QualityInspection.org

Quality Assurance, Product Development, and Purchasing Strategies in China

SE Asia and India are more competitive than China on wages as of 2021, but should we abandon China?

We started comparing the average wages across Asia in 2015 to help importers decide which country might be the best option for them to source from. As I mentioned before, you need to consider the following data (among others): The trend of the average wages in the countries in question The stability of exchange rates, for example against the US dollar Back in 2015, China's increasing wages were followed by other neighboring countries. Its 'real' cost of skilled factory labor, which … [Read more...]

Sourcing from China (Part 2): Negotiating terms, leverage over suppliers, and describing your needs. [Podcast]

In this episode... In episode 65 we discussed the different supplier options open to buyers who’re sourcing from China. One of the options is to do the sourcing yourself. Many importers want to pursue this, so we're creating a mini-series of episodes that explores how to handle the sourcing process from China yourself with tips and best practices from Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran. In part 1 of the series (episode 69), we looked at the early stage of sourcing where you find your potential … [Read more...]

Remote Audit Of A Factory’s Quality System: It Can Work!

Performing a remote audit (conducted without actually going to the factory) is nothing new. And a lot of companies have started using them because of the covid-19 pandemic. In 2013, The ASQ Quality Press published eAuditing - Virtual Communication and Remote Auditing, and much of that book’s advice is still relevant today. After all, there were already iPads and iPhones, as well as wifi connections.  What’s new? There are a lot more options when it comes to hardware (typically on … [Read more...]

Sourcing From China Part 1: Sourcing Suppliers, Vetting Them, & Developing A Backup [Podcast]

In this episode… Renaud talks about sourcing with Adrian in this episode. Specifically, how to handle sourcing from China yourself. He shares tips on deciding the best fit for your business, where to search for potential suppliers, how to vet them once you have found a list, and how and why to develop a backup supplier. This is part 1 of the sourcing journey, and stay tuned as there are more to come..!   Just hit the play button to start listening..! Listen to the episode right here … [Read more...]

Which China Sourcing Option Is Best For You? [Podcast]

In this episode… Renaud and Adrian discuss your 4 China sourcing options: commissioned agents, trading companies, third-party service providers (like Sofeast) who provide sourcing as a paid service, and doing it yourself by going direct to manufacturers, including their pros and cons. Renaud also provides some insight into what exactly it takes to source directly from Chinese manufacturers yourself and shares some best practices for you to consider.   Just hit the play button to start … [Read more...]

Tips For Buyers On A Budget Who Want To Start Manufacturing In China [Podcast]

In this episode... You'll love this episode as it contains loads of helpful tips for buyers from China who're operating on a smaller budget from Sofeast's CEO Renaud and this week's guest, sourcing expert, Rico Ngoma from Source Find Asia. They talk you through what you really need to do and some ways to lower costs where possible, so, hopefully, you can start budgeting for what's essential and handle some things yourself. For instance, it's possible to do some due diligence on potential … [Read more...]

Manufacturing Distributed In China’s Countryside: Pros & Cons

Have you inquired about a production facility, only to be told production is done "in the village"? That's quite common if you purchase arts & craft, Christmas ornaments, certain textile products, and similar goods, from Zhejiang all the way to East Guangdong. The production work is distributed across a number of small family-run workshops and/or given to people who will do manual work in their homes -- and often both at the same time. Let's look at each of these situations. … [Read more...]

How To Qualify A Contract Manufacturer Or Component Supplier? (Best Practices)

In This Episode… We're often asked how to qualify a contract manufacturer or component supplier. In this episode, Renaud explores the best practices importers could follow when sourcing new manufacturers or suppliers in China, or beyond. This includes sourcing options (who to use), the typical sourcing process, if the lowest prices are always best, IP protection, manufacturer types, and CM sourcing tools and steps. The purpose of this episode is to give you the awareness of risks that … [Read more...]

List of 12 Plastic injection mold fabrication companies in China

High-pressure plastic injection molding is one of the most common fabrication processes. Tens of thousands of factories in Ningbo, Shenzhen, and in many other places have at least a few presses running near-continuously. If you develop your own product and it includes some custom plastic parts, you will probably need to invest in a mold. What should you know about this type of tooling, and what plastic injection mold fabrication companies in China can help you? … [Read more...]