Posts by Seline Chen
The Benefits of Using a Contract Manufacturer
Manufacturing continues to grow throughout the years and has become incredibly profitable. Did you know that manufacturers contribute about $2.71 trillion each year?
If you’re thinking about using a contract manufacturer, you might wonder if it’s worth it. There are several benefits to using one, and some might surprise you! Read this guide on the various benefits of using a contract manufacturer today.
Keep Costs Low
Contract manufacturing is a great way to reduce the cost of your services and products. This is because there’s a lower chance of errors. You can also benefit from bulk purchasing and skilled labor.
All of this can lead to satisfied customers since you can lower the cost of goods. Manufacturing businesses specialize in high-volume production lines and cutting costs.
This means that you can focus on running your business instead of worrying about production or making errors. Many companies are experts in their field and what they sell, but they struggle with the production process. That’s where a contract manufacturer comes in.
Save Money
Did you know that manufacturing accounts for 12% of the U.S. economy? You’ll be able to save money since you won’t have to worry about buying equipment for production. Skilled laborers will already have the equipment that you need.
If a product is high in demand, a manufacturer can focus on decreasing the time that it’ll take.
Test Products
You can test products before they’re in the hands of your customers. This is a great way to save money by not producing a defective design.
Determine what the needs of your business are since each manufacturing company could offer different services. They can also make changes to the product as necessary.
They can improve the products, increase the production rate, and give you great profit margins.
Professionalism
Product manufacturing companies will provide you with products without errors. This will help the reputation of your company.
Some companies will try to do production on their own and then make a grave error. Let a manufacturer perform production and watch your production rates increase.
They can also bring fresh, new ideas to your products. Manufacturers are experts in design and can help your product shine.
Improved Efficiency
Many manufacturers learn how to reduce waste. They can perform various tasks such as painting, machining, difficult assembly, welding, etc. This can help reduce the manufacturing costs for your company.
Manufacturing companies can also provide you with more flexibility. Whether you’re looking to scale production, develop products at the same time, etc.
You can start and schedule projects when it makes the most sense for your business. You’ll also know that they’re using the top-of-the-line equipment in the company to provide you with high-quality products.
Save Resources
Since they’re knowledgeable about reducing waste, you can lessen your carbon footprint. This also means fewer costs for you.
Your staff will have more time to work on business tasks. You can focus on your business, marketing, etc.
If you wanted to do production yourself, you’d need to hire a large staff. This could include operators, engineers, managers, etc.
Whereas contract manufacturers already have their staff in place. You’ll have a large team working on your products without having to worry about shifts, payroll, or hiring workers.
Sell Your Products Sooner
Since managers can create your products fast, you can get your products out there to the consumers quicker. There are different methods such as CNC machining and Rapid prototyping that can help speed up the process.
You might be able to get your products out there in a few weeks!
Various Options
They can handle various aspects of the manufacturing process. These can include material purchases, product design for manufacturing, assembly, packaging, etc.
Since everything is happening under one roof, it reduces costs for you. They’ll handle the difficult parts of the manufacturing process so you as a business owner can have less stress.
Deadlines and Estimates
You’ll know in advance how much to budget for the process. They’ll provide you with a detailed estimate before they begin.
This will make it less likely that you’ll experience delays or unexpected costs. They’ll also be able to tell you how long it should take.
Improved Communication
If you try to have the product manufacturing process internally, you’ll need to contact multiple vendors at all times. Through contract manufacturing, you’ll be able to stay in communication with them. You won’t have to worry about a response.
Who Can Benefit From Manufacturing Contract Companies?
Most businesses can benefit from contract manufacturers. You might decide to use product assembly services in China since it’ll save your business money. Keep in mind that how skilled a manufacturer is will vary.
Some ways they can help include:
- Packaging products
- Manufacturing products manually
- Product assembly
- Creating computer models of products
- And more
When you’re first starting out with a production company, it’s a good idea to test out a contract manufacturer. See how their production process is and if it slows you down. You might find that you’ll have more time to focus on your business and productivity will increase overall.
Understanding the Benefits of a Contract Manufacturer
After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of the benefits of a contract manufacturer. Take your time deciding if it’s right for your business.
Are you ready to speed up the process of manufacturing in your business?
Contact us today! We offer customized manufacturing, including developing new processes, using top-notch equipment, and customizing work procedures.
How To Evaluate A Product Assembly Company In China: 5 Strategies To Success
As the global pandemic is continually spreading, and China insists on the zero-Covid strategy, it’s getting harder for many overseas businesses to find a product assembly company for their products.
Thankfully, you don’t have to go at it alone. Here are five strategies that will help make finding the right assembly partner much easier.
Experience
Experience is an important factor to consider when reaching out to an assembly supplier.
Nearly all of the assembly suppliers claim that they have relevant experience in dealing with any type of product so you have the confidence to work with them. But remember, some assembly companies are better at certain types of products than others. It’s better for you to partner with those who specialize in your product.
In this case, you should be careful to identify if they are telling truth. Try to clarify the questions below:
- When did the assembly plant start?
- How many engineers do you have?
- What are the processes to assemble my product?
- Have you worked on a similar project before? What was it like?
- Have you worked with an overseas business?
By answering these questions, you can figure out if the information provided to you is relevant, up to date, and available in real-time.
Capacity
The second thing you need to do is to assess your potential assembly partner’s capacity.
You don’t want to send your product and money somewhere it will sit on a shelf or in a warehouse waiting to be assembled. To ensure you won’t get stuck with products that aren’t being assembled as fast as they can, make sure you know exactly how much production space your assembly partner has is available.
If you have any concerns about their ability to meet your demand and requirements, ask them directly about their current output rate and deadline.
Don’t risk losing out on profits by making an assembly partner overburdened with your orders—go with someone who knows what they are doing.
Certifications
Not all China product assembly companies are created equally.
No matter how well-established the assembly plant is, there still may be a possibility that they don’t have proper certifications and licenses.
So, if you are concerned whether your product is being produced and assembled in compliance with regulatory standards, ensure your supplier has the relevant business licenses to operate their facility as well as any relevant compliance certifications to manufacture and assemble your product.
Here are some common ISO certifications, including:
- ISO 9001:2015: Quality Management Systems
- ISO 14001:2015: Environmental Management Systems
- ISO 45001:2015: Occupational Health And Safety
- ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
Each product or industry requires different kinds of certifications. So Each product in China requires a different kind of certificates and documents. So, always ask to check the required materials for assembling your product before any order confirmation.
Language Proficiency
One of the biggest headaches for overseas businesses to find an assembly supplier is language.
Consider working with those who have English background and speak English fluently. Although now more and more Chinese people speak English, it’s still possible to lead to misunderstanding certain points.
Therefore, remember the two principles when communicating with Chinese suppliers:
- Open – Though you and your supplier speak the same language, there is a gap in knowledge and logic that leads to misunderstandings. So try to be open and straightforward in your conversation to make both sides on the same page.
- Precise – Precision communication is fundamental to a long-term partnership. Describing your needs and requirements precisely can reduce the workload for both parties.
Services
Assembly service providers have traditionally relied on low-cost to gain a competitive edge.
But times have changed.
Nowadays, the costs of labor and land are no longer as cheap as before. More and more assembly plants are offering tailored service and support so these can be key considerations when partnering with an assembly company.
There are some assembly companies offering one-stop services from quality inspection and testing to warehousing and fulfillment, which release you from finding other services one by one.
About Shield Works
Finding a reliable and professional product assembly partner will help to boost your business by avoiding high-defect rates and unexpected delays.
Shield Work, a leading product assembly service provider in China, is ready to help you assemble your products with our well-established facility. Contact us to discuss your project today.
Electrical Assembly In China: 5 Things You Should Need To Know
If you’re looking to assemble your products in China and want to do it as cost-effectively as possible, then it’s important to find the right assembly partner before you get started. Doing so will help you stay on track and keep your costs low without sacrificing quality or speed of delivery.
However, how do you find the right assembly partner? How can you be sure they have all the equipment they need? What should you pay attention to when interviewing them? Keep reading to learn 5 things that you need to know when finding the right assembly partner in China.
1) Get Ready – What Information Do You Need?
Before you begin your search for a reliable assembly partner, there are a few things you’ll need to prepare.
If you don’t know what kind of electrical assemblies your company needs, you won’t be able to find a viable assembly partner. So, make sure what electronical assembly service you will need for your products.
Typically, there are 5 electronical assembly techniques:
- Wiring
- Wiring harnesses
- Connectors
- Clamps
- Switches
If you know exactly what you want your supplier to do and how much it will cost per piece, then you should have no problem finding a great Chinese assembly supplier.
2) Where Do I Start – How Can I Approach Vendors?
When seeking out an assembly partner in China – something that may seem easy on paper – you’ll face many obstacles along your way.
As you may know, they’re a lot of fraud factories in China. When a factory knows it will be completely shutting down, its owner will take back the case without noticing their foreign clients. Because they know you are far away from them and you can not check their account.
So try to work with those who are searchable online. Click to their websites and social platforms and read about their reviews and case studies.
You can also go to some online forums to ask someone that has worked with a good electronical assembly company for more information.
Before diving into your hunt, there are 5 questions you should ask:
- Wha’s your budget?
- What type of product do you want to be made?
- What material do you want to use?
- How much time do you have before production begins?
- How large of a batch will you need to produce?
3) What to Look for – How Can I Evaluate Vendors?
A good electrical assembly vendor will have an assembly facility that can assemble your items with precision and quality.
However, if a vendor claims that they have a team of professional engineers and skilled workers to charge more, you should be careful with that. Some vendors in China may not even have factories, and they outsource all of their orders.
So, when you evaluate a vendor, it’s better to visit their facility in person. In this case, you will have a better understanding of such elements:
- Physical environment: size, layout, equipment and manufacturing capabilities
- Working condition: workplace safety and mode
- Culture: departments and working hours, certifications
Plant tours are one of the most valuable activities you should do before partnering with a potential assembly vendor, especially if you want to work on large-scale projects with them.
3) Prepare Yourself – Can You Manage the Process?
Before going through with an electronical assembly company, you will have to make sure that you are capable of managing your supplier.
What does that mean?
If you are a business owner and you are not familiar with all aspects of electrical assembly, it will be quite hard for you to learn everything step by step. In this case, it is a good idea to contact a professional agency or experienced consultant who can help guide and educate you on what goes into setting up an electrical assembly operation.
And understanding that there are language barriers when working with your supplier is inevitable since most factory owners do not speak English well. So try to keep your requirements simple to be understood for both sides.
Also, maintaining relationships with your product assembly company is essential in China. Earning your supplier’s trust and involving them in your project from the earliest stages ensure they become a strategic partner, which is vested in the project’s success.
5) What Next – After I’ve Signed an Agreement?
Now that you have compared some potential suppliers and you are about to finalise a perfect one for you, what’s next?
At this stage, you should learn more about the agreement.
If you have an IP right on your product, make sure that your supplier has a non-disclosure agreement to safeguard your trademarks or logos.
Let Shield Works Be Your IP Protective Manufacturing Partner
Our assembly service at Shield Works is a combination of reliability, cost-efficiency, and punctuality.
With our British ownership and management background, we have full capacity to help our overseas clients to assemble their products without IP rights risks.
Our product assembly team is so skilled and experienced that we can guarantee 100% satisfaction. Contact us to discuss your project today.
How to Choose the Right OEM Manufacturers in China
Do you have a new product that you want to sell for your company, but you are unsure what type of manufacturer to use? Have you decided to use a manufacturer in China, but you aren’t sure what type of manufacturers are available? Most people don’t know that there are OEM manufacturers in China in addition to ODM manufacturers.
So what is the difference between the two? We will give you a hint; one provides more protection and more specification help than the other. They are both excellent options to bring your products to the market, but you should be aware of a few other key differences. This brief manufacturing guide will cover the difference between the two and who you can contact for more information.
What is OEM Manufacturing?
Before we get into what OEM Manufacturing is, we must first define what OEM is. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturing, and it is a form of outsourced manufacturing. OEM factories have the capabilities to manufacture products according to your unique specifications and designs.
Before an OEM manufacturer can produce your product, you must complete your research and development. This includes engineering, market research, and design.
Once you have all the components of your product down in writing, you can then reach out to an OEM manufacturer to create your products in bulk. The original equipment manufacturer will set up the production of your product to make sure that they can produce the product on time, on quality, at your designated budget.
Advantages of OEM Manufacturing
One of the most significant advantages of OEM is the fact that you have complete control over your intellectual property. This is a huge deal, especially if you have a breakthrough project and you choose to ship your production services overseas.
When you control the research and development of your product, you have complete control over your intellectual property. This gives you better bargaining position and makes it easier to switch to another supplier if you need to. Even though you have full control of your intellectual property, it is best to protect it at all costs.
Specialized Technology
If you don’t have the right expertise or equipment to create certain parts of your product, you can depend on your OEM to have it for you. It is best to take advantage of the technology offered by your OEM manufacturer to complete your project. Access to this type of technology and expertise ensures that the manufacturer will create your product with top-tier quality.
Cost-Effective
When you partner with OEM manufacturers in China, they can streamline the process of creating your product in large volumes. China is also well known for its efficient supply chains, making it cheaper to produce your product. This provides your business with higher profit margins, more revenue, and increased sales.
Disadvantages of OEM Manufacturing
One main disadvantage of using OEM manufacturing is a limited selection of suppliers for certain specialized items. Most OEM manufacturing companies prefer to work with businesses that create a lot of demand, so if you don’t sell your goods fast, they most likely won’t work with you.
Risk of Infringement
Because you are sending your items to a company to create your product, there is a risk of infringement. It is important to note that every country has its own rules and regulations for intellectual property. If you aren’t diligent in protecting your product, you risk someone selling your components to your top competitors.
No Troubleshooting
Once you have your specifications down and send it over to the manufacturer, they will create your product based on what you send. This means that they won’t troubleshoot or correct any faulty designs as they produce your items. They will only manufacture based on what they have from you.
What is ODM?
Original Design Manufacturing, also known as ODM, is another form of manufacturing. Unlike OEMs, ODMs provide product development services, and depending on the company; they can help you with the entire product lifecycle. The exact scope of what an original design manufacturing company can do differs from company to company.
Let’s say that your company has an excellent idea for a gaming console. You did your market research and found an opportunity to create a low-priced gaming console of decent quality in China.
You and your team will need to develop some features you want the console to have, but you don’t necessarily have any specifications or technical drawings. If you want a gaming system that meets your requirements, you can reach out to an ODM to fulfill what you need.
Your ODM company can help you create specifications and new designs based on your idea. The ODM may already have its own product lines that you can customize if you would like.
Advantages of ODM
One significant advantage of using original design manufacturing companies is that you don’t have to make substantial upfront investments. You won’t have to pay for any tooling; the ODM will take care of that.
Technical Resources
With an ODM, you don’t need technical resources that provide detailed specifications and designs. Instead, the ODM will handle all of that for you. Many Amazon FBA sellers prefer to use ODMs to create and sell their products quickly.
Quick Turnaround
ODM companies don’t worry about testing, developing, or researching a product. They usually have already created products that they can rebrand for your business. To ensure you don’t run into issues with another company claiming that you copied their idea, the ODM will handle making sure the product uniquely links to your company.
Least Expensive Manufacturing Route
Testing and designing a product takes a lot of time and requires a decent amount of capital. When you partner with an ODM manufacturer, you have the opportunity to save money while you focus on the core aspect of your business.
Reliable Products
Depending on your product, certification is typically required before your product can hit the market. To ensure that your product meets quality requirements, ODM manufacturers will handle all quality testing and inspections. They will also get the proper product certificates you need before selling your product.
Disadvantages of ODM
Although these manufacturers provide you with a quick and easy way to create a product for your business, working with them can make it harder to stand out from the competition. Your manufacturer will sell the exact product you create to other companies with minor alterations.
Even if you manage to make significant sales volumes, your ODM most likely won’t honor your changes if your customers request customizations or upgrades. Most manufacturers don’t develop new products, especially if a specific product requires a full or a partial redesign.
No Intellectual Property Rights
Because your manufacturer designed, tested, and developed these products, they own the item’s intellectual properties. This means that you have no control over the ODM’s legal decisions about the product.
You also have no control over who the supplier sells the item to. There is a chance they could sell your product to another competitor.
There is also a chance that the item you buy from your ODM could be another company’s intellectual property. If you are unaware of this and you sell your product on the market, you’re at a risk of facing a lawsuit.
How to Find an OEM or ODM Manufacturer in China
Choosing an OEM manufacturer in China can be an overwhelming experience. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of manufacturers in China who can help bring your product to life.
The best way to find the proper manufacturer for you is to look up some and make a list of those you like best. There are certain companies that have high-quality components, quick turnarounds, and high customer service ratings.
Shortlist Your Companies
Once you have a list of companies you may want to work with, it would be best to shortlist them. Look over each company’s length of time in business and see if they specialize in the component you need.
Other essential details to look over:
- Certifications the company has for their production capability
- Business licenses
- If the company has already exported products to the United States
- Their minimum order quantity (MOQ)
If you like a company but have questions about its qualifications, check out its reviews. Most previous clients will rate the company and put what they did or did not like about them. The best way to find out if they have what you need is to contact them.
Review Their Credentials
Even if a company tells you that they have the right qualifications, it is better to verify those credentials to ensure that they are actually a legitimate company and not a middleman. There are many ways to verify this information.
For one, you can ask the company for their audited accounts, ask for product samples, or you can check their Value Added Tax Invoice. You can also ask for the Chinese name of the factory, the location of the factory, and the local government office assigned to the factory. The government office should have a copy of the factory’s registration and license records which you can use to verify their details.
Workplace Rights
Unlike the United States, there are many countries that do not have protocols in place to protect their workers. This means that some workers may not receive adequate breaks or time to get food. Some of these people work for more than eight to twelve hours a day without reasonable pay.
When sourcing the proper manufacturer for your company, make sure that you work with an ethical company. The last thing you want to do is partner with a company that does not care about its employees. Don’t spare efforts on researching their track records.
Hiring a Sourcing Agent
The most significant advantage of hiring a sourcing agent is that they can verify and identify different manufacturers on your behalf. These people have extensive networks of partners and in-depth knowledge of the sourcing market.
There are many companies that have sourcing agents on staff who can serve as the liaison between you and their manufacturer. They are able to speak to you in your native language while being able to translate for their company.
Visit the Manufacturers
If you aren’t able to visit the manufacturers yourself, you can use a sourcing agent to do that on your behalf. If you can take a trip out to China, you should go to check out the different available manufacturers.
When you go in person, you can see the facility first-hand and meet with key personnel at the manufacturing facility. While you are there, you can better explain the specifications of your product and if they can handle that for you. Visiting in person also lets the manufacturer know that you are serious about working with them to create your product.
Build Your Product With Confidence
There are many different ODM and OEM manufacturers in China that can bring your ideas to life, but which of the two is the better option for you? Choosing the proper manufacturer for your business needs shouldn’t be a complicated process, and that is what we are here for.
If you need help deciding between the two or if you are set on working with an OEM manufacturer in China, contact us now. Our team is fully prepared to answer any questions or concerns you have about our process!
Manufacturing In China: How To Protect Your Intellectual Property?
It is not surprising that China has developed to become a major manufacturing superpower and more and more overseas companies have moved their production to China. However, some of them are having issues with IP protection while manufacturing in China.
If you are planning to manufacture your products in China, make sure you do everything possible to protect your intellectual property rights. Read on to learn more about the strategies you can use to avoid patent infringement issues in the Chinese market.
What Is IP?
Before you outsource your production to China, it is important to understand what happens to your intellectual property rights (IPR) once you outsource to a Chinese manufacturer.
Intellectual property is a broad term that can include anything from a new fashion trend to a specific software algorithm to an entirely new product design.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) makes a definition of IP as “creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce.”
No matter what type of intellectual property you have, there are some things you should know before starting manufacturing in China to ensure your intellectual property rights are protected.
Each Country Has Its IP Laws
Whether you are a small business or a large corporation, you have to consider how you’ll protect your intellectual property.
The first thing you should do is have a basic understanding of Chinese IP laws.
For example, patents for inventions can be protected for up to 20 years in China. Also, China protects utility models (for up to 10 years) and design patents (for up to 15 years). Utility models are sometimes called “mini-patents” and require a lower level of inventiveness. Design patents protect the look of products.
All patent rights in China are subject to the payment of annual fees after they’ve been granted.
The National IPR Organizations You Should Know In China
In China, the government plays a substantial role in promoting and protecting intellectual property rights (IPRs).
Several governmental departments are responsible for IPRs matters. Keep in mind the differences and functions of these organizations.
China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA)
China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) was formerly known as the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO). It was renamed in 1980.
The department is responsible for the patent work and comprehensively coordinating the foreign-related affairs in the field of intellectual property throughout the country.
If you want your patent registered in China, make sure you check these common questions that you will need to know:
Trademark Office of China National Intellectual Property Administration
When it comes to handling matters of trademark disputes, you should reach the Trademark Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration.
It’s responsible for the registration and administration of trademarks throughout the country.
However, the website does not provide an English option, so it would be hard for foreigners to research and apply for a trademark online. Therefore, you can click on the CNIPA website to search for trademark-related information. Or you may go to the local trademark office to make an enquiry in person.
National Copyright Administration of the People’s Republic of China (NCAC)
If you want any copyright information, the National Copyright Administration of the People’s Republic of China website is a good option for you.
It accepts and examines copyrights applications in accordance with the law.
Keep in mind to check the copyright regulations and laws in China before you register your copyright.
IP Protection Agreement
When partnering with a manufacturing company, make sure you have a well-drafted and properly executed manufacturing agreement that will help you protect your IP, and provide you with relief if the manufacturer breaches the agreement.
The IP agreement should list all relevant details, including IP ownership, confidentiality, non-competition and non-circumvention and more.
Let Shield Works Be Your IP Protective Manufacturing Partner
With our British ownership background, we know how to help our overseas clients to protect their IPs without excessive costs and time.
Shield Works partners with Innopat a leading Zhuhai based IP industry expert to provide you with clear no-nonsense advice and IP protection services.
Our IP protective system safeguards your production line in our innovative facility.
We are ready to accommodate your needs. Contact us today.
What’s Included In a Product Assembly Service?
Are you a startup or an already established company debating if you need to use an assembly service to meet your client’s demands? Have you thought about working with an overseas company, but you aren’t sure what to expect?
There are many different vendors that you could use who are local to you. Do they have the right materials you need to meet the demands of your clients? Like you, many product-focused companies and entrepreneurs take advantage of using oversea companies to meet their needs.
If you are in the looking stage of comparing product assembly services and you need more information on finding the right distribution company, you came to the right place. In this brief product assembly service guide, we will cover how to find the right manufacturer and who you can contact for more information.
What Are Product Assembly Services?
Product assembly services or product assembly companies create your product, and they ship them either to you or your customers. Doing this process on your own can quickly become expensive. It is best to partner with a reputable assembly service company to save you more time and money.
Product Assembly Services in China
The best way to save time and money is to outsource your product assembly tasks to a third-party company to build your items. Many companies outsource their work to China because of the cost-saving benefit. A company saves a large percentage in production and distribution costs when they partner with a reputable assembly service company.
Choosing the Right Product Assembly Company
When choosing the right product assembly company, make sure that you look for a company with certified professionals. High-quality 3rd party assembly companies typically have favorable testimonials from the past experience, which consistently demonstrate their ability to provide products that meet client requirements.
Review Their Expertise
Even if a company’s professionals have the required certifications, you should check out their previous work. As you compare different companies that offer assembly and inspection services, ask about their internal quality control process and methodology.
Does your inspector use statistical models? Does this company use random sampling?
Are all your assemblers certified quality assurance inspectors? Don’t be afraid to ask your distribution company questions about their process and timelines.
Look at Other Reviews
When speaking to a prospective company, it would be best to look at their reviews. You can use third-party review websites to see what clients did or did not like about working with them.
Although reviews are a great place to start, the only way to gauge a company is to call them and speak with them. One company’s expectation requirements will be different than yours, so what you may not like, someone else may have loved.
When speaking with your assembly company see how they respond to your requests. Do they handle requests on time?
Do they have excellent client service? Partnering with a distribution company is a long-lasting relationship, so make sure to work with a company that has top-tier customer service.
Available Assembly Capabilities
Not all assembly companies are the same. Some specialize in product assembly of all kinds, whereas others may only focus on producing products made with a specific material. The most common types of general product assembly use composites, carbon fiber, plastics, metals, and textiles.
Other types of assembly services:
- Prepackaging
- Food packaging
- Product re-assembly
- Assembly testing
- Powder and liquid filling
When comparing different companies, ask if they have the right items and materials to complete the job. You can also ask if they have experience making products like yours.
Intellectual Property Protection
All countries have their own sets of rules and regulations when it comes to privacy and the protection of intellectual property. It is a company’s worst nightmare to have its product specifications compromised after years of development. If your distribution company sends products to your clients, you want to make sure that their data is also safeguarded.
Before you partner with any company, be sure to look into their country’s intellectual property laws and their track record with other clients. If their track record is not good, even in the slightest, you should look elsewhere. There is no margin for error when it comes to protecting the rights of your products.
Software Information
An additional step in securing your intellectual property information is to look into the type of software your distribution company uses. Is their technology well-known for privacy features?
Does it mimic the same safety measures you set for your own business? If they are not willing to share that information with you, they may be hiding something.
Product Timelines
As you start interviewing different companies, you should inquire about their product project timelines. The amount of time it takes them to create and ship your orders can hugely impact how long it takes for you to deliver your product to your clients.
Of course, you want to partner with a company that can produce high-quality items without taking too much time, but you also don’t want to rush the process if they don’t have the capabilities to deliver high-quality items quickly.
When speaking about timelines, don’t just focus on how long it takes for them to create the product. Make sure to ask how they handle natural disaster situations and other weather-related delays. When these types of moments happen, you also will want to have a primary point of contact to reach out to for the next steps.
Product Assembly Process
The first step of the assembly process is to find the right company. Once you find them, you will want to send in a request. The right company will suggest scheduling time to speak with you about your product over the phone. This way, they can gauge what type of materials they will need, how much they will need, and more to make sure your product comes out just as you need it.
During the first few stages, you and the company should clearly understand what to expect of the product. You should receive a rendering of your product and a physical model in your hands before you ok the rest of production. Each company has its own processes, so make sure that you are aware of all steps during their production process.
Advantages of Oversea Manufacturing
As mentioned earlier, many companies like to outsource their products to cut down on their costs. Another major reason is because of a particular concentration.
For example, many corporations use China for their production needs because of their concentration on electronic products. They are also well known for creating plastic products and other mainstream items like clothes.
High-Volume Capabilities
One of the most significant advantages of partnering with a manufacturing company overseas is their production capacity. Most manufacturing companies can produce huge quantities of your items within a short time frame.
Depending on your production needs and your manufacturer, they may offer you a discount for ordering large volumes of product. When working with certain companies, they may have a minimum purchase order requirement. This helps keeps control costs on both ends. If you need a small order, you can expect high fees and costs.
Skills and Talent
The skill level in other countries is much higher than in the United States, mainly because many Americans don’t work in manufacturing jobs. This creates a skill gap in the US, forcing many companies to seek help overseas.
The most significant need in the United States is for those with computer and digital skills, technical knowledge, and programming expertise. All of these skills are easily found overseas in major manufacturing companies.
Close Proximity to Raw Materials
United States factories have to source their materials from overseas, increasing their costs and time-to-market deadlines. Many manufacturers in China have access to these raw materials already at their plants.
If they don’t, they know someone or some company that has what they need. They also most likely have a relationship or some partnership with those companies.
If you manufacture your product in the United States, you will face delays if your product requires raw materials. Countries that ship to the United States may have to charge you higher shipping costs, and you may experience long wait times due to the impact of COVID. Instead of having them ship you the materials, you can cut costs by having your manufacturer produce the product on your behalf.
Disadvantages of Oversea Manufacturing
Although there are many fantastic advantages to outsourcing, you should keep a few disadvantages in mind. For example, the components and cost of production are usually cheaper, but the shipping costs may not be ideal. If you find that the shipping costs are too much, you can always negotiate better shipping rates, especially if you plan on working with that company long-term.
Longer Lead Times
Even though creating and producing large quantities overseas is cheaper, the lead time can be longer than expected. What this means is that it takes time for your goods to make their way from overseas into the United States. When calculating the time it will reach you; you must consider shipping times, country holidays, and the manufacturer’s demands.
Possible Language Barriers
When working with a manufacturer overseas, you will most likely run into cultural and language barriers. This can cause issues when you try to understand workflows and negotiate pricing and contracts.
You may also need to learn about their culture and what they do and do not value. To make it easier to work with your manufacturer, you may want to partner with a company with a local resident familiar with your language and the language of your manufacturer. This liaison person can speak on your behalf to protect your best interest.
Safety Risks
Environmental and worker safety should always be a top concern for you and your business. Not every country values the environment or employee safety. Hence, it is best to partner with a company that follows good labor practices, takes care of the environment, and implements safety programs.
Local vs. Overseas
When trying to figure out where to manufacture your product, you can choose between using someone overseas or a local company. When you partner with a company local to you, you may have an easier time communicating your needs in your own language. You can also save on expensive custom and shipping fees and have a shorter delivery time.
That may sound ideal, but you may have a limited array of supplier capabilities. Not every manufacturer in the United States has the talent, skills, expertise, or raw material you need to create your product.
If you have a hard time sourcing a manufacturer local to you, you may have to reach out to a reputable company overseas. Of course, before you partner with any company, make sure you communicate with them to gauge if they can meet your demands.
Cut Down Production Costs Now
No matter how great your idea is, you need to have a reputable and high-rated manufacturing company on your side to bring your vision to life. These companies have the skills, experience, capacity, and raw materials to help you meet the demands of your customers.
Making sure that you and your distribution company are on the same page is crucial. The last thing you want, as a business owner, is for the entire operation to fall apart and for you not to be able to hit your quota because of your assembly service.
Contact us now if you are ready to bring your idea to fruition and want to work with a company that values quality and a safe working environment!
3 Tips For Finding The Right Custom Manufacturing Partner In China
When you need to source custom manufacturing services, it can be hard to know where to start.
Finding the right custom manufacturing partner can be challenging.
There are many companies out there with the capabilities to manufacture your product, but finding the right one can be difficult and time-consuming without some guidance.
Thankfully, you don’t have to go at it alone. Here are three tips that will help make finding the right partner much easier.
Tip #1 – Know What You Want
Start by listing your needs and expectations before choosing a custom manufacturer in China.
- What’s your budget?
- Do you have a strict deadline?
- Are your product materials hard to obtain?
- Will you need samples before production begins?
All of these details can help narrow down your list of potential partners.
Finding a company that already has experience with similar projects can make sure that production goes as smoothly as possible since they’ll be familiar with what it takes to meet all your needs and deadlines.
Tip #2 – Understand Your Suppliers
Another thing to take into consideration when you’re looking for a custom manufacturer is to do your research.
Find people who have successfully worked with a company that provides custom manufacturing services.
If someone has had a good experience, you can use them as a reference to find other companies that provide similar services in case their recommendation didn’t work out so well.
Also, you can compile a comparison list of potential options.
After you list all the key factors you need to know beforehand, you’ll be ready to begin contacting them directly.
Tip #3 – Choose A Custom Manufacturer That Fits Into Your Supply Chain
Choosing a custom manufacturer requires an understanding of how they fit into your supply chain.
If you are looking to get started with rapid prototyping, then your supplier must have access to both traditional and 3D printing equipment.
This will allow them to offer you a full range of services including design iteration and custom parts made from advanced materials.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for custom injection molding services, you need a manufacturer that can handle creating tooling and assembling large quantities of products efficiently.
Remember: your final product will only be as good as your supplier’s capabilities!
Let Shield Works Be Your Custom Manufacturing Partner
If you need to customize your product, Shield Works can be your best partner in China.
We are a British owned and managed company providing customized OEM manufacturing and assembly activities.
Your product will be manufactured in one of our state-of-the-art facilities. We are prepared to accommodate your needs; from bulk production through final product finishing. Contact us today.
IP Protection in China: 7 Steps to Take to Protect Your Intellectual Property
You’ve come up with a great idea for a product or a service, and you’re sure it’ll make a big splash in the market. You spend a lot of time developing it and are ready to unveil it only to discover that someone has beaten you to the punch. Unless you’ve invested in some kind of IP protection, there isn’t much you can do in response.
IP protection in China takes many forms, such as patenting or trademarking your property. The main reason to do so is to prevent other people from using your branding or claiming your product as their own.
Here are seven steps you can take to protect intellectual property in China and prevent idea theft.
1. Assess Risks vs Benefits
The very first step is to understand IP laws in China and assess your overall risk. For example, the Copyright Law of China considers the publication of a copyright owner’s work without permission as infringement. Authorities may impose fines and confiscate any illegal income as a result.
If you intend to do business in China, only transfer over IPs that are absolutely required. Retain newer designs and prototypes in your origin country to minimize the risk of theft.
Hire a qualified IP lawyer to review the terms and conditions of anything you license. Try to negotiate favorable royalty rates and retain ownership of any improvements made in the country.
2. Register Your IP in China
There is no such thing as an international copyright option for your intellectual property. If you’ve invested in copyright inside the United States, then it’s only good inside the United States. As such, those looking to move their IPs into China will need to register them there.
Without a trademark in China, there is little your company can do to prevent counterfeiting. Luckily, there is such thing as an international trademark you can apply for. However, a particular country will have to agree to register it after you apply through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Keep in mind that trademarks must be used exactly in the way that you registered them. That means using the same logo and text as it was registered.
3. Use a Contract Manufacturer
Utilizing product assembly in China can reduce costs, improve your time to market, and increase overall customer satisfaction. However, you have to be careful who you choose to do your manufacturing.
A contract manufacturer doesn’t do the design of your products. They get the design files, validate them, and do the manufacturing. There’s little risk of them taking your ideas and running with them.
Meanwhile, a manufacturer who is in the same business as your company should be considered a competitor and treated as such. Don’t give them anything they can use for their own profit.
4. Sign an NDA
An additional measure you can take when dealing with a manufacturer is to have them sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). An NDA is a binding contract that prevents the sharing of certain information with other parties. It also helps to distinguish what can be shared so the manufacturer can work more freely within the set boundaries.
Since an NDA is a civil contract, it doesn’t violate the law as with copyright and trademark violations. However, it does open up the other party to lawsuits from their employer and risks financial damage. As such, an NDA is an important method of intellectual property protection.
5. Identify and Categorize Your IP Assets
Moving your business into China doesn’t mean you need to register every single one of your intellectual properties. If you’re not using them, then it’ll only be a waste of time and money.
Identify your IP assets and categorize them according to the level of risk and value. Provide sufficient protection within your company and task your management team with protecting your company’s IP. Limit employee access to those who absolutely need it.
Two of the most important assets to protect are your designs and any trade secrets. If your product has a unique visual appearance, you can register the design. Trade secrets are protected throughout the use of NDAs or other written agreements.
6. Engage in Business Carefully
Even if you’ve obtained copyright, trademarked your product, and had your manufacturer sign an NDA, you still need to tread carefully. All suppliers, vendors, distributors, and so on are potential competitors.
It may be more convenient to have all your processes done under the same roof, but it also means giving them more power over your end product.
Design your manufacturing process to protect your IP. For example, you can manufacture all the different components at separate OEMs and assemble them back home at a trusted facility.
If you have a facility in China, do not allow visitors to record or document anything they see or hear.
7. Monitor for Infringement
There’s no point in having IP protection in China if you don’t keep an eye out for instances of infringement. Monitoring an IP overseas can prove challenging, especially if your company operates from the United States.
One way to monitor for trademark infringement is with an online search. Not only should you keep an eye out for anything similar to your trademark, but you can also find anything that may be confused for it. Google allows you to search for similar images, as well.
While you’re there, set up a Google alert for your trademark. Once done, you’ll get email notification reports whenever a new search result pops up using your trademark.
IP Protection in China Made Simple
Protecting your company’s intellectual properties is an important part of running a business in any country. IP protection in China is no different. Even if you’re only manufacturing certain products overseas, IP theft can cost your company a significant amount of time and money.
If you need a manufacturing company you can trust in the area, look no further. Shield Works is British-owned and managed in the heart of Zhuhai city. Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help your business.
Supply Chain Networks: Why Does Manufacturing in China Still Work?
Whether you’re outsourcing your production to China or not, there is no denying that manufacturing in China is one of the best options for many overseas companies.
China has maintained its position as the world’s largest manufacturing hub for the past 12 consecutive years.
There are many reasons why manufacturing in China still works.
Let’s dig a little deeper into why.
Does China Still Have Cost Advantages?
In the past decades, we have witnessed the rapid growth of China’s development. Most believed that it was the cost advantage and human resources that made China succeed.
Maybe it was, but things have changed.
Nowadays, China’s average labor costs aren’t low compared to many southeast Asian nations, such as Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. The wages of skilled workers and high-teach talents grow fairly fast. Also, the average land prices are rapidly rising.
Therefore, there are many concerns that overseas companies tend to move their production to lower-cost countries since labor costs and land prices are getting higher in China.
However, it’s reported that foreign direct investment (FDI) topped 1 trillion RMB in 2021. It’s pretty clear that the comprehensive strength of China as a manufacturing superpower shouldn’t be neglected.
The answer is that China’s supply chain system is far more advanced than any other in the world.
Products Sold Worldwide Are Manufactured In China
You may have heard that in China, there are some small cities or even small towns
that are inconspicuous making world-class manufacturing contributions.
For example, Huludao, a coastal city in the Northeast China’s Liaoning province, is producing 25% of swimsuits in the global market. Since 2011, Huludao has been hosting an international beach-swimwear culture expo to expand its businesses and brands internationally.
In Yucheng County, located in Henan Province, more than 1,200 measuring tape making companies whose combined annual output exceeds 1.5 billion steel measuring tapes, accounting for 85% in China and 60% around the world.
So, you may wonder how such industries without high technology or difficult designs find their business opportunities.
By relying on China’s supply chain system, manufacturing in China will be more efficient, helping many businesses from home and abroad are able to gain their footholds.
The Problem Between Efficiency & Flexibility
Simply put, imagine that you want to outsource your production to a factory in China, there is no doubt that you will choose a high-efficiency factory to work with.
But keep in mind that only by being more specialized can a factory improve efficiency. In this case, it’s not hard to imagine this factory will be locked in certain product lines.
In this case, if you want something to be changed quickly, this factory will not be able to satisfy your needs and maybe you will turn to someone new. So, you also want the factory to be flexible. But flexibility is an obstacle to becoming a specialization.
Now you can see that keeping high efficiency and flexibility may not be compatible at the same time in a normal factory.
How Do Supply Chain Networks Work?
However, things will be much different if there is a powerful supply chain network.
Now there are tons of small and medium businesses (aka SMBs) that are ready to produce only some basic parts. And these SEBs are specialized in their field. Only in this way can these factories improve their efficiency without sacrificing much time and resources. Each SMB produces the basic elements, and every part can be easily assembled in another factory.
Then, all the SMBs get connected to be a wide supply chain network, solving the flexibility problem. In the end, these SMBs in the towns or the cities make themselves the certain type of manufacturing clusters.
It’s like Lego construction. Different factories produce different specific shapes of blocks with high efficiency. When you need some certain shape of blocks, you can purchase whatever you need and get them assembled, building your products.
The supply chain network connects businesses, making it easier for you to gather information and build your enterprise.
More importantly, the whole network nurtures an ability to control costs, which makes it hard for lower labor costs and land prices hard to contend with.
Let Shield Works Be Your Custom Manufacturing Partner
If are moving your production to China and looking for a reliable manufacturing partner, look no further. We are glad to help.
Shield Works is a British owned and managed company providing customized OEM manufacturing and assembly activities. Contact us to discuss your project today.
How to Guarantee an Optimal Product with Quality Inspection in China
There is a reason that so many of the products that we enjoyed say “made in China” on them. China has recently been exporting about $2.5 trillion worth of goods and services every year! That is almost one-fifth of their entire economy!
Some people think of Chinese goods as being of low quality. Of course, with a country as large as China, the truth is that you can find both poor quality and extremely high-quality goods coming out of Chinese manufacturing.
The important thing is to make sure that you know how to find quality goods when you buy from China. That is why it is so important that you know how to ensure that you enjoy a quality inspection in China. Read on to learn all about the most important things to do to make sure that you enjoy successful quality inspections of your Chinese goods!
Find Someone to Help You Assess Product Quality
One of the most important things you need to understand is the difference between quality control and quality assurance. Quality control is all about inspecting the finished product. No matter how good the production process is, that does not mean anything if a simple examination of the end product shows that it suffers from serious flaws.
On the other hand, not all flaws show up on immediate examination. That is what quality insurance is for. Quality assurance is about examining the manufacturing process.
You are going to want to find experts to help you with both. When it comes to quality control, you want to make sure that you find somebody who is familiar with Chinese goods.
Some people are experts in assessing product quality for products that are manufactured in America or Europe. However, not all of the expertise that applies to goods from those locations will apply to goods manufactured in China.
On top of that, the person that helps you assess product quality for your Chinese goods will need to be able to understand the workers and leaders at the manufacturing company. In general, it is best to work with Chinese companies that will employ native Chinese experts with a deep understanding of Chinese manufacturing.
Understand Different Levels of Quality
It is also important that you find someone to help you with product quality who can help you understand what quality you should be looking for. Some goods need to be absolutely pristine. Even minor flaws disqualify them from distribution.
In contrast, there are a number of goods that are acceptable as long as they suffer from only minor or cosmetic defects. Lastly, there are even some products that are worth something even if they have significant defects as long as those flaws do not keep them from performing their basic function.
Make sure to work with a China inspection expert in product quality who can track the differences between these levels of quality. That way, they can help you strategize about how to manage them.
Find Inspection Agencies to Help You With Quality Assurance
As we have discussed, not all flaws in a product are detectable just by examining it. Sometimes, flaws don’t manifest until you use a product a handful of times. Then, it suddenly stops working.
You can detect a whole different range of flaws by examining the production process rather than the products themselves. That is what quality assurance is all about.
This part of ensuring that you have high-quality goods benefits even more from working with inspection agencies that really understand China. You are going to need someone who can go into the manufacturing sites and examine the production process. They will also need to be able to intimately understand company leaders and the employees who run the production process.
They will also need to be familiar with Chinese manufacturing processes. All of these are reasons to work with a Chinese quality inspection company.
Make Sure People Follow Correct Product Inspection Processes
During the product inspection process, make sure that your inspectors confirm that the products are being made according to your specifications. That includes things like being the correct size, color, having the correct packaging, and so on.
Throughout the entire product inspection process, it is important that your agent check many different products rather than just one. The exact quality verification process will vary depending on the nature of the product.
Here, it is again helpful to work with qualified professionals who already know what they are doing. They will know which verification processes to use for which products.
Make Sure Your Suppliers in China Use Quality Shipping
It is not enough that the quality of goods is high at the point of production. They can still potentially suffer serious problems with quality. The shipping process must also be of high quality.
You might have a great manufacturing company that produces pristine televisions. But the shipping process might riddle them with cracks.
As a result, you will also need an expert who can assess the shipping process. Of course, it is not always possible to guarantee that goods will not suffer any damage during shipping. But at the very least, you can confirm that the process for shipping does not systematically create flaws.
Enjoy the Benefits of Quality Inspection in China
We hope learning about how to ensure a quality inspection in China has been helpful for you. Working with manufacturing in China comes with a huge list of benefits as long as you can avoid the disadvantages that sometimes come along with it. The right quality inspection services in China can solve this problem and help you enjoy efficient manufacturing.
To learn more about how to make sure you get only the highest quality of goods from Chinese manufacturing companies or to speak with experts in quality inspection of Chinese goods and processes, feel free to reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!