• Elksourcing:Common Practices to Make a Prototype

    Elksourcing:Common Practices to Make a Prototype

    So, you have a recurring dream about an innovative new product, or a persistent feeling there is a large need for the product you want to invent and get to market, you want to make it to real.  What are the common practices to turn a new product idea to a marketable product? You’ve got to get it made as a prototype for starters. And what are the necessary steps that must be taken to get you started in the prototyping process? Step 1: Draw your Design The first step in creating your initial product prototype is to create a sketch of your design both as a complete unit and separately, with the individual components. It is likely that you will end up with an entire sketch book of designs as your creative energies flow out onto paper. Being as detailed as possible will make the next steps in the process easier…

  • Elksourcing:Quality Audits Help to Reduce Supplier Chain Risks

    Elksourcing:Quality Audits Help to Reduce Supplier Chain Risks

    As a buyer, you’re likely under pressure to find the best price for goods without sacrificing quality. And understanding a supplier’s capabilities before working with them is key to this objective. Many experienced buyers choose to rely on a dependable third-party QC partner as their “feet on the street” for supplier evaluations. These partners can perform a quality audit on your behalf and provide detailed results, including production capabilities and potential quality issues. Here are a few risks an audit can help you avoid before you place an order with a supplier:  Production and shipping delays due to disorganization All buyers worry about delivery dates. A bargain price or high product quality may be little consolation to customers that don’t receive their good on time. Shipment delays threaten your reputation as a reliable supplier. A late delivery can cause a customer to end their business relationship with you or consider alternative vendors….

  • Elksourcing:Step-by-step Approach to Supplier Chain Management

    Elksourcing:Step-by-step Approach to Supplier Chain Management

    Supplier chain is an integral factor in the success of your importing business. They can work like a well-oiled machine, where confidence levels are high, and the quality and delivery of products and services from your suppliers exceeds your expectations. Or they can become a burden to bear, swallow up precious resources and cost your business thousands of dollars in administration and performance management. Like most importers, you probably find yourself in a situation somewhere between these two extremes. But there’s hope when it comes to finding and developing great supplier relationships. Stick to this step-by-step approach, you’ll be reaping the rewards of supplier chain management. 1). Supplier selection Choosing suppliers is crucial to your business. And categorizing your supply base is also vital to making the most of your available resources when managing those suppliers. Importers often consider various criteria for evaluating potential suppliers when beginning their search, such as:  A.   Minimum…

  • Elksourcing:China Remains a Major Sourcing Destination

    Elksourcing:China Remains a Major Sourcing Destination

    There have been countless articles about China’s reign as factory of the world coming to an end. While it is true that wage increases are making some of China’s lower-end industries, such as textiles, out to low-cost countries such as Viet Nam and Bangladesh, China remains one of the top procurement sources for mid- to high-tier products. Even as some of the lower-end industries move out, there is more to a country’s competitive supply chain than labor costs. China maintains a set of key factors that will continue to make it a competitive exporter even as the economic landscape shifts.  1. High-quality Infrastructure (Especially Export-related Infrastructure): China’s rail and road infrastructure, particularly along the coastal cities, are among the most developed globally. With a history of double-digit investment rate every year in infrastructure, China’s ports complement the rail/road infrastructure. Shanghai long surpassed Singapore as the world’s busiest port and it will be…

  • Elksourcing:Common Defects Need to Notice for Cast Iron Cookware

    Elksourcing:Common Defects Need to Notice for Cast Iron Cookware

    As a cast iron cookware importer, it’s your responsibility to protect your customers from hazards and other types of quality defects. And due to the unique properties of the iron alloy, production processes can lead to many different kinds of casting defects. Let’s explore some of the most common defects in cast iron cookware to help you avoid a potential recall and improve your product quality.  1. Pinhole Pinholes are a common casting defect found in all cast iron products, including cookware. These holes are almost always visible to the human eye but don’t appear on the product until after mechanical processing. 2. Sharp flash Sharp flash is generally considered a major or critical defect in cast iron cookware. Flash is commonly seen on post-production, pre-packaged cast iron cookware. This casting defect occurs due to a molding plate issue. Flash can be caused by: an insufficient clamp force, poorly fitted…

  • Elksourcing:Recommendations to Optimize Your Supply Chain

    Elksourcing:Recommendations to Optimize Your Supply Chain

    There are some good ways to optimize your suppliy chain, expecially if you are a small or medium buyer, or you are new to importing business. 1. Develop A Supply Chain Strategy In most businesses, they consider supply chain management an independent function in the company, and that it is not involved in general business strategizing. This is ludicrous. The supply chain is one of, if not the key, factor in global business success. Companies that treat their supply chain like an extension and not a primary function of the company tend to struggle more with success. Implement the supply chain into the business strategies and goals to better leverage it to achieve determined metrics. 2. Design the Supply Chain Network As much as including the supply chain into the business strategies determines success, the need to design the supply chain network to operate at an optimal level is paramount. Focus hard on the…

  • Elksourcing:Five Mistakes to Avoid in Global Sourcing

    Elksourcing:Five Mistakes to Avoid in Global Sourcing

    During my sourcing work life, I’ve seen so many importer make mistakes when they do global sourcing, briefly as shown in the following: Mistake 1 – No Defined Strategy No matter where you’re sourcing from, you need a well-defined strategy. Without one, it can cause chaos for your business. For example, if you expand into an overseas market without a strategy, the cost of the product could be too high or the wrong product altogether, which leads to little to no sales. This leads quickly to a sinking business before it even leaves the harbor. When sourcing globally, consider the following tactics to create a well-rounded strategy: (1) Identify suppliers (2) Vet and validate suppliers (3) Insure payment capabilities (4) Review quality control processes and metrics (5) Determine sourcing method Mistake 2 – No Defined Standards  What’re your business standards when it comes to products or materials? Know the answer to…

  • Elksourcing:Full-Time or Third-Party QC Inspectors?

    Elksourcing:Full-Time or Third-Party QC Inspectors?

    Full-time inspection staff can be invaluable when you have a steady flow of QC needs year-round. With your own team, you can directly manage inspectors and book inspections based on your specific priorities. But does hiring full-time inspectors mean you’ll never need third-party QC services? Not necessarily. Depending on the number, training and location of your inspectors, your inspection team might not be able to meet all your inspection needs, all the time. Most importers with a local office hire only a few full-time employees, who sometimes also manage other tasks like sourcing and attending trade shows. Though it may seem excessive, many importers use a third-party QC firm to supplement their full-time team on the ground. Before you rely entirely on your full-time team, let’s look at how third-party inspectors may be able to help you out of an otherwise tight situation. 1. Increase production oversight when working with new…

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