QualityInspection author and Sofeast Group CEO, Renaud Anjoran, and Adrian from the Sofeast team look back at 2022's key news stories and topics that have affected importers with supply chains in China and other Asian countries. What's changed and will we see the same in 2023? Covid has continued to be problematic in China for numerous reasons, even now that the Zero Covid policy has been dropped, the Russian invasion has the world nervously looking at China's actions towards Taiwan, the USA … [Read more...]
Sourcing Manufacturers: What Type To Choose For Your Production In China/Vietnam?
I realized that most buyers are unfamiliar with their options when it comes to sourcing manufacturers. I want to clarify what their options are. (This is especially applicable if you import electrical and/or mechanical products from China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Taiwan). … [Read more...]
Don’t Send Immature Product Designs To A Chinese Manufacturer!
As part of our design support service, we have been talking to many inventors who are planning to have manufacturing made in China. What many don't understand is, there are several steps that just can't be skipped, especially in product design and development phases... … [Read more...]
Manufacturing Electronics in Taiwan: A China Alternative?
As the US-China trade war intensifies, many American importers are looking for alternatives. They often look at Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Mexico, etc. But what about Taiwan? There is sometimes an opportunity to start sourcing products from there, especially in electronics. … [Read more...]
The Danger of Developing your Custom Product with an ODM Factory
We often talk to people who have a great idea to improve on an existing product. They have thought of special features that differentiate it from the competition, but they see a large amount in front of them, to develop their own new product. They are often tempted to go for a shortcut: working with a manufacturer that has been making very similar products (an Original Design Manufacturer, or ODM), and that's when things get pretty risky for the buyer. … [Read more...]
OEM, ODM, Contract Manufacturers: Choose your China Supplier Wisely
By Fabien Gaussorgues Do you prefer to work with an OEM or an ODM? What are their pros and cons? And what is a CM? This is particularly important if, as the importer, you want to develop a product that is different from what is already on the market. The advice in this article is especially suitable for mechanical and/or electrical products. First of all, what do those manufacturer acronyms mean? Here are simple definitions: Original Design Manufacturer: the supplier provides the … [Read more...]