Any business that seeks to flourish must have a strong supply and distribution wing as they form two very important components of the supply chain mechanism of a product. On them depends whether consumers will get the products that they have created a demand for in a timely, efficient manner. It is very important for the supplier-distributor relationship to be in perfect sync and harmony for a superior customer experience.
China is known for its low cost of product development and production, making it a preferred choice for many companies to source products from. However, find the right wholesale suppliers and distributors in China, is not the easiest thing to do.
Here are a few things that you can do to find the right suppliers and distributors in China:
Internet Search
This is the most basic thing that you can start your search with, not to mention the most cost-friendly. Use search engines like Google or platforms for B2B transactions such as Alibaba or Made-in-China.com to look for suppliers. Most of these platforms make it easy for you to determine trusted and reliable suppliers with the help of their reviews or maintaining a list of blacklisted members as well as verified members. There are literally thousands of options to choose from, but you can always narrow down your search by using the right filters.
Finding Chinese wholesale distributors is a more difficult process as Chinese distributors often do not have any vested interest in promoting the image of a US-based product in their country. An internet search can definitely help but since the focus is on the Chinese market, their websites may not be in English. Make sure to have a translator while you do your online search. Study the situation of the market and look for distributors dealing in products similar to the ones you sell.
Trade Shows
Attending a trade show allows you to interact first hand with a host of potential suppliers about their products, companies, quality control measures or production capacities. There are two notable trade shows in China- ‘Canton Fair’ which is held bi-annually and is the biggest in the country. The East China Fair is another big trade fair. However, if traveling all the way to China is something you’re not willing to do, there is the International Consumer Electronics Show (Las Vegas) which has many participants from China.
Government Resources
Contact the US Embassy located in Beijing or the Consulate Generals office to seek assistance. These agencies are extremely resourceful for you and they could provide you with lists of verified and reputable distributors located in China, with their company and contact details.