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...]
Using penalties effectively
Some importers can afford to conduct business in a friendly way with their Chinese suppliers. I am thinking of buyers who give regular orders to a few stable vendors, who don't work under intense timing pressure, and who enjoy a large … [Read more...]
Corruption of quality inspectors
This week my company had a booth on a China Sourcing Fair. I noticed that some questions/remarks came back regularly. A few days ago I wrote about importers who ask us the contacts of good factories. Another hot topic was how easily a … [Read more...]
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