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Product Quality and Reliability Issues: Typical Classification

April 12, 2022

Product Quality and Reliability Issues: Typical Classification

What are typical product quality and reliability issues, when do they occur in the product's lifecycle, and who might be responsible for them? … [Read more...]

Filed Under: New Product Development Tagged With: new product launch, product quality, product reliability, quality failures, reliability failures

Is It Beneficial To Be First To Market With Your New Product Idea? [Podcast]

September 24, 2021

Is It Beneficial To Get To Market First With Your New Product Idea? [Podcast]

In this episode... A recent China Law Blog article questions the wisdom of rushing out your innovative new made-in-China product in order to 'beat the copycats' to market. While there are some situations where this may have some merit, sacrificing IP protection for speed seldom makes sense as you'll find out in this episode. What are the benefits and are they outweighed by the risks? What should you do to protect IP? When is the 'right time' to go public with your exciting new product and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: New Product Development Tagged With: china copycats, developing new products, first to market, IP leakages, IP protection, IP theft, new product launch, podcast, product development tips

New Product Launch: Taking Shortcuts vs. Preventing Risks

September 22, 2021

New Product Launch: Taking Shortcuts vs. Preventing Risks

You are developing a new product. There is currently nothing like your product on the market. You have high confidence that it will be successful (otherwise, why are you working on this project?). You need to make a choice. Do you want to do things fast? That's tempting, because who knows what the market will look like in 12 months. Or do you want to do things right? That means investing money and time in de-risking your project. Let's look at what these 2 approaches mean, in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: New Product Development Tagged With: china copycats, IP theft, minimizing risks, new product development, new product launch, production risk

Why New Product Development of Electronics Takes So Long

August 24, 2021

Why New Product Development of Electronics Takes So Long

Over the years, we have been talking to people who are planning to or are in the process of, developing a new product. And there is a very serious mismatch between expectations and reality during the new product development process. So serious that people who are just starting on that path often cannot accept a realistic plan. Unrealistic expectations In their minds, there are only a few steps and a few success milestones. It looks a bit like this:   Harsh reality However, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: New Product Development Tagged With: new product design, new product development, new product development process, new product introduction, new product launch, new product manufacturing, NPI

So, You Are an Inventor Looking for a Manufacturer? Think Again.

August 3, 2021

So, You Are an Inventor Looking for a Manufacturer? Think Again.

We are regularly contacted by self-described inventors who believe very hard in their product idea but do NOT want to manage that product’s development, production, and sale.  They are often smart people, brilliant even. But they tend not to be business savvy, and that leads many of them to make costly mistakes. This is especially true for electronic products and relatively complex mechanical products.   The million-dollar invention fallacy The truth is, the proportion of new … [Read more...]

Filed Under: New Product Development Tagged With: inventors, new product design, new product introduction process, new product launch, new product manufacturing

Why Pilot Runs Are So Important [Podcast]

April 2, 2021

Why Pilot Runs Are So Important [Podcast]

Pilot runs aren't just a 'good idea,' they're a must when manufacturing new products as you are about to find out... Renaud and Adrian from the team explore an important part of the new product launch process: pilot runs. In this episode, they'll be exploring the following questions: What is a pilot run, why is it so important when bringing new products to market, and what are the benefits we can expect when performing them before going into full production? After listening you will see … [Read more...]

Filed Under: New Product Development Tagged With: new product launch, new product manufacturing, pilot, pilot runs

Dangers of Amortizing Development Costs in the Production Price

October 9, 2020

Dangers of Amortizing Development Costs in the Production Price

When I offered a model for guiding buyers to choose an ODM vs. OEM vs. CM supplier, I mentioned that OEM suppliers often "subsidize" the cost of developing the new product. Then, the buyer ends up paying the cost of development, but it is "amortized" in the unit cost of the product. I'd like to explain why, in the context of when manufacturing a new product, that can be dangerous for the buyer. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: New Product Development Tagged With: new product development, new product development costs, new product development process, new product launch, NPI

From New Product Design to Production: What Is on the Customer’s Plate?

September 9, 2020

From New Product Design to Production: What Is on the Customer's Plate?

Many people contact us with an idea for a new product they want to develop... and nothing else. We usually explain that they are not ready for talking to China-based manufacturers until they have done more 'homework'. Over the weekend, I listened to an episode of the Predictable Design Podcast (The Importance of Defining Project Milestones), which covered the main steps every new company that wants to manufacture a new physical product has to go through. It is a great listen. It inspired … [Read more...]

Filed Under: New Product Development Tagged With: developing new products, new product development, new product development process, new product launch, new product manufacturing, npd

New Product Concept Brief: 5 Things Your Industrial Designer Needs To Know

June 9, 2020

New Product Concept: 5 Things an Industrial Designer Needs To Know

If you have a new product concept that you want to manufacture in China in mind, don't go straight to talk to a manufacturer (your concept is still too immature). Instead, you need to start working on 2 axes at the same time: Market demand confirmation - will a sufficient number of people want to buy your product? Industrial design - what will it look like? (I am assuming you are designing an electro-mechanical product.) To illustrate your product concept effectively, you'll be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: New Product Development Tagged With: developing new products, new product development, new product development process, new product launch, new product manufacturing, product concept, product design brief

6 Tips To Nail Your Hardware Product’s Concept BEFORE Engaging A Design House

May 18, 2020

6 Tips for BEFORE Engaging a Design House for your New Hardware Product

Many people have an idea for a new hardware product and call us, and in many cases, it is too early, and going to a design house now may also be too early! They need to work with an industrial designer. (I am thinking of electro-mechanical products here.) The logical steps are in this sequence: a. Concept > b. Aesthetic Design > c. CAD Design > d. Proof-of-concept Prototype > e. Work-alike & Look-alike Prototype So, getting the concept right is important. Here are 6 ways to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: New Product Development Tagged With: design houses, new product development, new product launch, new product manufacturing, product concept, product specifications

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Weekly updates for professional importers on better understanding, controlling, and improving manufacturing & supply chain in China.

This is the official blog of Sofeast.com.

This blog is written by Renaud Anjoran, an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer who has been involved in chinese manufacturing since 2005.

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