There is a common perception in the West that China only makes low-quality goods. In many people's minds, a “Made in China” label may as well say, “This is a cheap, poorly-made product that will break within a few weeks.” Look at this meme — a great example of this...
When you are considering a new supplier, vetting them as thoroughly as possible is crucial. Imagine placing your first order with a factory that seems to check all the boxes. However, they delay your order by months, and when you finally receive the products, they are...
Screening new suppliers requires significant time and energy. Whether you're switching manufacturers or selecting your first one, it’s a bad idea to rush the process. Otherwise, you might end up with a low quality product and negative reviews. A factory audit is a...
Are your manufacturers treating workers fairly, compensating them enough, and prioritizing their health and safety? Do you have clear visibility into their practices, and are you taking steps to ensure they are in line with all labor laws? Social compliance is a...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
We all know it when we see it. A quality product tends to be well designed and constructed, serve the purpose for which it was purchased, and satisfy—or exceed—our expectations. But understanding and fulfilling such subjective parameters is a complex, perennial...
