A supplier complained to my client that our inspections don't help them improve their quality level. A bit of context: for this client we perform inspections during production (as soon as there are a few finished products) on the biggest … [Read more...]
Preventing parallel supply chains
In my last post I wrote about what I call "parallel supply chains" from China to Western countries: stock lots left in factories, and copies of brand name products. My clients usually don't buy stock lots, and they never buy any … [Read more...]
Stock Lots and Brand Name Copies – Secret Export Businesses
Earlier this week, I had opportunities to discover two “non-standard” or "parallel" types of export businesses, right here in South China. I was happy to learn more about them, and I thought it might also be of interest to some … [Read more...]
China production: what sort of hammer do you use?
A post on Seth Godin's blog (Hammer Time) got me thinking about China sourcing. So, if it's true that to a person with a hammer, every problem looks like a nail, the really useful question is, "what sort of hammer do you have?" One study … [Read more...]
Chinese makers and complacency
Last week I met with an importer who complained that her long-time suppliers don’t make efforts any more. They assume they are doing a “good enough” job, since they have gotten orders so regularly for so long. The problem is that the … [Read more...]
What is YOUR opinion about these products?
QC inspections often fail. Actually, most of the time there is at least a discrepancy and/or too many defects. When my Chinese inspectors announce that the inspection is failed, the supplier usually focuses on the points that triggered … [Read more...]
When suppliers contact each other
Most Chinese suppliers are fighting to get a share of the export business. Their margins are often quite slim because of intense pressure on prices. However, the situation is not always as simple as one may imagine. The exporters of a given … [Read more...]
How to deal with laboratory tests?
I received a message from a potential client who is starting to import garments into the US. I broke it up in different parts, and I inserted my responses below. It might be helpful to other importers wondering how to comply with their … [Read more...]
Internal quality control in Chinese factories
Many Chinese suppliers tell 'white lies' to their customers. They think it is the safest and easiest option. They also think foreign buyers don't suspect it, simply because they are far away and "they don't know how production works". I … [Read more...]
Traveling to factories in China
I spend about half of my time traveling, most of the time to industrial areas in China. These days I am a city I had never heard of, in Guangxi province. There was no airport close to my destination point, so I came with a night bus and I … [Read more...]
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