Elksourcing

Even though China has a reputation as a country that manufactures everything, it is often surprisingly hard to find a factory in China. Here, our experienced China sourcing agents discuss some common reasons why finding a reliable, suitable Chinese factory can be so challenging. 1. Language and Cultural Barriers It is one of the more obvious reasons, but it bears mentioning: There are huge language and cultural barriers that separate western businesses from Chinese manufacturers. While English proficiency is rapidly growing in China, there are still many small and mid-sized factories that have no employees who can speak fluent English. Beyond this, you also have to deal with other, more difficult to define, cultural barriers. 2. Many Chinese Factories Do Not Market Themselves Well In the grand scheme of things, China as a global manufacturer power is still a relatively new phenomenon. Many Chinese manufacturing companies are still in their early…

Do you want to get your products made in China? If so, there are many Chinese manufacturing firms that offer services that are well suited for your needs. However, finding the right manufacturer in China can be an extremely difficult process. Indeed, we have heard horror stories of Western business people who have had products made in China on their own, only to end up very disappointed with the subpar results. Before you commit to a Chinese manufacturer, you need to know what to look for to find the right partner for your business. (1) Industry Experience: When working with a Chinese manufacturer, it is best to work with a firm that has extensive experience working within your industry. Regardless of your products, from clothing to tools, it is imperative that you seek a firm with relevant industry experience. (2) Experience with Similar Products: Additionally, you should also work with a company…

So, you have an amazing idea for a product that you know will do well on the market, but are wondering what the next step is to bring this idea to life. This article will show you how to go from start to finish by explaining the steps to take to go from an idea, to producing in China. Step 1 – Creating Engineer Drawings and a Prototype You need to get this idea made into engineer designs and a prototype. It is crucial you get both done; it can be difficult to manufacture a product without an engineer drawing that has tolerances, material, and finish requirements. You need a prototype so you know your product is functional and looks good. You can do this in China, but it is not easy. Communicating with an engineer in China over different time zones can be difficult enough, but when there is a…

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…

For importers, it’s important to have its own inspector or 3-rd party inspector to do quality inspection prior to shipment, however, the process and exact work details are daunting for most new importers.  Most product inspections follow a process with several specific steps. When an inspection goes wrong, it’s most often because steps weren’t clear, or inspectors otherwise didn’t follow them according to the buyer’s instructions. 1. Pulling random samples for inspection Most importers know the importance of pulling random samples during QC inspection using a statistically-significant acceptance sampling method. Without pulling samples randomly, you risk getting a report that doesn’t fairly represent the quality of the entire shipment. Factory staff can actually hinder inspection accuracy if permitted to choose which units will be checked. Some may “cherry pick” samples or direct inspectors to check units they know will meet requirements from a specific area of the warehouse. 2. Checking the product against…

A quality checklist refers to a document that outlines quality requirements and specifications in a clear and concise manner for your supplier. An effective quality control checklist template should cover the following technical areas. 1. Packaging requirements This first major section should contain details about the shipper carton, any inner carton and any retail carton or packaging. Packaging requirements are important for your supplier to reference here, regardless of whether you will verify packaging during inspection. The packaging section should typically contain the following:  A.    Packaging weight and dimensions B.    Shipper carton labeling and marking requirements C.   Shipper carton material requirements (e.g. single or double layer, binding method, white or brown cardboard) D.   Packaging method and assortment E.    Retail packaging printings, graphics and labeling Product requirements shown on the quality control sheet should include: A.    Product weight and dimensions B.    Material and construction C.   Product color (consider including Pantone color codes where applicable) D.   Markings and labeling (e.g. UL…

Per my 20-year experience in global sourcing and quality management, I’ve learned that good suppliers share the same good qualities. 1. Accountability for quality issues Admitting to a mistake can be difficult. But when your goods are on the line, working with a quality supplier that takes responsibility for their half of a deal can make a world of difference. That’s why accountability for quality issues tops the list of characteristics of a good supplier. But a supplier without accountability is more likely to deflect responsibility. They might tell you the quality of the fabric was poor and difficult to work with. Or, if you used a third-party inspector to check the goods, the supplier might accuse the inspector of incompetence or unprofessionalism. A supplier that won’t own up to their mistakes can hinder your ability to meet deadlines and product requirements. Look for signs of accountability as a key characteristic of…

When a company purchases items from a vendor, a quality inspection is usually necessary. There are various quality inspections in supply chain such as inspections during the manufacturing process, inspection of the final finished product, and inspections while the items are stored in the warehouse. 1. Importance of Inspection of Purchased Items The quality inspection occurs so that a company can verify that the product is within certainly prescribed tolerances in order for the product to be useful. For example, a company may purchase a paint additive to be used in their manufacturing process, but before it can be used, it has to be inspected to see that the chemical and physical composition of the additive is within the tolerances to be used in the process. When a purchasing agreement is made with a vendor, it will define the characteristics of the product that are to be inspected and the tolerances that would be…