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AQL General Inspection Levels: What are They, and How do They Work?
AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit) is an important sampling method you’ll use when conducting product inspections at your factory. So if you’re making consumer goods and learning about AQL, you’ve probably seen the various inspection levels along the top of the AQL chart....
Manufacturing in Vietnam: Is it the Best Choice for Your Business?
The Vietnamese manufacturing industry has boomed in recent years, and the country has continually grown its exports. In 2012, Vietnam exported just over $114 trillion worth of goods — items ranging from textiles to electronics. By 2022, exports ballooned over $370...
What is a Children’s Product Certificate, and How Do You Get One?
Are you planning to import or sell a children’s product in the United States? Did you know that if it’s intended for kids aged 12 or younger, a law called CPSIA requires you to produce a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)? We often get emails from people who’ve...
Quality vs. Compliance: What They Are and How to Manage Them Effectively
Product quality and compliance are vital concerns for companies manufacturing consumer products. While quality is generally about meeting customer expectations, compliance is about meeting regulatory requirements. If you want to manufacture competitive products,...
Welcome to 2023. Here are 3 Things Importers Should Keep an Eye On
Happy New Year! The last several years have been challenging for companies managing international supply chains. As such, you’re probably trying to discern the direction of things as we dive into 2023. If there’s anything we’ve learned from the last half-decade, it’s...
Farewell to 2022, and Our Top 5 Articles of the Year
2022 is drawing to a close, and it’s time to reflect on the past year and prepare for a new one. It was another roller coaster of a year for supply chains, particularly with lockdowns and port closures in China. Thankfully, the country has decided to reopen, but with...
5 Types of Supplier Audits That Will Help You Assess Your Manufacturer
Assessing manufacturers is a vital aspect of supply chain management for many consumer product brands. As such, you may be thinking about conducting a supplier audit to help uncover hidden manufacturing issues or aid you in supplier development. In general, audits...
What is Quality Fade, and How Can You Avoid It?
Imagine you’ve been working with a manufacturer in Vietnam to produce a line of laptop bags for the last two years, and the relationship has gone well. You have reasonable quality standards for your product, and you feel like the factory has met them. Then, one day,...
Is China Finally Exiting Zero-Covid, and How Will it Affect Your Orders?
The last few years have been tumultuous for businesses with international supply chains. And for those importing from China, the pandemic has only added to complications like tariffs and strained relations with the US. China’s strict pandemic controls have led to...
What is the Difference Between Quality Inspection and Quality Control?
To succeed in the marketplace, consumer product companies must ensure that their products meet customer standards. As such, you may be thinking about measures you can take to achieve high product quality and get great reviews. If you want to do an excellent job of...
What Makes a Good Product “Good,” and How Do You Improve Quality?
Making good products is fundamental to establishing trust with consumers, and companies that accomplish this reap great rewards. According to data from Salsify, 46% of US consumers say they are willing to pay more for a brand name they trust, and 54% research a...
How to Get a Product Lab Tested for Safety, Compliance, or Performance
When you’re selling consumer goods, regulatory compliance is a vital concern. Imagine you begin importing your product only to discover that a government agency has found harmful chemicals in it, and you are required to pay an enormous fine. Or perhaps you’ve made...
5 Things You Need to Know About China Factory Audits
China makes up a remarkable 28.7% of total global manufacturing output, according to UN statistics. And despite the push to diversify sourcing locations in recent years, the country’s manufacturing dominance leads countless companies to take advantage of its...
What is Quality Control (QC), and How Does it Work?
Many leading consumer goods companies today focus intently on product quality — and for good reasons. Selling high-quality products can significantly impact customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. It can also prevent customer returns and one-star reviews, which lead...
What is Supplier Development, and Why is it So Important?
Finding a trustworthy supplier is key if you’re looking to establish an effective and efficient supply chain. Sometimes, a supplier relationship can start off great, but new issues develop over time, such as a decline in quality, shipping issues, or social...
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Working With an Inspection Company in China
When you want to ensure the quality of your products, working with an inspection company in China can be a smart move. Many savvy buyers understand that conducting a quality inspection while goods are at the factory can help them catch issues early and avoid shipping...
What is Total Quality Management (TQM), and How Does it Work?
Committing to quality isn’t a one-time initiative — it’s an ongoing process that involves careful strategizing and monitoring of your supply chain and business model. But high-quality output doesn’t emerge from nowhere: it’s the people within your organization whose...
Skip-Lot Inspections: How to Maximize Your Quality Spend
Conducting a quality inspection before each shipment helps verify that your manufacturer is producing goods that meet your standards. It lowers the chance of having to put out an unexpected fire after the products arrive at your customer’s warehouse. However, if...