![China Power Cuts In Late 2021. Will Your Supply Chain Be Affected? [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ChinaPowerCutsInLate2021.WillYourSupplyChainBeAffectedPodcast-1140x445.jpg)
In this episode... Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran dives into what's causing the power cuts around China that are affecting many manufacturers around the country in late 2021. Some manufacturers are having to close for days at a time or work night shifts, but normal people have also been affected, too. Many importers will be wondering: "Is my supplier affected?" and "Will my order be delayed?" Given that this is affecting most o the major manufacturing provinces the likelihood is that it … [Read more...]
Harsh Realities of Managing a Quality Control Team in China
A few years ago, I suggested 6 tips to avoid bribery in a QC team. And two of them are particularly important when managing a quality control team in China: Rotate inspectors among factories, as professional relationships very quickly become personal, too. And there is a strong, very strong expectation of reciprocity -- "I gave you a nice lunch, you should overlook this tiny imperfection". Have a manager, or a regional supervisor, who does a good job of being a leader -- technically … [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 We Set Up A New Factory In China From Idea To Operation [Podcast]
![How We Set Up A New Factory In China From Idea To Operation [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HowWeSetUpANewFactoryInChinaFromIdeaToOperationPodcast-900x445.jpg)
Planning on opening a factory in China in 2021? To get some insight into just what it takes to set up a new factory in China let's explore how WE came to open our own factory, Agilian Technology, there in 2018! Renaud will explain the reasoning behind doing so, the goals, and the 6 phases we followed in order to make the idea of having a contract manufacturing subsidiary a reality. This will give you food for thought and help you start planning the project as it's possible you won't have … [Read more...]
Chinese Suppliers Harder To Work With than Last Year, 2020 Survey Respondents Say
2020 has been a tough year for so many reasons: The COVID-19 pandemic, the continuing US/China trade war, the drive to exit China for some manufacturers, a global recession beginning, and more. But what effect has this had on the relationship between foreign importers and their Chinese suppliers? To find out, we sent a survey to both our Sofeast and QualityInspection.org readers to assess the state of manufacturing in China in 2020. The results were eye-opening... … [Read more...]
How to Protect against Copies when you Manufacture in China
For certain types of products (electrical, plastic injection etc.) Chinese manufacturers are often the best source. Production can be performed with relatively high quality and a relatively low cost. However, one of China's major weaknesses is its lack of respect of intellectual property rights. It means many importers have to face a challenge: the emergence of copies of their proprietary products. I made a list of strategies and tactics that should help you reduce this risk. 1. What to … [Read more...]