Manufacturing and Quality Control blog

Importing from abroad can be stressful. But choosing a product inspector doesn't have to be. Here are five of the most important questions you should consider asking when selecting a product inspector.

Topics: Product Inspection

Knowing these six common garment defects will help you be aware of issues that have plagued the garment industry for decades. While quality issues like untrimmed threads may seem commonplace and acceptable for lower-end retailers, open seams and dimension issues could result in unsellable product, product returns and damage to your brand.

Topics: Product Inspection

Carrying out product inspection before shipping can tell you a lot about the status of your order and the quality of your products. But it’s important to understand what a product inspection report will not tell you. You should use the report to make more informed decisions regarding your product and shipment, as opposed to expecting the report to solve all of your problems on its own. If you have questions about what to expect from a product inspection report, don’t be afraid to ask your inspector directly.

Topics: Product Inspection

A lot of buyers express frustration in getting accurate information from their supplier. Supplier miscommunication can lead to shipping delays, quality problems and a host of other issues. Communication by phone, email or even through a face-to-face meeting at the factory can leave a lot of room for interpretation. Maybe your supplier is unwittingly sending you the wrong message.

Topics: Manufacturing Tips & Advice

Quality control inspectors do everything from weigh and measure products to check production samples and conduct on-site testing. They act as your eyes and ears, and their mission is a reflection of your expectations. There are certain characteristics to inspecting products that are inherent to effective QC inspectors.

Topics: Product Inspection

No one likes product defects, including your supplier. How can you, as an importer, make sure you're addressing product quality issues directly?

Topics: Manufacturing Tips & Advice

Beijing faced an air quality index of 250, that’s 10 times higher than what the WHO considers “healthy” levels. How has China's pollution come to this?

Topics: Manufacturing Tips & Advice

How can you afford to spend a little extra on inspections to ensure the quality of the finished goods? With these five ways to cut inspection costs.

Topics: Product Inspection

The soapy water tank leak test stands alone in its simplicity, low cost, and effectiveness. Make sure leak testing is performed on any imported tanks.

Topics: Special Inspection Tests

Chinese factory workers still face the same issues that have affected many others of nations strengthened by growth in manufacturing. Some continue to live with poor working conditions, safety concerns and a lack of collective bargaining rights. But factories are adapting and improving following increased pressure from brands and retailers to adhere to social compliance standards. Wages are rising. People are leaving a life of poverty and joining the ranks of a growing middle class. And China continues to see consistent economic growth built on manufacturing might.

Topics: Sourcing