I am often asked about the best B2B directory for finding good Chinese suppliers. I usually say "check out Global Sources". This company offers many free resources for importers (in addition to the ability to search for suppliers). So … [Read more...]
The trend to buying lower quantities from China
Wholesalers and retail chains make up the vast majority of the products imported from China. They buy large volumes, and then sell the good out of their inventory -- either to several domestic customers, or in their own stores. This is the … [Read more...]
Why few Chinese factories are adopting lean principles
A few days ago, I wrote that yes, lean production IS possible in China... But it will take a long time to become as widespread as in Japan. In the 1970s, everyone in the Japanese car industry was wondering what allowed Toyota to resist … [Read more...]
Yes, lean production is possible in China
The Supply Chain Management Review just published a really lame article (Why China Is Not Ready for Lean Projects). The author is Rosemary Coates, an American consultant. I gave only 2 stars out of 5 to her book about China sourcing (see … [Read more...]
How small Chinese manufacturers think
There are constant misunderstandings between some importers and their suppliers. The reason is that most purchasers are not familiar with the way Chinese manufacturers think. And they are incapable of placing themselves in their supplier's … [Read more...]
The buyer’s checklist for the Canton Fair
The first session of the Canton Fair is opening in a few days, and a sourcing agency (the China Performance Group) just published a useful checklist for buyers who are planning to attend it. You can download it here after registering on … [Read more...]
Rising prices in China: 5 solutions for importers
The RMB rate has been going up steadily against the USD (see below), and labor costs have been increasing even faster. When you add the raises in shipping rates and in certain raw materials prices, prices have often increased by more than … [Read more...]
Buying standard products in China: how to inspect quality?
I have been in contact with an Indonesian importer who is in the following situation: He buys standard products, The supplier requests 100% payment before shipment, The factory has shown in the past that it can't be trusted at … [Read more...]
A couple of housekeeping notes
1. Disqus I finally decided to install Disqus for managing comments. By providing more options, I hope to get more comments from readers. For example, some people don't comment because they don't want to reveal anything about themselves … [Read more...]
How to manage Chinese staff: 3 steps to empowerment
After 5 years working full time in China (and a lot of trial-and-error), I start to understand how to manage Chinese staff for best results. I think one can distinguish three levels, from micro-management (everybody hates it) all the way … [Read more...]
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