We at Q International wanted to share an article with you from the US Chamber of Commerce. This article outlines the ways in which the US Chamber helps facilitate the growth of commercial ties between U.S. and Asian companies. Vietnam sourcing, China sourcing, Vietnam manufacturing, and China manufacturing are increasingly being utilized by US companies to increase their bottom line. We hope that you find this article informative and learn more about why US companies are increasingly turning to global sourcing and outsourcing services as US-Asia relationships become more advantageous to growing businesses. To read the article and learn more about US-Asia business relations, click here.
Archive for the ‘Product Sourcing’ Category
Article from the US Chamber of Commerce: “The US-China Relationship: The Truth Behind the Rhetoric”
Monday, May 10th, 2010Is it a good idea to buy directly from Asia?
Monday, May 3rd, 2010There is no question that your company can save money by having products manufactured in Asia, but is it a good idea? Absolutely – as long as you understand the risks involved. Partnering with the right global sourcing company can help minimize exposure and avoid common global sourcing mistakes, dramatically decreasing your company’s risks to these types of issues.
Some of the reasons that American small businesses are wary of importing from Asia include the following:
1. Concern that too much planning is involved to order weeks ahead of time.
It is important to develop a reasonable timetable for delivery. If your company does not have shipping logistics in place, determining the most timely shipping method and ensuring that customs issues and government regulations in both Asia and the U.S. are followed is critical. It is a nightmare to have your shipment arrive in the U.S. and then receive an order to ship it back to Asia because U.S. customs regulations were not followed or the correct customs forms were not filed.
2. Suspicion that products “made in China” or “made in Vietnam” might be of low quality or made from dangerous materials.
We have all heard the horror stories about products manufactured in Asia. Major recalls due to the use of dangerous materials and poor design and workmanship have been major headlines in recent months. The costs to a company’s bottom line and its reputation can be devastating as a result.
3. Worry that products made in China and made in Vietnam are all made in sweatshops.
Child labor and poor working conditions for employees often come to mind when considering China manufacturing and Vietnam manufacturing. Aside from the obvious ethical concerns associated with these risks, there is the risk of a company’s name forever being linked to such business practices.
As one of the most trusted global sourcing companies in the industry, Q International handles all the complexities of the sourcing process. We work with you from design to delivery so that purchasing and manufacturing overseas becomes a simple and seamless process. Q International has built a network of trusted partnerships with our manufacturers. With the combined purchasing power of all of our clients, we often can negotiate lower minimum quantity requirements than if a single company were going through the buying process on its own. We look forward to discussing the process with you and answering any questions that you might have about how using a sourcing consultant can increase your bottom line. Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.
How is a sourcing consultant beneficial?
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010The sourcing consultant’s main job is to guide your company through the international sourcing process, ensuring that your company is manufacturing at efficiencies to deliver a product that is price competitive in the market.
Once the sourcing consultant receives the product specifications from the client, the consultant will help the client determine which design and materials should be used to most economically produce the product, while still meeting the client’s quality specifications.
Finding the best supplier to manufacture the product and obtaining a price quote from that supplier is one of the areas where a sourcing consultant’s expertise is particularly important. One of the many challenges for a US business or individual with a product idea is manufacturing at efficiencies to deliver a product that is price competitive. One of the solutions to this problem is finding manufacturers in countries with cost efficiencies that can produce the product at the right price. The two most prevalent efficiencies in manufacturing overseas are lower labor costs and raw material availability. This can be a difficult task for a company – especially with barriers such as language and cultural differences. The right sourcing consultant is an expert in these areas and can do business effectively and efficiently in the manufacturing country.
If the client agrees to the price quoted, a sourcing consultant will coordinate obtaining a sample from the supplier and arrange payment of sampling costs by the company.
Once a sample is approved, a sourcing consultant uses his or her expertise to ensure quality production and that the supplier has met all product specifications, as defined by the client. An effective sourcing consultant will have a tried and true process in place as well as people on the ground to check goods for quality.
If the company does not have shipping logistics in place, a sourcing consultant can help determine the most cost effective shipping method. This will depend on factors such as customs and government regulations in the manufacturing country, all of which an experienced sourcing consultant will possess expert knowledge. The sourcing consultant will also be familiar with foreign exchange rates and will calculate these to minimize currency exposure
As one of the most trusted global sourcing companies in the industry, Q International handles all the complexities of the sourcing process. We work with you from design to delivery so that purchasing and manufacturing overseas becomes a simple and seamless process. Q International has built a network of trusted partnerships with our manufacturers. With the combined purchasing power of all of our clients, we often can negotiate lower minimum quantity requirements than if a single company were going through the buying process on its own. We look forward to discussing the process with you and answering any questions that you might have about how using a sourcing consultant can increase your bottom line. Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.
What is international sourcing?
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010In a nutshell, international sourcing or global sourcing is an international procurement strategy that takes advantage of global efficiencies to deliver a product or service. The process can be overwhelming for a company, but is an activity that must be pursued in order for a company to manufacture at efficiencies that will allow it to deliver a product that is price competitive in the market.
