• Elksourcing:Important Things for Sourcing Products from China

    Elksourcing:Important Things for Sourcing Products from China

    Sourcing Products from China tends to be cheaper than local, and often local manufacturers may not even exist for your products. Here are some of the most important things you need to know if you’re trying to source products from China. 1) Define Your Specifications  There’s nothing more aggravating for the factory you’re working than either unspecified or constantly changing specifications. Changing a material partway through the manufacturing process can be costly, time-consuming, and in the worst case may even necessitate moving to a different factory. Before you even begin to search manufacturers, you need to have a clearly-defined idea of what you’re working towards. There are quite a few specifications you should have at least mostly nailed down before you open your web browser to go hunting. These include, but are not limited to: Logo/ Materials/ Colors/ Dimensions/ Order QTY Be specific and detailed. For example, if you were creating…

  • Elksourcing:Factors to Consider While Sourcing Products Globally

    Elksourcing:Factors to Consider While Sourcing Products Globally

    Organizations need to consider pros and cons before engaging themselves in global sourcing activities. Conducting sourcing activities in a different destination is undoubtedly a tough task for marketers. Organizations can gain from their sourcing operations, but it is not free from challenges. The following factors should be considered while sourcing products globally: 1) Landed Cost Most people focus on the lowest unit cost. However, the unit cost is just one piece of the total cost equation. Besides landed costs, marketers also need to focus on transportation, insurance, duties, brokerage services, etc. If you run an organization, you also need to consider costs relating to unforeseen circumstances. Instances may arise when customs officers decide to assess the freight. For this purpose, you also need to include the examination and local coordination charges. Another factor you can’t afford to neglect is the transparency in the supply chain. Delays in the supply chain would…

  • Elksourcing:How to Ensure Quality of Products Sourced from China?

    Elksourcing:How to Ensure Quality of Products Sourced from China?

    China has become the most popular sourcing destination now; many western companies are keen to import Chinese products given its low cost and high quality. However, it is a challenging task for business beginners given the demographic and cultural differences, especially because it is difficult to ensure quality of the imported products. 1. Understand the value of your products When you plan to source products from China, you need to have a full understanding of the products. With the product value in mind, you are allowed to figure out the quotes from suppliers which may help you settle on the market. You have to figure out the raw material, basic process, functions, and even the design. The most important thing you have to understand is about product quality. You have to know the price range of the product at a certain level of quality. Normally, you will find different prices on…

  • Elksourcing:Good Practices in Finding a China Manufacturer

    Elksourcing:Good Practices in Finding a China Manufacturer

    When most buyers plan on identifying a new supplier, they are usually tempted to focus on the best price. However, concentrating only on low costs can hurt you in the long term. That’s because shaving a few cents off the price of a product is no help if the quality is below standard and the component or material does not arrive when you need it. In this article, I’d like to share my experience of good practices in finding a manufacturer in China. 1. Decide what you want to produce – This is where a business plan comes into play? Here is a sample clothing line business plan template you can use. The first step is to decide on the type of items you want to manufacture. This would give you an idea of the type of manufacturers you should look out for. If you want to manufacture denims for instance, you…

  • Elksourcing:Procedure of a Quality Inspection

    Elksourcing:Procedure of a Quality Inspection

    For the importers who source from China, more and more realize that it is essential to arrange quality inspection for the products before they leave China. In most cases, the importers choose a third-party QC company to do pre-shipment quality inspection. In this article, I’d like to tell you the basic procedure of a quality inspection. 1) Communication of Requirements The purchaser describes his products: specifications, dimensions, function, appearance, labeling, packaging… More precise information is provided, the more you can utilize the inspection. If possible, an approved sample can be sent for the inspector’s reference. 2) An inspector goes to the factory After all products are finished and at least 80% packed, an inspector (or several inspectors if necessary, in most cases, one inspector is enough) goes to the factory. 3) Quantity verification The cartons are counted, to check if the whole quantity is presented. Then the inspector randomly selects a few…

  • Elksourcing:Four Quality Checks You Should Know

    Elksourcing:Four Quality Checks You Should Know

    In China sourcing practices, there are four key quality checks, each corresponds to a particular step in the production process. I recommend you keeping them in mind, when it comes to doing business with Chinese suppliers. 1. Initial Production Check An Initial Production Check is the inspector’s visiting when all materials and components come in the factory. Factories are often suspected of lowering their costs by purchasing substandard materials, and this can be disastrous for the buyer. The Initial production check can also focus on the processes followed as production starts. Sometimes this can also be critical, as Chinese factories very often cut corners and do not respect the buyer’s blueprints.  2. During Production Check A During Production Check allows the buyer to have an idea of average product quality, early in the production cycle. It is a useful and under-rated tool at the disposal of importers, who often only rely…

  • Elksourcing:How to Find Reliable Chinese Suppliers?

    Elksourcing:How to Find Reliable Chinese Suppliers?

    The process of designing and developing a product idea into a finished product may seem daunting, but it can be achieved by partnering up with reliable suppliers. The followings are some tips about how to find reliable Chinese suppliers. 1). Connect with Manufacturers through Online Platforms There are various established online platforms dedicated to bring together renowned and reliable Chinese manufacturers under one roof, for your convenience. The platforms allow you to filter your search and locate manufacturers and suppliers specializing in producing the product of your choice. You will get contact information of the manufacturers on such platforms, where you can directly talk and discuss your exact product requirements. It will be good to try and connect to more than one supplier, so that you can compare the quality of the products and the price offered. Also, prioritize your search on the basis of the quantity you require and…

  • Elksourcing:Important Notes for Global Procurement Process

    Elksourcing:Important Notes for Global Procurement Process

    Any business that wants to reap the benefits of low-cost global markets needs to make a move towards procurement services. But there is a problem to start with. The problem faced by thousands of business owners is a lack of insight. In this article, I’d like to bring some important notes for global procurement process.  1.   Suitable Procurement Location One of the most fundamental decisions of procurement is the location/marketplace/country. Taking this key decision becomes easy with intelligent insights from a procurement service provider. Procurement agency professionals use advanced analytical mechanisms to study potential target markets. The market offering the best conditions and benefits is selected. 2.   Manufacturing (or buy-in) Are you sure that investing in a low-cost market will actually help you make considerable gains? What if better management and some tweaks can make manufacturing more profitable? Once again, this is a decision that should be taken with the help of intelligence…

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