To manage product quality as effectively as possible, you need to have a quality management system in place. An effective quality system helps ensure that each time your products ship, you can be confident that they will be free from excessive defects. When putting...
As an importer, you have requirements that you expect your suppliers to meet. Perhaps you’ve put together specifications to define your product’s materials, measurements, components, and other attributes. And hopefully, you’ve shared those specifications with...
As a consumer product importer, you may be conducting third-party inspections to verify product quality. It’s important to understand, though, that the act of inspecting, on its own, is not enough. Take it from 20th-century quality guru W. Edwards Deming. In his book,...
Since the 1990s, a large percentage of global manufacturing has moved to developing economies, helping companies in the already developed world accomplish their goal of reducing production costs. However, since that time, many companies have faced issues with their...
How can you ensure your supply chain is free of issues like child labor, forced labor, and unfair disciplinary practices? How do you know that your suppliers in developing countries are compliant with all applicable labor laws? Imagine working with a supplier that is...
There is a common perception in the West that China only makes poor quality goods. This is evidenced by the fact that there is no shortage of Internet memes like the one you see below. Sure, there are poor-quality goods made in China and other low-cost countries like...
For consumer goods importers, screening a new supplier takes a significant amount of time and energy. Whether you’re deciding to move away from a current supplier or you’re choosing a supplier for the first time, it is important not to rush the process. A hasty...
Managing the supply chain for a retail brand can be challenging. You need to properly vet potential suppliers and ensure that current suppliers have the systems in place to continue producing quality products. You also need to be sure that your products are free of...
Recently, a company that makes small, metal ladders discovered a big issue with products they had put out into the market. They found that the locking pins and rung fasteners on their ladders were prone to fail, posing a fall hazard to the people standing on them....
As an importer, you have to be sure that you identify the right suppliers and that, once you’ve established your relationships with them, they continue to do good work. This is why factory audits are important. You may be familiar with how product inspections work,...
