Archive of Category: Sourcing Tips

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Sourcing from China: How to Perform a SWOT Analysis

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If you’re sourcing from China, you understand the importance of management and you are probably already evaluating your systems and processes on a regular basis to ensure that they are running optimally and according to your plans and your vision. (If you’re not, you really should.) SWOT stands for “Strengths,...

China Sourcing Alternatives: Is it time to move?

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Given the current climate surrounding China, various factors have caused importers to ask if sourcing from China is still the right choice for their supply chain. Uncertainty due to tariffs/Trade war, rising labor costs and COVID-19 have sparked a lot of concerns. Is it time to search for China sourcing...

China Sourcing: Hiring Teams vs. Individuals

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One common dilemma importers often face is the decision of whether to hire a China sourcing agent or a China sourcing agency. You hire people to get results.  But hiring is a big investment of time and resources.  To get a good return on that investment, you need to find...

Case Study:  A Global Packaging Supplier Fortifies Supplier Relationships with Robust Quality Control 

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Background:  When sourcing products overseas, building long-term partnerships with quality suppliers can provide a strong foundation for a sustainable, thriving supply chain.  Managing these relationships from afar often requires a significant investment of time and resources. After establishing a foundation of trust over time through long-term collaboration and a consistent...

The Return to China Pt 2: 8 Tips for a Great Sourcing Trip 

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In our last travel blog, The Return to China Pt 1, we covered how to carefully plan and prepare a trip to China for a factory visit or a trade fair. And, due to the complexities and challenges of such a grueling international trip, many companies are choosing not to...

Reflections on 40 Years of China Sourcing

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1978-2018 As our 40th anniversary year comes to an end, I look back at our business, how it came about, why we did it, and what it means today. People often ask me how CPG got started, and more specifically, why I learned Chinese way back when China was not...

“Made In China” Pt 4: Improving the Standards and Quality

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Previously, we wrote about how sourcing from China got its reputation for poor quality. This week’s blog discusses how a series of consumer product recalls actually led to improving the standards of supply chain management in China. As our last blog in this series indicated, the notion that goods made...

The Return to China Pt 1: 4 Tips Business Travelers Must Know When Traveling to China

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If your business relies on China sourcing, there’s a good chance you’ve waited more than three years for an in-person visit and this has affected your supply chain management in China. Now, the time has come. China has eased its travel restrictions and has ended its zero-Covid policy – but...

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