There are a number of EU sustainability requirements which are going to require importers to obtain a LOT more visibility over their supply chains. Not something to take lightly, as lacking transparency over who is in, what is made, and … [Read more...]
How did Apple build a winning supply chain in China?
Two recent FT articles look at how Apple set up a successful supply chain in China that helped them dominate rivals, how they handle their NPI process in a very hands-on way that provides great results, and how their close relationship with … [Read more...]
Why You Need To Know Who’s In Your Supply Chain [Podcast]
![Why You Need To Know Who's In Your Supply Chain [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/WhyYouNeedToKnowWhosInYourSupplyChainPodcast-1140x445.jpeg)
In this episode… Consider this: If you don't know who's making your key components or product itself, or even where they are, how can you be sure that your product will be of acceptable quality or compliant with market … [Read more...]
Best Practices for Leaving your Chinese Supplier for a New One [Podcast]
![Best Practices for Leaving your Chinese Supplier for a New One [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/BestPracticesforLeavingyourChineseSupplierforaNewOnePodcast-1140x445.jpeg)
In this episode… One listener asked us: What checklist of activities does an importer need to perform when ending business relationships with a Chinese contract manufacturer? So, in this episode, Renaud explains what the process of … [Read more...]
Strategies For Reducing Lead Times From Suppliers In China [Podcast]
In This Episode… We discuss reducing lead times from suppliers in China or other countries in Asia like Vietnam. Lead times are the time you can expect the process of getting your order from a supplier to take, from placing the purchase … [Read more...]
Importer’s ‘Supply Chain Spring Clean’ Checklist To Find Risks & Opportunities [Podcast]
![Importer's 'Supply Chain Spring Clean' Checklist To Find Risks & Opportunities [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ImportersSupplyChainSpringCleanChecklistToFindRisksOpportunitiesPodcast-1140x445.jpg)
Got some time on your hands during Chinese New Year while your suppliers are on holiday? In this bumper 43 minute Chinese New Year episode to keep you entertained during the holiday, Renaud & Adrian discuss tasks importers can … [Read more...]
The Impact Of Chinese New Year On Importers & Tips To Prepare For CNY 2021 [Podcast]
The Phenomenon of Chinese New Year Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, is an amazing time of year in China and several other Asian countries who also place a lot of importance on the lunar calendar (such as Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and … [Read more...]
3 Vertical Integration Benefits: Transparency, Control, Speed
Last year I wrote about a very common problem in China Supply Chain Transparency and Monitoring: Not Getting Easier… and this year we are still lamenting that same problem: Further down the supply chain, unauthorized subcontracting is … [Read more...]
The End Of Just In Time Manufacturing? [Podcast]
![The End Of Just In Time Manufacturing? [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TheEndOfJustInTimeManufacturingPodcast-1140x445.jpg)
A number of blog posts, such as this one, have been popping up lately casting doubts on whether just in time manufacturing can survive post-coronavirus. They share some pretty strong words: Recent trade tensions between the US and … [Read more...]
Supply Chain Risk Management, Part 3: A Purchaser Supply Chain KPI Scorecard’s Benefits
Most purchasers pay too much attention to the price of what they buy but fail to take risks into account. That's a very widespread issue. One solution to this might be developing a supply chain KPI scorecard, to force buyers to report on … [Read more...]