A couple of weeks ago, I sat down with David Collins (consulting director of China Manufacturing Consultants, a company I am involved in) and we shot a few videos on topics related to factory improvement in the Chinese context.

We have already uploaded some of them. They are very instructive, and about 2 minutes long. They are on Youtube and soon will also be on Youku.

Quality Improvement

Here are two concepts that 99.9% of Chinese factories don’t apply. Hence the heavy reliance on final inspections.

How to Mistake Proof Operations in China Factories

How good engineers can reduce opportunities for mistake, or make mistakes immediately obvious (before they become defects). It usually costs close to nothing.

How to Use Statistical Process Control (SPC) in a China Factory

Collecting data and running simple analyses can guide process improvement. These statistical techniques are much more simple than most people think.

General Improvement

3 Priorities for Chinese Factories: Quality, Maintenance, and Productivity 

What most manufacturers should focus on, and why.

Preventive and Predictive Maintenance for Chinese Factories

Basics about a solid maintenance policy.

How to Prevent Corruption of Purchasers in China

Tips to reduce opportunities to get kickbacks from suppliers.

How to Achieve Quick Changeovers in Chinese Factories

Did you see specialized mechanics changing tooling with cranes, and putting them in place with bolts? It is a sure sign of a factory that is very far behind best practices.