Outsourcing isn’t a new concept to anyone in the world of suppliers and manufacturers. There have been children for decades pointing out items “made in China”. Despite some people placing importance on American-made goods, Chinese manufacturing solutions continue to get used.
The reasoning behind this choice is simple. Overseas manufacturing is more affordable, provides a faster turnover, and allows you to expand your market. However, outsourced manufacturers are more difficult to monitor and hold accountable.
Here are eight things to keep an eye out for when manufacturing in China.
1. Quality Control Services
One of the most important aspects to watch for in Chinese manufacturing is their level of quality control. Some people are under the impression that goods made in China are of lower quality. In reality, it all depends on the vetting process as well as the individual manufacturer.
Part of how you perform quality control from abroad is through regular auditing. If you’ve chosen quality Chinese manufacturing solutions, they should have their own inspection teams to verify the safety and capabilities of a supplier and its factories.
Their services may include pre-production, in-process QC, and container loading inspections.
2. Manufacturing Oversight
When working with a foreign manufacturer, there’s always the concern of ownership. Unless you have some of your own people working in their facility, it can be hard to maintain oversight.
Try to look for an assembly and manufacturing solution that ensures your company has 100% ownership. They should also provide daily facility management.
Some other things they should be able to ensure include ISO standard work practices, consistent record keeping, and a live video feed of their facility. You also want them to be able to accommodate any last-minute changes to your order, such as altered requirements.
3. Product Development and Prototyping
In addition to manufacturing supplies, many overseas manufacturers also include product design and development. The ones ahead of their game make use of 3D rendering and printing technologies.
Digital 3D visualizations help cut costs throughout every part of the product development process. You can make adjustments on the fly, look for any errors in the render, and develop marketing in advance.
Clients will also have access to other development services including industrial design and electronic product development.
4. Better Outreach
A benefit of using overseas manufacturing is access to a whole new market. However, it can also benefit sales in your home country. Gen Z, in particular, may prove a difficult age group to earn as customers.
China manufacturing can help bridge that age gap.
Manufacturers in China can produce stylish products at an affordable cost. They’re far ahead of other countries in terms of e-commerce and amount of online shoppers. You’ll also have access to a talented pool of product designers who can capitalize on newer trends.
5. Third Party Logistics Services
Even though you’re outsourcing your manufacturing with the hope of shipping supplies and products back home, you never know what’ll happen. A worldwide pandemic may restrict your product movement, and you’ll need a place to put your items in the interim.
A good manufacturing solution should also provide you with third-party logistics solutions. They may offer you flexible warehouse solutions overseas as well as in the United States. This includes warehousing for products shipped from your China manufacturer.
6. Lowered Supply Risk
There are ways to negotiate with your supplier to get a better deal for both parties. For example, you can pay a little extra to shorten delivery times or pay upfront for a bigger discount.
However, what do you do when complications arise between your suppliers or even your countries?
A good manufacturing team will provide professional supply chain management. Part of that service includes arranging continued services even when trade gets complicated between China and the US.
They accomplish this by providing alternative supply sources in areas outside China’s borders. Some locations include areas in South East Asia and India, for example.
7. Consultation and Troubleshooting
Most companies have had some kind of negative experience when outsourcing services overseas. Maybe they hired customer services that failed to provide what the company promised. Or maybe the items produced in another country were cheap and low-quality.
The way you avoid those problems is through a consistent and reliable line of communication. What’s important is that someone picks up the phone when you call. You shouldn’t have to send multiple e-mails and call every hour to get a hold of a supervisor.
Even better, a manufacturer should provide a direct line to the team in charge of your product. After your call, they’ll send a team to perform a troubleshooting review and provide an assessment for your viewing.
Expect the review within twenty-four hours. They may or may not also charge you extra for inspections on short notice.
8. Business Setup Services
You’ve partnered with a manufacturing company in China to create and ship your products. But what if you could skip shipping them overseas and start selling them right out the gate?
It’s difficult to expand any business overseas, but it’s easier when you already have a foothold in the area. Worthwhile manufacturing solutions can help arrange a business location in China and walk you through all the necessary paperwork. They’ll even assist with recruitment.
After all, increasing your sales means more business for them.
Find the Best Manufacturing Solutions
It can be hard to find trusted China supplies and services when there are so many options available in the market. The goal is to find something low-cost but also reliable. You want it to meet your goal of saving money without giving up on quality.
China 2 West offers manufacturing solutions and sourcing services to companies looking to utilize our factories or succeed within our borders. We believe in western standards of service and provide suppliers in thousands of product categories. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your business.
