Manufacturing and QC blog

This week on Best in Manufacturing, learn about a free new calculator for estimating sourcing costs, hardware startups' biggest competitors in Shenzhen & more!

Topics: Best in Manufacturing, Sourcing, Working with Factories

This week on Best in Manufacturing, get advice on selecting a manufacturing partner, learn about business opportunities in the Philippines, a joint Hong Kong and Shenzhen tech park, printable electronics & the difficulties of manufacturing bikes in the U.S.!

Topics: Best in Manufacturing, Sourcing, Working with Factories

If you were about to invest a million dollars in a company, you probably wouldn’t do it without a little research beforehand. Similarly, if you’re going to invest in sourcing products from China, you’d be wise to practice due diligence.

Topics: Sourcing

Accepting the first quote you receive is never a good idea. When looking for the best price from suppliers, it's important to perform due diligence and get a comprehensive understanding of pricing so that you can make the most informed decision about buying from one supplier or another.

Topics: Sourcing, supplier audit

Trading companies can vary considerably. Knowing these 3 qualities to look for in a good vendor or trading company will help you spot the difference.

Topics: Sourcing

When faced with the decision to manufacture in Asia, you might want to consider more than just wages. In doing so, you'll see that China has advantages to your manufacturing not just now, but in the future as well and it will continue to develop them to remain highly competitive.

Topics: Sourcing

Depending on the circumstances, a supplier might refuse your business. Find out why that can happen and how you can avoid this problem in the first place.

Topics: Sourcing, supplier audit

It’s easy to trust your suppliers to do the right thing. But in doing so, you might end up running into common China sourcing mistakes that harm your firm.

Topics: Sourcing

If you’re looking for advice on negotiating with Chinese factories, you’re not alone. Negotiating with suppliers is an important part of manufacturing in China. Early negotiations and meetings set the tone for how the rest of the buyer-and-seller relationship will play out. If you want that relationship to begin on solid footing, it’s important to be prepared ahead of time. Effectively negotiating with Chinese factories can help you not only to reach a lower price, but to receive higher product quality and avoid unnecessary shipping delays as well.

Topics: Sourcing, negotiating with chinese factories

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