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Month: January 2022

List of Packaging Companies In India (15 choices)

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”li-aero”]15 Packaging Companies In IndiaChina is hard to compete with when sourcing suppliers for all kinds of products, however, India is an emerging option for products and services that China used to corner the market in such as PCBs and plastic injection molding. For those needing packaging, retail boxes, tape, plastic wrap, etc, packaging companies in India are also an increasingly attractive option, so let’s explore some companies and their features to help get your sourcing started.

Continue reading “List of Packaging Companies In India (15 choices)”

Sourcing Chinese Manufacturers: Western Or Chinese Model? [Podcast]

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Sourcing Chinese Manufacturers_ Western Or Chinese Model_ [Podcast]Our CEO Renaud wrote this guest post on Harris Bricken’s ‘China Law Blog’ explaining the two typical Chinese manufacturing models for importers looking for a partner to help them develop and mass produce their new product.

In this episode, he discusses the two models in more detail with Adrian from the Sofeast team and you’ll learn why Chinese manufacturers usually don’t behave in the same way as those in the West or those following a Western model in China. When developing a product you need to be careful that both sides’ expectations are clear from the start, your IP is protected, and you understand the pros & cons of each model. Renaud explores all of this here.

Usually, transparency, control, and IP protection are key requirements for SMEs and entrepreneurs bringing an innovative product to market, and you’ll also see why these needs really influence the type of manufacturer that you probably want to be working with in China.

Ready to go? Let’s do it!

 

Listen here!

Listen: Chinese Or Western Model Manufacturer. Which To Use In China?

Watch on Youtube

 

Episode sections

  • 00:00 – Greetings & introduction
  • 01:59 – Who does the product engineering design work?
  • 08:16 – The ‘Western Model’ and its pros & cons
  • 18:13 – The ‘Chinese Model’ and its pros & cons
  • 33:03 – How do you select which model is better for your needs?
  • 38:50 – Wrapping up.

 

Related content…

 

Disclaimer

Here at Sofeast, we are not lawyers. What we discussed above is based only on our understanding of the legal requirements. We do not present this information as a basis for you to make decisions, and we do not accept any liability if you do so. Consider consulting a lawyer before making legal decisions.

 

Listen, rate, & subscribe to the ‘China Manufacturing Decoded’ podcast on your favorite provider

There are more episodes to come, so remember to rate us and subscribe! You can find us on:

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to give us a 5* rating and share it with your network if you enjoy listening!

The NPI Process: Trouble Awaits If You Skip Its Steps! [Podcast]

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The NPI Process: Trouble Awaits If You Skip Its Stages! [Podcast]

After we hit 10,000 downloads we promised we’d revisit New Product Introduction ~ here we go! We’ve written before about the complexity of the New Product Introduction process, and this can be off-putting for entrepreneurs and SMEs who’re new to bringing their products to market.

But, as you’ll find out in this episode, the NPI process consists of a number of steps that allow you to validate your product and assure that it can be manufactured with the minimum of issues. That means on-time, at your expected level of quality, reliable enough to last the correct amount of time, and on budget.

It can be tempting to skip steps and rush your product into production. In fact, your Chinese manufacturer may well encourage this, but our CEO Renaud and head of NPD (new product development) Andrew re-examine the NPI process and explain why skipping its steps is a dangerous game while highlighting the risks you face if doing so.

 

Listen here!

Listen: Andrew Amirnovin | Risks You Face When Skipping New Product Introduction Steps

Watch on Youtube

 

Episode sections

  • 00:00 – Greetings & introduction
  • 01:11 – Looking back at one of our most popular older episodes about the NPI processEpisode 23: Analysing the (NPI) New Product Introduction Process & its Benefits is one of our all-time most popular episodes, and in it, Renaud went through our 6-phase NPI process for bringing your product from concept through to mass production.
  • 02:53 – Today’s focus: The risks of skipping the different NPI phases and rushing into production
  • 04:16 – Concept/Idea & Documenting the requirements
  • 10:05 – Feasibility study/Proof of concept
  • 13:42 – Sourcing key components and materials early
  • 19:40 – Getting feedback on the design before production
  • 24:38 – In-depth testing during pre-production
  • 30:20 – Pilot runs
  • 34:56 – Wrapping up

 

Related content…

 

Listen, rate, & subscribe to the ‘China Manufacturing Decoded’ podcast on your favorite provider

There are more episodes to come, so remember to rate us and subscribe! You can find us on:

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to give us a 5* rating and share it with your network if you enjoy listening!

Correctly Using A Non Disclosure Non Use Non Circumvention Agreement [Podcast]

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Correctly Using Use A Non Disclosure Non Use Non Circumvention Agreement [Podcast]

The main topic is the non-disclosure non-use non-circumvention agreement. These agreements are important legal tools for importers to use if they’re serious about protecting their business interests and product IP. But there are right and wrong ways to use them, so Renaud explains some of the common mistakes made by importers when using NNN agreements for you to avoid.

However, we start this episode by looking at the current Covid situation in China. Despite strict zero-covid policies, there are outbreaks along the East coast in many major manufacturing areas and it’s starting to look difficult, especially with the Winter Olympics and Chinese New Year coming up soon. How are supply chains being affected?

 

Listen here!

Listen: What Makes An Appropriate NNN Agreement?

Watch on Youtube

 

Episode sections

  • 00:00 – Greetings & introduction
  • 01:10 – Exploring the worsening Covid situation across China & its effect on supply chains there. 
  • 11:45 – What is a non-disclosure non-use non-circumvention agreement?
  • 18:40 – What do importers often get wrong when drafting and using NNN agreements?
  • 34:46 – Wrapping up. 

 

Related content…

Disclaimer

Here at Sofeast, we are not lawyers. What we discussed above is based only on our understanding of the legal requirements. We do not present this information as a basis for you to make decisions, and we do not accept any liability if you do so. Consider consulting a lawyer before making legal decisions.

 

Listen, rate, & subscribe to the ‘China Manufacturing Decoded’ podcast on your favorite provider

There are more episodes to come, so remember to rate us and subscribe! You can find us on:

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to give us a 5* rating and share it with your network if you enjoy listening!

Can I trust Chinese steel products?

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Can I trust Chinese steel productsThis is a guest post kindly submitted by Brad Pritts, Technical Director of Unibond, a longtime reader of our blog QualityInspection.org, who often contributes to conversations around the topic of my articles. A big thanks to Brad for this content…

Let’s talk about the Chinese steel industry… from a few perspectives.

Unibond has been producing brake shoes in the USA since 1952. In 1999, we expanded production in China, and, to this day, produce brakes in both countries. We produce high volume models in our US plant, and medium to lower volume models in China. This allows us to capitalize on more complex equipment and tooling for the high volume models, while using simpler, but more labor-intensive techniques for the models we build in China. Some models are run in both locations, allowing us to shift back and forth as market conditions change. Using the right steel is “mission-critical”, so we take our steel purchasing seriously on both continents. In this article, I will tackle the question of whether Chinese steel products ‘can be trusted?’

Continue reading “Can I trust Chinese steel products?”

DIY Sourcing From China Part 4: Final Inspections [Podcast]

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DIY Sourcing From China Part 4: Final Inspections [Podcast]

Our CEO Renaud Anjoran continues this mini-series of episodes for importers who want to handle their own sourcing from China from start to finish with this episode about final inspections that is the fourth in the series.

Back in part 3 of the series, we discussed how to manage your project with your outsourced manufacturer and the role of inspections during the production process.

Moving on to the next stage, your supplier has now manufactured your products and you’re almost ready to ship! But before you do there’s a last important step to remember, to perform a final random inspection where you’ll verify product quantity, quality, and packaging and labelling accuracy.

 

Listen here!

Listen: Sourcing from China (Part 4): Use final inspections to verify order quality BEFORE shipment

Watch on Youtube

 

Episode sections

  • 00:00 – Greetings & introduction into where we are in the series and today’s topic: final inspections.
  • 02:30 – What are the risks of letting products ship without performing a final inspection? 
  • 11:04 – What is a final inspection? 
  • 16:18 – When are final inspections usually performed, and why?
  • 19:02 – Where should the final inspection take place and who does it? 
  • 24:11 – Why it’s a very busy time period for inspections just before Chinese New Year.
  • 25:51 – What are the unique benefits of a final inspection in comparison to earlier product inspections?
  • 31:51 – Wrapping up. 

 

Related content…

 

Listen, rate, & subscribe to the ‘China Manufacturing Decoded’ podcast on your favorite provider

There are more episodes to come, so remember to rate us and subscribe! You can find us on:

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to give us a 5* rating and share it with your network if you enjoy listening!

How Blending Off-site & On-site QA Activities Helps You Reach Your Objectives

Posted on by sofeast

How Blending Off-site & On-site QA Activities Helps You Reach Your ObjectivesQA activities, like supplier evaluations and product inspections, can take place both on and off-site today and the optimal approach is sometimes a blend of both.

For example, most importers are familiar with an auditor going to their supplier’s factory and evaluating the quality systems. Now, can some of the procedures be sent beforehand and checked by the auditor off-site, as a complement to the on-site audit where the daily practices can be focused on more strictly? Definitely.

Continue reading “How Blending Off-site & On-site QA Activities Helps You Reach Your Objectives”

Review Of 2021’s Top China Manufacturing Stories [Podcast]

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Review Of 2021's Top China Manufacturing Stories [Podcast]Firstly, we wish all of our listeners a very happy new year!

In this episode, Sofeast CEO and host Renaud recaps some of 2021’s biggest stories for manufacturers, especially those with Chinese supply chains, with Adrian from the team.

Almost everyone has been affected by Covid in one way or another in 2021, and many businesses have found it hard going due to material cost rises, long shipping delays and high costs, localized lockdowns disrupting supply, and more. Rocky relations between China and the West aren’t helping, either. Renaud gives his thoughts on these stories and more and predicts what we can expect in 2022.

We also review some of Sofeast’s different business units’ activities and achievements during 2021 and lift the lid on some of our plans for next year, so you can get an understanding of what we do. 

Finally, we remind you about our top 5 podcast episodes from 2021 (and provide the links so you can listen again) and suggest some of the best content we’ve created this year, such as an IP protection guide and some great white papers, that you may have missed.

 

Listen here!

Listen: Looking Back At 2021’s Key Stories For Importers From China

Watch on Youtube

 

Episode sections

  • 00:00 – New Year Greetings
  • 01:25 – Covid 19. 
  • 03:48 – The supply chain crisis. 
  • 05:04 – Just-in-time being replaced by just-in-case. 
  • 07:13 – Tensions between China and other countries. 
  • 09:56 – Diversifying supply chains out of China. 
  • 13:59 – The ‘exodus’ of manufacturers from China. Real, or over-hyped?
  • 17:02 – Predictions for 2022? 
  • 22:00 – What has Sofeast been up to in 2021? 
  • 31:56 – 5 top episodes of the podcast in 2021. These 5 episodes were the most popular with you all this year.
  1. Jon Monroe | How Did Sea Freight End Up In Such An Expensive Mess In 2021?
  2. 3 Quality Control Plans & Why They’re Needed BEFORE Production
  3. The Many Benefits Of Preventive Maintenance
  4. Analysing the (NPI) New Product Introduction Process & its Benefits
  5. Manufacture in China, Vietnam, India, or Elsewhere in 2021?

 

Related content…

Want even more content?

Read Sofeast’s Top 10 Blog Posts Of 2021 and QualityInspection.org’s Top 10 posts and videos of 2021.

 

Listen, rate, & subscribe to the ‘China Manufacturing Decoded’ podcast on your favorite provider

There are more episodes to come, so remember to rate us and subscribe! You can find us on:

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to give us a 5* rating and share it with your network if you enjoy listening!