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Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently. The New Chinese Factory This is NOT an article about the average Chinese manufacturer. It describes what one of the most sophisticated manufacturers does, and it should give us a taste of what is to come in the Chinese high-tech industry. (I found this article via Etienne Charlier from Procur'Asia.) Your Supplier Didn’t Sign Up For This…. Jacob Yount gives examples of the typical miscommunication that happens … [Read more...]

When we redesigned this website a few months ago, we wanted it to be very simple. We even removed the "resource" pages. But the problem with a blog is, the best articles get buried in the mass. So we gathered them in several topics that can be accessed on this page. Happy reading! … [Read more...]

Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently. Product Testing and Certification when Buying from China Fredrik Grönkvist wrote a very good guide for importers who are not familiar with their country's compliance requirements. This article includes: How to find what testing is applicable What determines the cost of testing What importers must do vs. what is of lower importance And he wrote three other in-depth articles and CE marking, REACH, … [Read more...]

Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently. The flow of things This article exposes China's paradox when it comes to logistics: infrastructures are often excellent, but shipping products within China is particularly expensive. For example, "sending goods from Shanghai to Beijing can cost more than sending them to America." Silk Road Revival Watch this nice infographic about a concept pushed by the Chinese central government, which has set aside 10 billion … [Read more...]

Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently. Walmart's 'Made in USA' push exposes strains of manufacturing rebirth In January 2013, Walmart promised to favor US-made products. But those companies trying to "reshore" production face many obstacles. Rebuilding manufacturing capabilities and a network of component suppliers will take many years. Certain parts still need to be imported from China (e.g. small motors, plastic injection molding equipment, computerized … [Read more...]

Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently. China's Young Men Act Out in Factories This BusinessWeek relates how different the new generation of Chinese workers is from the previous one. It also focuses on the effects of an increasingly male worker population. Plying Social Media, Chinese Workers Grow Bolder in Exerting Clout This New York Times article explains how the strikers at the Yue Yuen factory last month took advantage of WeChat for easier … [Read more...]

Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently. Thousands Strike at Nike, Adidas, Reebok Factory in Dongguan over Invalid Contracts A serious strike in a Taiwanese-owned factory, located in Dongguan city, is disrupting the supply chains of a few sports brands. This kind of strike was unthinkable 10 years ago, when migrant workers were looking hard for a job. But now they know they can find another employer easily, and they are more aware of their rights. This … [Read more...]

Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently. The End Of Cheap China. The Next China Will Be The Post-China 16. Maybe. Dan Harris compares two opposing analyses of where Chinese manufacturing is going: According to Statfor (a a geopolitical intelligence firm), low cost productions are moving to other low-labor-cost countries. According to Mr. Juliens from Booz & Company, China still has a large upside potential when it comes to manufacturing. Nike, other … [Read more...]

Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently. The dangers of miscommunication: 4 examples to learn from Global Sources asked several companies to give examples of mistakes they made/witnessed. Lessons to learn! 7 Mistakes on China Factory Visits That Make You Look Inexperienced Matt Slater, a lead auditor at SAI Global, list 7 common traps many buyer fall into. My favorite: assuming you are actually at the right factory. Color Confusion in China … [Read more...]