Companies looking to buy direct from China often aim to reduce costs, improve margins, and gain better supplier control. In international trade, there is an ancient piece of wisdom often cited by the most successful supply chain directors:  “未雨绸缪” (Wèi yǔ chóu móu) — "Repair the roof before it rains." ...
There are many delays that can occur when sourcing from China, especially when companies buy direct from China, but most can be avoided or minimized with the right preparation. Below are a few tips that can reduce the risk of delay and mitigate its damage when it occurs: Place orders...
You often hear that “business is about people” and you know full well that having good people is the key to China supply chain management. The question is how do you find good people? How do you manage them? One tantalizing option that exists today but was not available only...
In Episode 6 of CPG’s podcast, The Supply Chain of Thought, CPG CEO Michael De Clercq and Business Director Laura Dow continue their walkthrough of An Advanced Guide to China Sourcing and Procurement, the upcoming e-book written by the CPG Sourcing team. In Episode 5, we introduced why we wrote...
Background Getting a foothold in a burgeoning market can be daunting. Every decision can make or break your venture, and managing this process while sourcing in China without the right China sourcing services only compounds the challenge. As Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concerns began to dominate the business marketplace,...
Is There a Difference Between “Made in China” and “Made in PRC”? If you source products from Chinese manufacturers, you may encounter labels that say “Made in PRC.” At first glance, this can appear different from the more familiar “Made in China.” For global importers, the real question is not...
For those new to China sourcing, some of the lingo can seem confusing. In this blog, we’ll summarize the top 10 terms most commonly used in supply chain management that all importers should know. Glossary of Sourcing Terms: 1. Blanket Order: This is a purchase order in which the...
Managing the China supply chain has become more challenging than ever given recent global events, even if you have your own employees working in China. Background One company, a chemical manufacturer, had two full-time sourcing employees in China. They were well paid, competent, well versed with the industry and its...