Outsourcing your product manufacturing to China is probably the most cost-effective move you can make for your business. But finding the right manufacturer can become challenging. A quick search will reveal many manufacturing companies in China looking to do business with you. Unfortunately, not all of them are reliable and trustworthy. Some of them may offer cheap or reasonably priced services and are friendly all around, but their products might not meet your quality expectations.
What happens when you choose the wrong manufacturer?
A lot is at stake when you make the wrong choice, including your reputation as a business. This is especially risky when the manufactured goods end up being unsafe or dangerous to use. You will also be wasting a lot of time and money on the wrong manufacturer. You might not even get your money’s worth because of their subpar service and results. There is also the risk of unwittingly choosing a fly-by-night manufacturer that’s only interested in stealing your money, or worse, your intellectual property.
Know how to find and choose the right company in China
All this should not deter you from using Chinese manufacturing companies, though. With careful research, you should be able to find the most reliable service provider you can trust and have complete confidence in their capabilities. Here are three tips to help you with your search for reputable manufacturing companies in China:
1. Check reliable sources.
You can find a range of sources for Chinese manufacturing companies online and offline. Here are some suggestions on places where you can look:
- Alibaba – Here, you get an idea of the pricing and what other customers are saying about the manufacturer. Get the contact information and get in touch with a prospective manufacturer directly outside the platform.
- LinkedIn – Many Chinese manufacturers do not have social media presence, but this platform can be a means to source products and some manufacturers, particularly those that are owned and managed by Westerners but are based in China.
- Trade shows – You can discover more manufacturing companies in China and get to see samples of their products here, too.
- Sourcing agent – Look for a China-based company that has a network of suppliers or manufacturers, which have passed their verification process. They might be able to recommend one that meets your needs.
2. Verify their reputation.
Once you have a prospective manufacturing company in China, get them verified by a third-party quality control inspection agent. Factories can be assessed on different factors, including their operating procedures, management, equipment, and systems. Make sure that the inspection team has relevant experience in the manufacturing sector, so they can easily customize their process to match your unique specifications.
3. Have a factory audit done.
With help from the quality control inspection service provider, you can easily verify the actual capabilities of prospective manufacturing companies in China. They can conduct a factory audit to make sure that the manufacturer is true to its claims. An inspector will explore the factory on your behalf to perform a basic or extensive audit. You can also rely on them for social compliance audits.
