![Is there a Relationship between Factory Audits and Better Quality Products? [Real Data Analysis]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IsthereaRelationshipbetweenFactoryAuditsandBetterQualityProductsRealDataAnalysis-1140x445.jpeg)
Prof. Neale O’Connor, a China business and accounting expert and international keynote speaker, recently analyzed some of our own factory audit data and other third-party data about customer complaints and came up with some really interesting findings that will help you to source better suppliers in Asia, specifically ones who are going to provide you with better quality products and/or be less likely to scam you. If you're wondering if performing factory audits has a tangible … [Read more...]
Social Compliance Audits: Fear, Lies, and Corruption
Over the weekend, I came upon a webinar that gives a relatively nice overview of the issues surrounding social compliance audits, particularly in Asia. It was shot by a new company called Mosaic. If I had to summarize it, I'd use these three words: Fear of brands and retailers -- they try to collect evidence of serious due diligence, to "cover their ass" in case their products are found in a factory that burned, that hired kids, or that otherwise did something shocking. The objective is … [Read more...]
3 Elements Required To Manufacture Great Products [podcast]
![3 Elements Required To Manufacture Great Products [podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3ElementsRequiredToManufactureGreatProductspodcast-1140x445.jpeg)
In this episode… Your host Renaud Anjoran is joined once again by Andrew Amirnovin, Sofeast's head of New Product Development, to discuss the 3 elements a factory (yours or your supplier's) needs in order to provide good manufacturing performance. What is 'good manufacturing performance?' It's all of the things importers want from their suppliers! Product quality that reaches our standards Costs within what we're expecting Fast delivery times and no delays Safe, compliant … [Read more...]
7 Reasons Why Ignoring Factory Audits Will Hurt Your Business
If you start working with a new supplier that you haven't visited or audited on-site, do you feel safe about your decision? I have talked to many people in that situation, and they usually haven't fully realized what they might be missing. So, that's what I am going to cover in this article. (I am discussing only audits of a factory's quality system and processes, in the context of a company buying from a supplier located in China, Vietnam, India, and other low-cost countries.) Here are … [Read more...]
Tips For Buyers On A Budget Who Want To Start Manufacturing In China [Podcast]
![Tips For Buyers On A Budget Who Want To Start Manufacturing In China [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/TipsForBuyersOnABudgetWhoWantToStartManufacturingInChinaPodcast-1140x445.jpeg)
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...]
Using Factory Audits To Qualify Your Chinese Suppliers
When I talk to someone who is contemplating whether they should work with a particular supplier, I advise them to visit the factory and/or have it audited. And this can lead to confusion, as the next question is usually "what type of audit?" Let's look at your factory audit options... … [Read more...]
What Are the Factory Assessment Reports Shown on Alibaba Worth?
About 10 years ago, I remember Global Sources was listing "verified suppliers". Good idea. And their competitors followed suit, showing factory assessment reports and anything that can make buyers confident. And I am not sure that has been a positive development, overall. The basic principle to be aware of when buying factory analysis/verification There is a basic principle that all buyers should be aware of: When you are not paying for an analysis/verification, you can't fully … [Read more...]
Brands and Retailers: Please Stop Doing Social Compliance Audits in Asia
Finbarr Bermingham and Cissy Zhou wrote an interesting article in the South China Morning Post, entitled Bribes, fake factories and forged documents: the buccaneering consultants pervading China’s factory audits. An interesting Linkedin discussion ensued. There is so much evidence of wrongdoing, nobody can deny social compliance audit reports are highly unreliable. As I wrote nearly 10 years ago, Social compliance audits don’t work! Worse yet, they push the factory to work with … [Read more...]
How To Validate Your Supplier’s Factory’s Production Capacity (From Abroad) [Podcast]
![How To Validate Your Supplier’s Factory’s Production Capacity (From Abroad) [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/HowToValidateYourSuppliersFactorysProductionCapacityFromAbroad-500x445.jpg)
You can't visit suppliers in China due to coronavirus. How can you validate their production capacity without going on-site? As we head into 2021 travelling to see suppliers in Asia, in particular China, remains difficult for most buyers due to coronavirus restrictions. Even if you can travel, you face the risk of transit and a long mandatory quarantine period in a hotel before you're even able to conduct your business, so most buyers are staying at home for now. However, before placing an … [Read more...]
Exploring Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) [Podcast]
Time to pay attention to good manufacturing practices! Importers with suppliers over in Asia may benefit from adopting GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices). What are they? How are they useful for managing and improving the performance of suppliers in countries like China? How do they fit in with quality audits, social compliance audits, and process audits? The basics are always a good starting point for any supplier management and development plan and GMPs represent the basic activities … [Read more...]