I see many importers coming to China and negotiating prices really hard. The experienced ones know that the factory might drop the order later, or worse produce with substandard material and/or methods. As long as they are aware of it, … [Read more...]
How product design can create production quality issues
Today I was in a factory of silicon products (cookware, phone covers...). My client was buying the cover for a TV remote control. Production started earlier this week, and I was called in urgently to find solutions to production quality … [Read more...]
Following production issues in China: what it takes
A reader who is going to follow production issues in China for a US company sent me a message. He asks what it takes to do that kind of job properly. Here are a few elements of response: First, it helps to be an engineer or a designer, … [Read more...]
Automation in Chinese factories: not a solution!
Every time I read an article about rising Chinese labor costs, it seems there are only two solutions: moving to inland provinces or automating production. I do not really buy into these proposals, and I want to focus on the myth of … [Read more...]
Why you should ignore guanxi in China
There has been a bunch of blog posts about guanxi recently -- on Chinese Negotiation, on the China Law Blog, on Silicon Hutong, and others. My audience is mostly interested in sourcing and QC issues in China. What should you do about the … [Read more...]
Quality control vs. process improvement
Quality control is basically the activity of checking results. Independent QC inspectors check if finished products are conform to a set of specifications, and usually do not have the know-how to check the production processes … [Read more...]
Dangers of going to factories in China [photos]
I tend to write too much text on this blog, so here are three recent photos to illustrate the dangers of going to factories in China. First, a bus accident that involved one of my inspectors yesterday: We are not sure what happened. It … [Read more...]
Managing Chinese suppliers: how to maintain your authority
Some of my clients are great at managing their Chinese suppliers and finding quick solutions to any issue that arises. But other importers consistently let factories force their hands--it seems they have no authority at all! For example, … [Read more...]
Quality assurance in China: best practices [free e-book]
I have been writing about quality assurance issues in China for more than 18 months on this blog. It has pushed me to clarify my thinking, to be more curious, and to get in touch with many interesting people. A blog is perfect for … [Read more...]
The aspirations of the new generation of Chinese workers
Several of my clients recently asked me about the shortage of workers and the increases in salaries that most suppliers complain about. Basically, they wonder if this is a seasonal trend. My opinion is that it is a long-term tendency that … [Read more...]
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