This is the last part in this 15-part series. Here we’ll focus on how to improve factory productivity in China. Why is it important for buyers? Because, unless your suppliers make progress in this area in the next 5-10...
I bet you are tired of hearing your Chinese suppliers say “this is made by hand, so avoiding defects is impossible”. So am I, because it’s so wrong. Some small factories have decreased their defect rate below 50 parts...
Many importers work in one or two product categories. They buy 80% of their volume from 1-4 manufacturers. And many of them make the same mistake: they don’t try developing a Chinese supplier who they are CURRENTLY working with....
Up until now, I have written advice that is targeted at certain types of importers. I call them the “hands-on buyers”, and I know them well because many of them are our clients. They tend to follow their production...
Up until now, I have written lessons about “hard” issues: screening suppliers, writing specifications, negotiating the right terms, and inspecting quality. But I feel I should take a moment and focus on “soft” issues, and in particular, how to...
Once the products hit your dock and once you have paid 100% of the order, there is little you can do in case products are not up to your specifications. Chances are, you have already paid the supplier in...
I’ll assume you have found and audited a good manufacturer. They have communicated well up until now, and you feel confident about them. But should you feel confident? Several things can go wrong: They might be too busy and...
One recurring theme in this course is that you should not rely on the supplier’s salespeople. Most of them would have been hired solely on the basis of their English skills. They are interpreters with very little technical knowledge,...
I have stated several times that you need to describe your product in detail. I know this is obvious, but most buyers don’t do is well… and often regret it later. There are two ways of formalizing your requirements:...
Up until now, I have explained how to find a good supplier and what terms to negotiate from the get-go. But this is not enough. Buyers who are new to China often make a mistake: they trust their suppliers...
This is a blog written by Renaud Anjoran, an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer who has been involved in chinese manufacturing since 2005.
He is the CEO of The Sofeast Group.
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