Articles
Sourcing from China 101, part 13 The 5 steps to developing a Chinese supplier
Many importers work in one or two product categories. They buy 80% of their volume from 1-4 manufacturers. And many of them make the same mistake: they don’t try to improve their CURRENT suppliers. Instead, they spend time sourcing NEW factories ....
How to Find Chinese Suppliers Used by Apple, Disney, IKEA & Other Brands
Wouldn't be great if you could just skip wasting your time on Alibaba.com or trade shows, and go straight to a supplier making goods for Apple or Disney? Clearly, quality products are manufactured in China. If you could only get hold of a 'big br....
China OEM manufacturing contracts: The questions we ask
As China and its laws change, the China lawyers at my firm must constantly adjust, usually just ever so slightly. This adjustment can include even how we draft our contracts for China. And oftentimes, with even small changes in how we draft our contract....
Avoiding plastic injection molding defects: Key preventive measures
Plastic injection molding is one of the most common production processes here in China. And most Chinese manufacturers are not very good at setting up and maintaining their presses and their molds… If the right polymer is used, and if the factory....
6 Ways Chinese Suppliers Can Win Customers & Increase Profit Margins
I’ve spent the last few years, covering every angle of manufacturing in China, from a buyer point of view. Today, I turn things upside down, by seeing things from the supplier’s perspective. After all, China is a top 10 country in terms of reader....
5 Key Takeaways from The Beginner’s Guide to Outsource Manufacturing
Many people seek outsourcing production so they can focus their resources on the areas that increase revenue and profit. If outsourcing reduces manufacturing costs, the company can increase its revenue through a better focus on sales and marketing, ther....
Product Spec Sheet Why You Need One in China
Good results with sourcing, price negotiations, and product quality from China starts with a good product spec sheet. Relying on product links (or pictures), a few random points on product functionality, and broad descriptions such as “best quality” sig....
Avoiding quality issues during storage and transportation
When sourcing products from China or other Asian countries, you shouldn’t underestimate the chances of things going wrong during storage and transportation. The products can be in a good state before shipment but if they are not packed, stored an....
It's Not Just About Quality: 4 More Factors to Consider When Sourcing
How important is product quality really? In a survey of almost 5,000 importers on our website since October 2016, 57 percent said managing product quality is their greatest manufacturing challenge. Of course, there's no disputing the massive....