QualityInspection.org

Quality Assurance, Product Development, and Purchasing Strategies in China

CM + PCBA Factory vs. EMS Supplier in Shenzhen, China

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Companies that are developing a new electronic product for manufacturing in China tend to think of the way they should structure their supply chain. And they have an important decision to make. Do they choose a Contract Manufacturer buying from a PCBA factory or an EMS supplier in Shenzhen? … [Read more...]

Sourcing from Taobao for mass production? Stop it! [Podcast]

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In this episode… Renaud and Adrian from the team talk Taobao! Taobao is a huge Chinese online marketplace where it's possible to get almost anything at a decent price. The problem is, some importers have been purchasing components from there for use in their mass-produced products! You might be thinking: If prices are good and they have the items, what's the problem with sourcing from Taobao? Listen, and you'll find out..!   Just hit the play button to start … [Read more...]

Is It Possible To Get Credit from a Chinese Supplier?

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We sometimes get this question from clients who don't have a long experience of working with Chinese suppliers: We have been customers for a long time but they still refuse to give us credit. Is that typical/normal? And the short answer is, yes, it's typical unless you are a large and well-known company. Unfortunately, it isn't common for Chinese suppliers to give credit. Many long-time customers still pay 100% of their orders before they are shipped. And that's part of the "hidden … [Read more...]

How War In Ukraine Could Negatively Affect Global & Chinese Supply Chains [Podcast]

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In this episode… We discuss how wars like the one waged on Ukraine by Russia right now could affect global supply chains. In particular, could China be affected, and if so, how? Is the West likely to decouple from China in the future in a similar way as they have done with Russia? Finally, Renaud leaves you with some guidance on ways to diversify your suppliers and therefore reduce the chances of supply chain disruptions and risks.   Just hit the play button to start … [Read more...]

Sourcing from China (Part 2): Negotiating terms, leverage over suppliers, and describing your needs. [Podcast]

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In this episode... In episode 65 we discussed the different supplier options open to buyers who’re sourcing from China. One of the options is to do the sourcing yourself. Many importers want to pursue this, so we're creating a mini-series of episodes that explores how to handle the sourcing process from China yourself with tips and best practices from Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran. In part 1 of the series (episode 69), we looked at the early stage of sourcing where you find your potential … [Read more...]

Sourcing From China Part 1: Sourcing Suppliers, Vetting Them, & Developing A Backup [Podcast]

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In this episode… Renaud talks about sourcing with Adrian in this episode. Specifically, how to handle sourcing from China yourself. He shares tips on deciding the best fit for your business, where to search for potential suppliers, how to vet them once you have found a list, and how and why to develop a backup supplier. This is part 1 of the sourcing journey, and stay tuned as there are more to come..!   Just hit the play button to start listening..! Listen to the episode right here … [Read more...]

A Few Tips To Avoid Quality Fade in China

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When Paul Midler wrote ‘Quality Fade’: China’s Great Business Challenge in 2007, I remember it struck a nerve and that article was widely quoted. And, nearly 14 years later, the term 'quality fade' is rather well known among importers. As Midler described it: One of the problems facing China is that manufacturers continue to engage in a practice I call “quality fade.” This is the deliberate and secret habit of widening profit margins through a reduction in the quality of materials. Importers … [Read more...]

Which China Sourcing Option Is Best For You? [Podcast]

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In this episode… Renaud and Adrian discuss your 4 China sourcing options: commissioned agents, trading companies, third-party service providers (like Sofeast) who provide sourcing as a paid service, and doing it yourself by going direct to manufacturers, including their pros and cons. Renaud also provides some insight into what exactly it takes to source directly from Chinese manufacturers yourself and shares some best practices for you to consider.   Just hit the play button to start … [Read more...]

Tips For Buyers On A Budget Who Want To Start Manufacturing In China [Podcast]

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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...]

Manufacturing Distributed In China’s Countryside: Pros & Cons

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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...]