For some importers, everything (i.e. development, production, and shipments) is always done under intense timing pressure. Nothing can be done about it--it is imposed by their market. So, how can they ensure quick production in … [Read more...]
Four simple steps for starting to do quality control
Some importers have been buying from China for many years, and yet they have never done quality control in a professional manner. The science behind inspection protocols seems complex--nearly intimidating. Buyers don't know where to start, … [Read more...]
Risks of cancelled orders
I was talking with the boss of a trading company in Suzhou (Jiangsu province) earlier this week. I was actually doing an inspection for one of my clients from Canada. We were talking about the North-American market, and she told me that … [Read more...]
Use experienced service providers, not Chinese connections
Every year, I guess thousands of companies decide to start importing from China. Some of them already exist, and others are founded specifically for this activity. But overall, most of these companies know very little about China. They … [Read more...]
Understanding the Chinese system
I am reading River Town by Peter Hessler. This book is packed with insights about what I call the "Chinese system". The story takes place in a small town of Sichuan province, around 1997. The author worked there as a teacher. He wrote … [Read more...]
The challenges of foreign brands sourcing in China
A few days ago I talked to the quality assurance manager of an American brand name company. They have progressively outsourced production to China. And they sell mostly to large retailers in the US. An uncomfortable situation This is … [Read more...]
How suppliers can play to avoid QC inspections
Most inspections take place just before shipment. What type of issue does this create? And how can an unscrupulous supplier take advantage of it to avoid inspections? Chinese suppliers know when a shipment is urgent--the buyer is usually … [Read more...]
Quality system: a checklist for factory auditors
Factory audits, like product inspections, need to be performed in an objective manner. A buyer that pays for audits of two factories should be able to compare the findings and use them to pick a supplier. It means auditors should work … [Read more...]
Why we shouldn’t check 10% of the order quantity
Some of my new clients, when they book their first inspection, tell me "please check 10% of the order quantity". Here is what I typically respond: Usually we follow the statistical tables that everybody in the industry works with. They … [Read more...]
How Chinese factories treat their customers
After my post about how Chinese factory owners treat their workers, here is a post about how they treat their customers. Much could be said on this subject, but I gave a shot at summarizing it. Some customers are more equal than … [Read more...]
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