock the other has ordered to their own design/deco specifications? If the latter, does TakaraTomy have higher production standards, or just better luck with their resulting product?

(I think they will be a bit defensive of that Q, and might not respond to it. If they don't I may resubmit the first part in the future, as the second part sounds like I'm insinuating something.)