Once you have settled on a product idea, the following step is to find factories in China to bring it to life. A dependable manufacturer can be found in China with ease. We are talking about a helpful and involved factory whose workflow and structure are near-perfect.
When looking for a manufacturer, you want to ensure that you get the most excellent quality at the lowest possible price. Customer complaints about a defective product will be directed towards you, not the manufacturer. We've assisted many individuals in the same situation when it comes to import from China. This tutorial will go over all you need to know to discover a reputable Chinese manufacturer.
As a company owner, you may want to customize products in China but aren't sure where to start. Find a suitable China supplier for your items by following these steps:
Finding a manufacturer in China
Many individuals who want to buy products from China in bulk use the internet as their primary source of information. Alibaba, Global Sources, and Made in China are a few examples of internet sourcing platforms that help link customers with Chinese manufacturers. B2B portals may be more beneficial than a broad search on Google, Bing, or Yahoo.
You type in what you're looking for in the search field and hit enter. If you can be more explicit, that will help. In this case, you may look for "brass diecast drawers and cabinet locks" instead of just "brass locks." Because there are so many China online suppliers, you may use the platform's ranking system to narrow down your options.
It's vital to remember that many of the companies listed by search results and sourcing portals may be resellers rather than manufacturers when using these tools to narrow down your search. Alibaba, for example, awards "gold" ratings to its vendors, which customers interpret as a seal of approval. The "certified supplier" category on Global Sources is a similar one.
While sourcing from such an intermediary may be acceptable if you are buying products for retail, such as beauty products, gadgets, clothing, or low-cost electronics, it is best to identify a supplier and source directly from China when your products must fulfil specific technical requirements, such as castings, metal stamping, and plastic moulding.
This also saves money, which is the most significant factor. While checking sources, you may screen out resellers (more on that later.)
Trustworthiness isn't determined by "gold" or "confirmed ratings." As a reminder, suppliers that pay Alibaba an annual premium membership fee might be granted gold status, which boosts the vendor's exposure on the site.
B2B platforms do not always verify whether a firm is what it claims to be a manufacturer, rather than just another dealer or reseller. Such tags as "approved supplier" might suggest that a third party verifies that the source exists and is legitimate. In addition, it does not imply that their declared products or projects and production capabilities have been validated. However, these phrases might help you narrow your search terms.
Still, they should not be treated as a final judgment on a company's credibility or legitimacy—one of the essential resources in your industry contacts. Trade associations, your industry connections, and even other firms' suggestions are all possible sources of information.
Trade fairs are a great place to find manufacturers in China if you're prepared for the challenge. The size of your company, the kind of goods you want to outsource, and the budget will all play a role in how much time and money you have to spend on this.
You'll learn why China is referred to as the "world's factory" if you attend these fairs. You'll get a better idea of what's out there if you do this. Major companies also frequent the biggest fairs solely to protect their intellectual property (IP) by spotting counterfeits and taking legal action against their makers.
The Canton Exhibition, held twice a year in Guangzhou (previously Canton), is China's biggest trade fair. This mega fair attracts close to 26,000 exhibitors and 180,000 buyers from across the world and is a good experience for those seeking to scope out the market, looking for new products to add to their inventories. Because the Canton Fair is known as "the trade fair of everything," it is a fantastic place to begin when looking for a factory in China.
This year, Shanghai hosts the Chinese Diecasting Fair, an international event that brings together diecasting professionals worldwide. At least 450 die casting companies and 19,000 people are expected to attend each year's event, bringing together the industry's materials, equipment, and accessories suppliers.
The National Electronics Show, which focuses on global sourcing and attracts Chinese manufacturers, is another option if you don't want to fly to China. It is hosted in Las Vegas each year.
Chicago hosts the International Advanced Manufacturing Show (IMTS) every even-numbered year. From 117 nations, buyers and dealers are drawn to it. You may be able to connect with exhibitors of items comparable to those you are trying to outsource at these fairs. However, keep in mind that during events held in the United States, you may only be able to select from a small number of Chinese vendors.
If you're just getting started with outsourcing, manufacturing sourcing agents can assist you in locating vendors and walking you through the process step-by-step. Companies in the US and Europe have relied on Sourcing Allies, for example, for more than a decade to help them source and manufacture items from China, India, and Eastern Europe.
Buyers seeking a manufacturer in China may rely on our multicultural team of British, American, and Swedish expatriates who have been living in China for years to undertake a lot of the study and due diligence.
If you think of China as a single vast territory, you'd be wrong. It's a collection of smaller ones. When it comes to finding the finest low-cost locations, a professional sourcing agent will know just where to go. For example, you may be able to identify manufacturers that meet your demands in numerous Chinese provinces. Still, Guangdong province has more consumer electronics manufacturers, while Zhejiang province has more die casting and plastic moulding firms.
You'll have to put in some effort, of course, but depending on sourcing experts' knowledge can help you avoid typical pitfalls and guarantee that your outsourced project is a success from the beginning. Your following product or part will be simple to outsource if your sourcing partner understands your expectations and demands.
Shortlist the manufacturers and providers you want to work with
You'll find factories in China in your first search, but you'll need to narrow it down further. For example, you may call each one and explain your needs, such as:
1. Die-casting, metal stamping, or plastic moulding may be required to make the components you want to produce.
2. Your MOQ (minimum order quantity) is the amount you must purchase to place an order.
Experience shows that Chinese factory owners are wary of "development" initiatives because of the time and money they consume and the lack of a precise result. (In most cases, tooling must be continually modified, resulting in delays and higher costs.) The manufacturer may either assist you in improving your idea further or create a prototype if you don't have a mould.
Verify the credentials
This is the time for you to check their credentials. However, even though they may have provided you with some information, you still need to do your research:
Whether they are the manufacturer itself and not just an intermediary
Whether or not they can deliver on their promises regarding technological know-how and manufacturing capacity
It's possible to determine the Chinese name of the plant and its exact position and the local authority office that has control over it. There is a slew of options open to you in this regard. In addition to requesting copies of their company licenses and other credentials, you should review the factory's audited financial statements, verify its VAT invoice, and request samples of their products.
You may check the information they've given you by going to this office to have a copy of the factory's registration documents.
One approach to separate manufacturers from resellers is to know which Chinese location is best suited to produce the goods you need. It is more probable that the supplier is located in another province, which means they are more likely to be a distributor than a manufacturer. Zhejiang province, for example, is home to a large number of diecast and plastic moulding businesses.
When it comes to finding suppliers for your products, several sourcing experts suggest that you visit a few selected factories in China first. To get the most out of a trip like this, buyers often combine it with a trade show or two visits. A skilled sourcing agency can do it if you don't have time to do this yourself.
How to negotiate price with a Chinese manufacturer?
They're always very cautious whenever it comes to talk about price; you should be, too. Remove them from consideration if their ability to reduce expenses is one of your criteria for a long-term partnership. Negotiation isn't always necessary in certain situations. For you and the manufacturer, what is required is to create a mutual understanding. Put yourself in the shoes of someone who wants to make friends.
On the other side, you should be well-versed in the situation to arrive prepared. Before the negotiation, please do some research on their preferred price.
What is the best way to check the product's quality?
Make a list of manufacturers you'd want to work with and request a sampling of your item from each one. Don't worry about minor differences between the sample or your prototypes. It's unusual for a manufacturer to get it the right first time.
When preparing a sample, it may be necessary to go back and forth a few times until you are pleased. As a result of this procedure, you and the supplier will feel more at ease and better equipped to work together.
Is it necessary for me to go to the factory?
You didn't have to do this unless you ordered a big or intricate order. When in doubt about a firm, let them know that you'll do a factory check before finalizing the sale. This technique will drive away fraudulent enterprises, while reputable ones will embrace it.
Of course, it's a good idea to conduct some research on any business you're thinking about working with. This might include:
Asking for recommendation letters from the producer bank
Asking for recommendations from existing customers and calling them
By conducting your thorough research in this manner, you considerably minimize the possibility of falling into complications and boost your chances of a long and pleasant connection with the Chinese manufacturer.
Conclusion
Make sure that any possible production problems are discovered and dealt with. It seems unlikely that any current issues will vanish during the production process. Although many manufacturers may be trusted, they must be aware of the information you possess and the possible problems.
You can migrate to a low-cost factory setting even if your goods aren't labour-intensive, but exporting labour-intensive items is more certain to save you money. Your product's value-added features also make a difference. It is possible to save a significant amount of money by outsourcing the production of items and components that need heavy machining.