Analyzing the types of suppliers has strategic importance. It will help you to understand where you are, what kind of results to expect, and what are the things you need to take care of in the mutual cooperation. You may want to have an experienced person help you to analyze the information. In your strategy, you will also need to include the consideration of the future contracting and operation. You may seek advice from Chinese professionals who understand the Chinese mentality, culture and business practices. You may get the incorrect interpretation if you visit the supplier's English website, or you could omit data that contains key information.
An independent third party can be an excellent idea for a quick cost effective review of potential suppliers before you choose one to visit. There are many companies in China run by westerners who do this and can provide a good bridge between you and your supplier at the start.
A visit to your supplier production site in China is the only reliable way to truly know its capabilities, to check that the data you have collected on the company is 100% correct, and that ISO & Quality principles are applied: Check the factory organization, its process flows, the quality of goods produced, the packaging, the workers' training level, the overall working conditions, equipment maintenance, etc. This will give you an indication of how the company is managed. A face-to-face meeting with the supplier's management team will also give you an idea of their experience and willingness to embark on your project. You will also be able to create a friendly relationship, which is crucial for your project!
Monday
Chinese factory audit and inspection services
If nothing else we advise you use a quality control inspection service. It is one thing receiving a perfect sample, it is another thing receiving a container full of substandard or faulty products. For a minimal cost a QC could be the best investment you make when importing.
Product inspection can be one of the most important jobs when placing orders with Chinese manufacturers. At the Import Department, we can perform a quality goods inspection where we will check and test your goods against your specific requirements and standards. This will be carried out by one of our professional quality inspectors in China.
Product inspection can be one of the most important jobs when placing orders with Chinese manufacturers. At the Import Department, we can perform a quality goods inspection where we will check and test your goods against your specific requirements and standards. This will be carried out by one of our professional quality inspectors in China.
Sunday
Total Cost of buying from China
When buying from China you always have to consider the Total Cost, which includes:
-FOB price
-the cost of returns (material/immaterial)
-the cost of delayed delivery (material/immaterial)
-the cost of management (flights/hotels, jetlag, agony)
Paying for good quality inspection is an insurance premium that no experienced China buyer goes without.
China Quality Assurance Services
Inspection Criteria definition
Quality is often defined as “conformance to specification” so in order for us to measure it we first have to sit down with our client and agree on what key measurements define a quality product. In addition to that we realize that not all quality concerns can be reduced to a number, especially for aesthetic quality of products, and that’s where our Western staff with background in Industrial Design comes in very useful.
Supplier selection
Our management team has been working in Greater China for a many years, and collectively we know of a good number of suppliers that are good to work with, and which ones to avoid. The Guanxi concept plays an important role, when we work with a factory we have known for a long time, or to whom we have been introduce helps a lot, because then there is much more at stake than just the current business deal. In case of problem (yes, they do occur sometimes..) am unknown” factory will just abandon a tooling halfway when they think fixing the problems will cost more then the final payment is worth. A “Guanxi“ factory will take the hit and keep going until the client is atisfied, so he avoids losing face.
Factory Inspection/Supplier Quality Audit
While Guanxi go a long way, the mere fact that we’re good buddies with a factory owner is of course in itself not enough, and we provide solid audit reports of the factory we’re selecting for you.
Incoming inspection
A factory Quality processes can be top notch, but Garbage In is still Garbage Out. That’s why we place quite a lot of emphasis on incoming inspection. Even more important is to verify that the incoming parts can only come from the approved source, a great majority of quality problems are caused by China manufacturers trying to save a penny by substituting inferior materials.
Pre-Production Inspection
The Pre-Production samples, which in case of electronics we define as final working sample PCBA in tooled housing, is of course an important milestone. No manufacturer is happy with 50,000 rejected units, so they often will try to sneak reworked units back in the shipments. Our goal is of course to identify potential problems early so we can eliminate the causes.
Production Inspection: 100%
Quality Inspection in most mass production factories in the US and Europe means Statistical Process Control. Don’t be surprised when a China manufacturer says he doesn’t know SPC, they typically go with 100% inspection. For a manufacturer of disk-drives armatures in Dong Guan this means that 500,000 armatures are inspected per day, by a hall full with girls with microscopes. JitVerify makes sure that the inspectors are measuring the right attributes in the right way, and perform random sample tests of the final packaged product.
-FOB price
-the cost of returns (material/immaterial)
-the cost of delayed delivery (material/immaterial)
-the cost of management (flights/hotels, jetlag, agony)
Paying for good quality inspection is an insurance premium that no experienced China buyer goes without.
China Quality Assurance Services
Inspection Criteria definition
Quality is often defined as “conformance to specification” so in order for us to measure it we first have to sit down with our client and agree on what key measurements define a quality product. In addition to that we realize that not all quality concerns can be reduced to a number, especially for aesthetic quality of products, and that’s where our Western staff with background in Industrial Design comes in very useful.
Supplier selection
Our management team has been working in Greater China for a many years, and collectively we know of a good number of suppliers that are good to work with, and which ones to avoid. The Guanxi concept plays an important role, when we work with a factory we have known for a long time, or to whom we have been introduce helps a lot, because then there is much more at stake than just the current business deal. In case of problem (yes, they do occur sometimes..) am unknown” factory will just abandon a tooling halfway when they think fixing the problems will cost more then the final payment is worth. A “Guanxi“ factory will take the hit and keep going until the client is atisfied, so he avoids losing face.
Factory Inspection/Supplier Quality Audit
While Guanxi go a long way, the mere fact that we’re good buddies with a factory owner is of course in itself not enough, and we provide solid audit reports of the factory we’re selecting for you.
Incoming inspection
A factory Quality processes can be top notch, but Garbage In is still Garbage Out. That’s why we place quite a lot of emphasis on incoming inspection. Even more important is to verify that the incoming parts can only come from the approved source, a great majority of quality problems are caused by China manufacturers trying to save a penny by substituting inferior materials.
Pre-Production Inspection
The Pre-Production samples, which in case of electronics we define as final working sample PCBA in tooled housing, is of course an important milestone. No manufacturer is happy with 50,000 rejected units, so they often will try to sneak reworked units back in the shipments. Our goal is of course to identify potential problems early so we can eliminate the causes.
Production Inspection: 100%
Quality Inspection in most mass production factories in the US and Europe means Statistical Process Control. Don’t be surprised when a China manufacturer says he doesn’t know SPC, they typically go with 100% inspection. For a manufacturer of disk-drives armatures in Dong Guan this means that 500,000 armatures are inspected per day, by a hall full with girls with microscopes. JitVerify makes sure that the inspectors are measuring the right attributes in the right way, and perform random sample tests of the final packaged product.
Saturday
Though it is difficult to secure high quality goods from China
Though it is difficult to secure high quality goods from China, countless companies are (quietly) succeeding in doing just that, so it is clearly possible. Possible, but not easy, and what this means is that the cost difference in sourcing from China must be great enough to make up for the time and money that will need to be incurred to maintain quality. Very briefly, companies getting product from China should, at minimum, be looking at the following:
1. Chinese Suppliers. Since Chinese suppliers run the gambit from superb to criminal, you must check out any potential supplier in advance. A basic credit check will reveal whether the Chinese company with whom you have contracted is in fact the factory owner, not just some broker posing as such. A thriving company is less likely to risk its reputation by cutting safety corners than a company on the verge of going under.
2. Quality Control. Since most Chinese product arrives already packaged for retail sale, a statistically valid inspection system within China is critical. The Chinese government has its own inspection system for food and drugs, but to reduce costs, many Chinese suppliers intentionally avoid this system. It is your job to make sure your Chinese supplier is licensed to manufacture the product you are buying, licensed to export it, and follows Chinese government inspection procedures. It is your job to have the right people testing that product, be it your own people or a reliable third party tester.
3. Contracts. Your contract with your supplier should detail your safety and quality control requirements and your inspection rights. If the contract states you are responsible for inspection, you must actually inspect. Your contract with your Chinese manufacturer can either shift liability towards you or away from you.
4. History. You know who your problem suppliers are and you need to replace them now before they cause even bigger problems. Ask a product liability defense lawyer whether having to deal with a bunch of e-mails from you to your supplier complaining of "continual quality shortfalls" is going to be good for your product injury lawsuit. Actually, don't bother, you know the answer.
1. Chinese Suppliers. Since Chinese suppliers run the gambit from superb to criminal, you must check out any potential supplier in advance. A basic credit check will reveal whether the Chinese company with whom you have contracted is in fact the factory owner, not just some broker posing as such. A thriving company is less likely to risk its reputation by cutting safety corners than a company on the verge of going under.
2. Quality Control. Since most Chinese product arrives already packaged for retail sale, a statistically valid inspection system within China is critical. The Chinese government has its own inspection system for food and drugs, but to reduce costs, many Chinese suppliers intentionally avoid this system. It is your job to make sure your Chinese supplier is licensed to manufacture the product you are buying, licensed to export it, and follows Chinese government inspection procedures. It is your job to have the right people testing that product, be it your own people or a reliable third party tester.
3. Contracts. Your contract with your supplier should detail your safety and quality control requirements and your inspection rights. If the contract states you are responsible for inspection, you must actually inspect. Your contract with your Chinese manufacturer can either shift liability towards you or away from you.
4. History. You know who your problem suppliers are and you need to replace them now before they cause even bigger problems. Ask a product liability defense lawyer whether having to deal with a bunch of e-mails from you to your supplier complaining of "continual quality shortfalls" is going to be good for your product injury lawsuit. Actually, don't bother, you know the answer.
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