Last week, an importer was asking us how to avoid the formation of mold on the shoes they ship from China to Chile. The goods stay up to 50 days inside the container, so that was an extreme case. I suspect the materials are not treated … [Read more...]
Archives for April 2011
When will cheap manufacturing leave China?
Several factors are pushing the prices of made-in-China products up: the rise of the RMB against the US dollar, the factory labor shortage (because of demographic changes but also of alternative options for young workers), and the increases … [Read more...]
Finding a competent freight forwarder in China
I was graciously sent a copy of Find a Chinese Manufacturer, "A guide to the ins and outs of sourcing products in China" written by Michelle Vancisin. It is an easy read, and it's only 20 pages long. It is a good introduction for … [Read more...]
The Role Of Pre-Production Samples
If you source products from China or South-East Asia, you MUST require pre-production samples before production is launched. In some cases, it will be impossible, but the supplier should give you a clear explanation why if that's the … [Read more...]
The lack of transparency in China supply chains
One of the members of the Linkedin China Law Blog Group asked "why there aren't more companies in China that are totally transparent with their supply chain". The reason is that importers would take high risks by disclosing the names of … [Read more...]
Why checking quality during loading is a bad idea
This week I was on a trade show in Hong Kong. I met with many new (inexperienced) buyers. Several of them asked me "So, when do you check quality? When the factory is loading the container?" A container loading inspection is useful for … [Read more...]
Inspections of solar panels in China
This week I am on the Solar & Energy Saving Products China sourcing fair. We are exhibiting with an engineering firm specialized in solar panels (HCEA, based in Hong Kong), and it seems like these products are attracting a good … [Read more...]
How do your Chinese suppliers treat you?
I usually write about the way to treat Chinese suppliers to avoid problems. But it is also interesting to analyse how they treat their foreign customers. From my observations, I categorize the supplier's attitudes in four distinct … [Read more...]
Integrate inspection tools in your QC checklist!
About 3 months ago, my friend Greg designed an infographic about preparing a QC inspection checklist. It includes the definition of (a) product specifications to check, (b) potential defects to keep an eye out for, and (c) tests to perform … [Read more...]
When should you request quotations from Chinese factories?
Last week I wrote an article about disclosing a target price, and I made it look like there is only one sequence in the sourcing process: Contact 10 to 50 potential suppliers on online directories or trade shows; Ask them about their … [Read more...]