<p>We get questions all the time from clients wanting to know the perils and pitfalls of doing business with China. We have written often about how to set up a solid supply chain with Chinese factories and offered key tips on China sourcing. So we thought now would be a good time, as we move [&hellip;]</p>

<p>6 Tips for Manufacturing in China via Inc. The part of the article that really resonated with us: Tip #2: &#8220;Being There: Finding a contract manufacturer in China can be daunting. To set up the production of his needlepoint belt and accessories line, entrepreneur Taylor Llewellyn hopped on a plane to Beijing and knocked on doors [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Oscar Wilde is credited with saying “The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.&#8221;  For companies and individuals looking to manufacture products in China &#8211; and specifically those interested in China contract manufacturing &#8211; there is a lot of confusion when it comes to value. So often, people will confuse value [&hellip;]</p>

<p>&#8220;Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is&#8230;&#8221;   Max Ehrmann,  &#8220;Desiderata&#8221; There are numerous advantages to sourcing product from China that extend beyond the immediate benefits to gross margin. For many companies, the ability to focus on core activities [&hellip;]</p>

<p>&nbsp; 2013 Global Outlook The fallout of the 2008-2009 crisis still lingers and has left a lasting impact on the global economy that will continue into 2013.  Global growth will have dropped to around 3 percent in 2012, which is reduction of about half a percentage point off the long-term trend since the crisis emerged. [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Raising China Procurement Expectations Starts with A Good Partner We have always claimed that one of the biggest problems in China is that buyers allow their expectations over time to fall. People inherently like to feel good about their decisions, their work, and a decision to source from China is no different. Therefore, if happiness [&hellip;]</p>

<p>When sourcing from China, samples play a key role.   They help ensure more accurate communication across the supply chain and offer a convenient way for the buyer, seller, and agents to overcome omissions or confusions on spec, language barriers, and ultimately achieve better results for  all involved parties.  They have a fundamental and positive influence [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The rapid growth in China, coupled with above average growth in all emerging markets, has put tremendous pressure on the demand for natural resources.  With the China growth story expected to continue (albeit at a slower rate), the likelihood that demand for these resources will continue to pressure price is highly probable.  Controlling variable costs [&hellip;]</p>

<p>China has for decades been among the world’s leading manufacturers and exporters, due mainly to its low labor and land costs.   However, over the last few years, the rate at which China labor costs have been growing, and the ever-increasing cost of land, has left many people to wonder if the reign of China as [&hellip;]</p>

<p>We have often argued that quality derives from much more than good controls. Ultimately, controls are only one element in a dynamic process that will, if functioning properly, lead to high quality outputs with minimal production interventions. Just as well functioning societies have laws in place to govern socially acceptable behavior, in the quality world [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Sourcing from China can be a daunting affair.  There are all sorts of hurdles and roadblocks that need to be navigated, made even more difficult by the vast cultural and geographic limitations of language, time, and distance.  But even once a reliable source has been identified and validated, the terms of trade agreed, and logistics [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Review and Improve guaranteed unsecured personal loanhttp://www.aitaalustadaelu.ee/pdl/ Our final and concluding piece of advice in managing a sourcing initiative overseas is to find time, after everything is done and before you are ready to place a repeat order, to review the process and look for a few key things you can improve.  Continuous improvement is [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Shipping Your Products Your product is ready to ship, it has passed inspection and is ready to be picked up from the factory.  To manage the shipment to your home country you will need a capable freight forwarder – the last key piece to the puzzle.  There are many to choose from and they all [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Production Management and Inspections Once your order is placed, stay involved.  Understand the production process and what needs to happen in order to get your product from order to delivery.  In defining your Production and QC Strategy, you highlighted the key milestones that need to be reviewed during production.  Monitor how the factory is adhering [&hellip;]</p>

<p>[custom_frame_right shadow=&#8221;on&#8221;][/custom_frame_right] Place Order(s) / Contract You have your price, negotiated terms, and have defined a production management and quality control strategy and are now ready to place your order.  It is critical that all of the key specifications and terms negotiated are clearly documents in your purchase order.  You should have everything issued in [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Your pricing and terms negotiated, an important question you need to consider is : “How am I going to ensure that my products are produced according to the lead times offered by the factory and how will I ensure that what they deliver is going to be as per my order?” loans monthly payments The [&hellip;]</p>

<p>At this point your initial shortlist has been narrowed to your finalists, you have hopefully met most of your prospects and you have possibly eliminated a few.  The list is now significantly smaller than it was when you started.  You should have a good feel for the capabilities of each of the factories you have [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Meet Your Finalists Business in many cultures (China especially) is not transactional as it is in many Western cultures.  It is relationship based.  Once you have selected your finalists you need to meet them face-to-face.  If you are going to use an agent, a face-to-face meeting is also recommended (and this is another reason why [&hellip;]</p>

<p>[custom_frame_right shadow=&#8221;on&#8221;][/custom_frame_right] You have shortlisted your suppliers, sent out your RFQs and are now beginning to receive quotes from the various entities that you contacted.  The first thing you should be doing as you begin to receive the bids is to check them against your RFQ to make sure all specifications, priorities, etc. have been [&hellip;]</p>

<p>You are now ready to distribute your RFQ but don’t know where to send it. You have researched the attractiveness of certain locations of production (or at least have discarded some alternatives), but you are not sure, within the markets you have identified, who to contact. Opportunity Whatever Your Fast Factory Direct or Trading Company [&hellip;]</p>