QualityInspection.org

Quality Assurance, Product Development, and Purchasing Strategies in China

CM + PCBA Factory vs. EMS Supplier in Shenzhen, China

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Companies that are developing a new electronic product for manufacturing in China tend to think of the way they should structure their supply chain. And they have an important decision to make. Do they choose a Contract Manufacturer buying from a PCBA factory or an EMS supplier in Shenzhen? … [Read more...]

Sourcing from Taobao for mass production? Stop it! [Podcast]

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In this episode… Renaud and Adrian from the team talk Taobao! Taobao is a huge Chinese online marketplace where it's possible to get almost anything at a decent price. The problem is, some importers have been purchasing components from there for use in their mass-produced products! You might be thinking: If prices are good and they have the items, what's the problem with sourcing from Taobao? Listen, and you'll find out..!   Just hit the play button to start … [Read more...]

Why and How to Control your Supplier’s Costs? [Podcast]

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In this episode… We conclude the mini-series we've been doing where Renaud provides you with the advice you need to source from China yourself.  We've covered the entire process from finding great suppliers, negotiating, manufacturing, communication, relationship-building, improving quality, and, now, controlling their costs. If your supplier's costs increase, the price you pay will surely follow, but, if you're in a position where they'll take your suggestions, there are some easy wins that … [Read more...]

How To Verify that a Component’s FCC or CE Certificate is Legitimate?

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If you are developing a new product, you need to pick standard off-the-shelf components and modules as much as possible and you need to consider compliance at this stage. If your product will include electronic components and will need to be FCC certified and/or bear a CE mark, selecting components/modules that are already certified will save you time and money. However, the question then becomes, how to make sure the certificates sent by suppliers are legitimate? I wrote some advice in … [Read more...]

What’s a Supplier Development Program, and Why Implement One? [Podcast]

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In this episode… Let's say you're now working with a new supplier who’s doing your manufacturing in China (or elsewhere in Asia). No doubt some things will be great, and there may be issues that you wish could improve. Rather than abandoning a supplier with some problems, how to develop them to obtain better performance and results? A supplier development program is for you. Furthermore, what sort of results should we be aiming for if we embark upon such a supplier development program? … [Read more...]

Are YOU A ‘Hands-On’ Or ‘Hands-Off’ Buyer? [Podcast]

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In this episode... Many importers are new to sourcing from China so we've been creating a mini-series of episodes that explores the sourcing process with advice and best practices from Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran. In this series of episodes, we’re exploring how to do your own sourcing from China, from finding suppliers for your products to getting them made. We’ve moved onto soft skills, and last time we spoke about building rapport with your suppliers. Now, we’re going to look at how … [Read more...]

How To Build Relationships With Suppliers? [Podcast]

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In this episode… In this series of episodes, we’re exploring how to do your own sourcing from China, from finding suppliers for your products to getting them made. Today, how to build relationships with suppliers! It includes hard skills, that we’ve already covered in episodes 1 to 4, such as identifying suppliers, negotiating terms and describing your specifications, how to manage projects, and how to check product quality. Click here to listen to those earlier episodes. However, … [Read more...]

Fabrication and Assembly Under the Same Roof: Benefits & Limitations

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Every week, several importing companies that are looking for a supplier reach out to us for help. In the past month, 3 or 4 of them were looking for a manufacturer for their new electronic product, and they had a specific request. They were looking for a factory in which both fabrication and assembly take place. What are the benefits and limitations of this..? … [Read more...]

Which Chinese Manufacturing Business Model Is Best For You? [Podcast]

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In this episode… Sofeast's CEO Renaud recently wrote this guest post on Harris Bricken's China Law Blog about which Chinese manufacturing business model importers will come across when sourcing a Chinese manufacturing partner. Today he goes deeper, joined by Adrian from the Sofeast team, and explains what the two models are in detail, why expectations about how most Chinese manufacturers will behave need to change, and their pros & cons to you if you're searching for a manufacturer right … [Read more...]

Chennai, India: A Growing Manufacturing Hub for Electronics

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Last month, in Moving Manufacturing to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, or India (Pros & Cons), I compared 4 manufacturing hubs in Asia that seem well-positioned to receive additional activity, as many American companies try and "decouple" from China: Ho Chi Minh City (Vietman) Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) Bangkok (Thailand) Chennai (India)   Chennai has been ramping up its manufacturing activity Well, it seems Chennai has been ramping up its activity fast. Maybe even too … [Read more...]