Tiny errors in manufacturing may seem, well, tiny. But from humble seeds, big issues can sprout. The longer quality issues go unchecked, the larger and more costly they grow. Eventually, something that seemed like no big deal can become a huge drain on your time and...
As China's labor costs rise and supply chains tighten, many importers have shifted toward a China plus one approach in recent years. And a relatively new player in the Asian economy, Sri Lanka, is quickly rising as a key possibility for sourcing. The country offers...
Many importers have chosen to diversify their manufacturing locations in recent years to include European countries. This trend accelerated when the COVID-19 pandemic started wreaking havoc on global economies and markets. Turkey is among a few nations that have...
In recent years, many companies have adopted a 'China Plus One' strategy for managing their global supply chains. In other words, rather than relying solely on a Chinese manufacturer to make their products, they establish additional supplier relationships in another...
Today’s supply chains are complex, and manufacturers rely on them to get the raw materials and parts they need to make their products. A car might have over 30,000 individual parts, and while an automaker will manufacture some of those parts in-house, they’ll likely...
When importing consumer products, it is vital to understand the different supply chain risks that might affect your business and take appropriate steps to mitigate them. These risks can manifest themselves in many forms, from political unrest to container shortages to...
Many importers have adopted a “China +1” approach in recent years. Over the last decade, labor costs in China have steadily risen, and the country’s government — as evidenced by their Made in China 2025 plan — is moving away from low-cost, labor-intensive goods and...
The trade war and pandemic have made importers think long and hard about where they should produce their products. Many consumer product brands that previously relied exclusively on China have come to adopt a China +1 approach. To mitigate supply chain risks, they...
“You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my...
An abandoned warehouse located in Loveland, Colorado. (Photo: Tara Evans)“This pandemic has underscored the vital importance of reshoring our supply chains and bringing them back into the United States, where they belong, where they should have never left.” –...
