When an importer begins their quest of sourcing from China, they typically know what they want, but they are not always as clear about what they need. What is the difference between “want” and “need”? Well, it mostly has to do with details; all the things you need to address...
In this blog, we will discuss how having a professional China sourcing agency can add value to your RFQ process, and how they will manage the process successfully when you buy direct from China. We previously wrote in-depth about the RFQ (Request for Quotation) process and how to secure the...
For years, importers hesitated to shift their supply chains to China due to the stigma of "poor quality." Despite significant quality improvements over the last 30 years, many still associate the "Made in China" label with low standards. However, high-quality products, like cutting-edge electronics, often come from China. Proper...
Once upon a time, in a world where every product seemed to bear the tag “Made in China,” there existed a treasure trove of China-sourcing horror stories. These stories will make you cringe, shrink, and pity the companies involved. From recalls that threatened global giants to rogue toy dolls in...
We’ve all heard the saying, “The greater the risk; the greater the reward.” Although the risk/reward concept makes sense in most cases, let us not exaggerate. Sourcing and procurement is a risky and complex process in and of itself. If you want to reap rewards from buying directly from China,...
Importing from China never comes easy, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. Despite difficulties, there are a number of ways importers can make their sourcing supply chain run more smoothly. At the same time, there are a number of ways to make China sourcing seem impossible. One good way...
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,...
In August 2010, the Wall Street Journal reported on a “$30 million Glass Pavilion [built as] a symbol of America’s ‘Glass City’” in 2006 in Toledo, Ohio. However, this monument, meant to celebrate the city’s great manufacturing past of quality glass, actually was built using glass sourced from China. The...