A severe accident took place last weekend in Kunshan (very close to Shanghai). Many good articles have covered it and exposed the facts. It was apparently triggered by poor ventilation that allowed dusk to accumulate and cause an … [Read more...]
An Interesting Example of China Quality Scandal
The Changzhutan, a Chinese newpaper, just revealed one more food scandal. Most details have been translated by The Nanfang Insider into English. 1. The facts Most street vendors sell beef and lamb meat-on-a-stick at the same price. It's … [Read more...]
China Manufacturing: Options for Payment
Many inexperienced importers accept the payment terms proposed by Chinese suppliers without thinking twice. Yet this topic is directly linked to the amount of risk each party takes. It is extremely important. 1. The most common payment … [Read more...]
China’s Logistical Challenges and Opportunities
Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently. The flow of things This article exposes China's paradox when it comes to logistics: infrastructures are often excellent, but shipping products within China is … [Read more...]
Three Simple Steps to Reduce Risks when Buying in China
A client asked me this question recently: Is there any way I can get some assurance of the validity of the company as well as the quality of the final product before sending full payment? They have asked for a 30% deposit by T/T. I get … [Read more...]
Auditing a Trading Company in China: What Checklist to Follow?
In some cases, it makes sense for an importer to work with a trading company and to count on them for managing developments and productions properly. Since a trading company is supposed to follow up on production and since … [Read more...]
Tips for Selecting Chinese Suppliers of Injection Molded Products
As I wrote before, the China sourcing process of two importing companies can be very different, while still making sense in each buyer's context. When it comes to purchasing injection or rubber injection-molded products, buyers generally … [Read more...]
Difficulties of Relocating Production in the US
Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently. Walmart's 'Made in USA' push exposes strains of manufacturing rebirth In January 2013, Walmart promised to favor US-made products. But those companies trying to … [Read more...]
Why you Need a Backup Factory for your China Production
In this article, I want to give advice to importers of custom products (i.e. not "off the shelf") who just spent many months getting a new product development right and that are ready to launch manufacturing in China. Chances are, they … [Read more...]
7 Mistakes Chinese Factories Make in Production Planning
Anybody who has imported products from China can attest that the planning process of most manufacturers is not exactly under control. The sad reality is, buyers are often happy when a shipment is "only" 10 days behind the promised … [Read more...]