Posts Tagged ‘Product Assembly’
5 Things about Outsourced Product Assembly You Can’t Afford To Miss
If you’re looking for ways to save time and money, outsourcing your product assembly could be one way to do that without compromising your overall quality. Here are some things you can’t afford to miss if you’re considering this option. These tips apply whether you’re looking at outsourcing on a small or large scale; the only difference will be in the amount of detail each section of your post needs. With that in mind, here are the five things you can’t afford to miss if you’re planning to outsource product assembly.
First off, What Is Outsourced Product Assembly?
What is outsourced product assembly? How does it differ from in-house assembly?
When a business outsources assembly, it hires a third-party company to make the items it uses or sells in part or in full, depending on the relationship established between the two parties.
Whenever you consider outsourcing your product construction, think about the items that you would like to have made, then find businesses that can build them, and then talk to them about forming a relationship.
It’s important to know exactly what you want a third party to do for you before you begin outsourcing.
It Lowers Your Costs
Doesn’t it make more sense for companies to produce everything themselves rather than outsource it?
The cost of running a business increases when a company creates its own products. It can especially hurt small companies, since they may lack the funds to hire many workers.
Your production costs can be reduced by partnering with another company. When you do this, the other company will provide and employ the workers for you. Thus, you do not need to pay salaries or hire new employees.
Other companies are usually based overseas, such as in China. China’s manufacturing costs are cheaper than in other developed nations, so you will not have to spend as much on your final product. As a result, you are able to cultivate productive and positive business relationships with professionals abroad!
You Can’t Just Work with Any Product Assembly Company
Just as with any business partnership, you want to make sure you find the right manufacturing company for your specific requirements.
Make a list of all the materials and items your product requires. Does the company have them?
Also, ask them if they have worked with any companies similar to yours in the past.
Furthermore, you should pay attention to how friendly and professional the company’s workers are. In order to be productive for as long as possible, you should look for a company with great client service.
If their customer service is not up to par, then it will be difficult for them to get things done efficiently.
In addition, you need to know what type of warranty is offered by the manufacturer so that when problems arise, it can quickly be resolved without too much stress on your end.
Furthermore, price is also important when choosing a product assembly company.
Timeline Is Important
When you first talk to a company, ask them how long it takes them to produce and ship items. This will affect how quickly you can deliver materials to your clients. Therefore, you should find a company that makes high-quality items quickly.
You should discuss what happens when unforeseen circumstances occur. Natural disasters, for example, might cause the company’s ability to deliver your product to you to be interrupted. In times of emergency, you should know what measures the company takes to keep its production running smoothly.
If an urgent situation arises, ask who you should contact. This will give you a person to go to, instead of wasting time looking up who to contact.
The last thing you want is to miss deadlines because of miscommunication. Lastly, make sure that both parties have contingency plans in place in case any problems arise.
Make Sure They Have Everything It Needs to Protect Your IP
Copyright is different depending on which country you are in, so a company should do what it can to ensure that its intellectual property is safeguarded.
That’s why you should research the intellectual property laws of the country in which your products will be made. If they do not protect the rights of other companies, consider making your products elsewhere.
As a bonus, you might also be able to use this to assess the company’s technological competency in keeping your data safe. Do they use leading-edge, state-of-the-art software? Is it comparable to the security you take at your place of business? Do they make regular security checks and upgrades?
A leak of your intellectual property can result in serious, business-damaging losses such as intellectual property piracy and lost data. If you’re trying to keep your company safe, think about the level of security that others have.
When you find a potential supplier that meets these standards, take things a step further. Ask them how they will keep your data and IP safe. Do they have a physical security system? Will they test regularly to make sure everything is working as it should be? If so, then you can work with them more confidently.
Also, you can take precautions on your end. Always have NDAs prepared for your supplier to sign before giving out any sensitive information; register trademarks and patents to prevent copycats and protect your brand; if you source parts or components from multiple suppliers, assemble them at one secure location;
Ready to Outsource Your Product Manufacturing?
In light of this, have you given thought to outsource assembly process?
Outsourcing production may help a company get their goods faster and more cheaply than trying to produce everything on-site. Further, they are freed to focus on innovation and growth of their company.
Here at Shield Works, we manufacture goods. Located in China and British-owned and managed, our goal is to provide clients with high-quality items at affordable prices. If you would like to know more about what we can offer, please get in contact with us!
5 Quality Control Practices for Product Assembly in China
Product assembly. In China, this is a huge industry that results in doing business with countries around the world.
China is known to be a leader when it comes to manufacturing. Why is this?
Because over the last few years, they have accounted for 28% of global manufacturing output. To put that in perspective, the country in second place on that list (the United States) is more than 10 percentage points behind.
Since product assembly in China is such a global business, companies need to make sure that the process is smooth and that the products getting shipped remained undamaged.
How do they do that? What do you need to know about manufacturing before getting involved with this industry?
These are five practices that you need to know about China product assembly.
1. Ensuring Good Communication
The first thing that you need to do when it comes to quality control is to make sure that there is good communication. Having this locked down can do a lot of good for your company.
One benefit is that everyone is on the same page, and everyone should know what the overall goal is and what they have to do to achieve it. This gets everyone to work as a team rather than having individuals confused and frustrated about what is being done.
Do you want to know just how important good communication is? This study reveals that 86% of employees and executives note a lack of good communication as the cause of failures in the workplace.
What does this mean? It means that communication should be the number one priority when it comes to quality control. If you are the leader or know the leader of your company, you need to make sure that you or they are doing a good job of establishing clear communication.
2. Knowing Your Target Country’s Quality Standards
The next thing that you need to keep in mind with product assembly is knowing your target country’s standards. This is important because, let’s be honest; the quality standards in China may not be universal.
With that in mind, if you are going to primarily do business with one country or a specific group of countries, you better have a good idea of what their expectations are.
You can simply ask them what they expect from you, or you can do additional research on their rules and regulations. Then, see if their quality standards are doable for your company and how much more expensive it is going to be to meet those standards.
From there, you can decide if you want to do a large amount of business with that country.
3. Proper Product Inspection
Before you ship your products out from your factory, it is important to make sure that you properly inspect these products before you send them out to customers.
You never want to have a problem or a defect, but if you do, your in-house team should catch it rather than the customer. If the customer is the one that discovers it, you run the risk of losing that customer’s business.
With that in mind, you need to make sure that the proper inspections are put in place. This includes inspecting a product before it is packaged, checking the packages before and after loading them on their method of transportation and having a system to deal with defective products.
If you have all of that put in place, it should increase your success in quality control.
4. You Get What You Pay For
This old saying is very true when it comes to product assembly in China. The reason why is that the manufacturing in this country is still priced lower than the west.
As a result, some of the products are not made as well as by other manufacturers that follow the proper quality control codes. What this means is that you may be delivering a poorer product to the customer. Sometimes, this is so poor that it does not meet the standards pointed out above.
If you are dealing with countries or customers that require a higher standard, then you are going to have to shell out the money for higher quality manufacturing. It means putting more inspections in place and having better equipment to handle your products.
5. Choose the Right Product Assembly Service
Finally, you need to make sure that you have the right product assembly service by your side if you are not going to do it yourself. Reaching out to professionals can increase the chance of having higher quality products out there for your business and increase the chances of smooth operations.
So, how do you find the right service? Network around the industry and see if you can find out what companies similar businesses had success with.
You can also try to find reviews and testimonials of a company. This can give you insight into experiences that other customers had and see if it is right for you.
Start Your Product Assembly Operation
These are just a few of the things that you need to know about quality control practices when it comes to the product assembly industry. Now, you should have a better idea of what goes into making sure there is a high quality here.
You need the right service by your side, proper product inspections, good communication, knowing your target country, and having the right budget for this.
Are you ready to get started? Message us today and see how we can help you.
Supply Chain Management: The Backbone of Your Business
Supply chain management is the backbone of any company, big or small, that deals in physical goods with substantial production and distribution processes. When you’re starting out your business, supply chain management might seem like an afterthought; you’re more concerned with what goes on inside your company than the goods that come in and out of it. But when you’re ready to scale up, you’ll need a way to manage your goods from their point of origin all the way to where they’re being used—and that’s where supply chain management comes into play.
What Is A Supply Chain?
A supply chain is the network of all suppliers and producers, distributors, warehouses, and end customers involved in producing and delivering a product. Supply chains are found in a variety of industries including automobile manufacturing.
A consumer goods business’s supply chain can be broken down into four main categories: supplier development and management; distribution; operations management; and customer service. These four components work together to ensure that goods are delivered to customers on time while maintaining a high level quality.
Suppliers need to be monitored for quantity, delivery times, and any changes in price or availability. Distribution requires coordination with carriers and transportation services for getting products from point A to point B without any delays or damage. Operations must handle such things as plant floor layout, storage equipment design, assembly line design, production scheduling strategies and inventory levels. Customer service involves managing customer expectations with respect to pricing/costs, lead times and order fulfilment.
An effective supply chain is crucial because it ensures your company has continuous supplies which allows you to stay competitive by meeting your customers’ needs at a low cost while still ensuring profit margins remain healthy enough for long-term success.
Benefits Of Having A Good Supply Chain In Place
A good supply chain will ensure the availability of your products and services to buyers. Having a reliable supply chain in place means you can trust that what is promised is delivered, without worries about product shortages or delivery delays. It also means you can focus on other aspects of your business, such as marketing and customer service, knowing that your supply chain is running smoothly. Good inventory management also saves you money by reducing the amount of time spent managing inventories; it eliminates waste by reducing excess production; and it prevents overbuying or underbuying by estimating demand more accurately.
It also allows you to offer same-day shipping or delivery services, which can greatly improve your customer experience while enhancing your brand image in shoppers’ eyes. Finally, having control of every step of the process from production to distribution gives you peace of mind because you know where your products are at all times.
Problems With A Poorly Planned And Managed Supply Chain
A poorly planned and managed supply chain can lead to a variety of problems. For example, if your supplies are delivered late or in the wrong quantities, it will be difficult for you to keep up with demand and meet customer expectations. This could cause your customers to look elsewhere for products, meaning you’ll lose money. Similarly, if something goes wrong with a shipment – say you ordered 2,000 units but only received 1,500 – then you won’t have enough product on hand to fulfill orders and may have to cancel some orders altogether. This can damage your reputation as well as cause delays in production that hurt your bottom line.
In addition, a poorly planned and managed supply chain can lead to even financial problems. If your supplier ships you faulty products – say they accidentally send you 2,000 units that don’t work properly – then it may be difficult for you to get a refund or replacements. This could force you to halt production as your staff tries to identify and replace all of these faulty units and seek compensation for losses. Worse still, if there’s an issue with your suppliers’ products that leads to serious injuries or health complications for customers, then it may be difficult for you to find a lawyer who will take up your case due to consumer protections laws in many countries. And it’ll be detrimental to your cash flow.
How Can You Effectively Manage An Effective Supply Chain?
There are many factors to consider when it comes to supply chain management, but the most important is having a plan. You should start by writing down all the points that are essential to your business and then create a list of what you need for each point. You can also make use of a system that will help you manage your inventory and keep track of where things are in the process. When it comes to order fulfillment, be sure that you have enough space in your warehouse or storage area to account for the time it will take for customers’ orders to arrive. If you’re not sure how much space you’ll need, speak with a professional who deals with these matters on a daily basis.
Or you can hire a professional supply chain management company. They will work closely with you to establish goals for your organization’s future manufacturing plans as well as strategies that address potential problems like an increase in problems or changes in technology. They also provide recommendations and support for establishing a sustainable supply chain strategy. With their guidance, there’s no doubt about it: You’ll be able to continue running an effective supply chain without wasting money, resources, or time.
Shield Works Can Take Care of It All
Shield Works has over 17 years of experience in managing supply chain, all the way from manufacturing to delivery. We can help you achieve your goals and objectives while saving time and money. For a free consultation on how we can help your business, call today!
Choosing the Right China Product Assembly Service for Your Business
Over two-thirds of all mobile handset devices were assembled and shipped from China in 2021.
While most of these units were due to the success of the iPhone, China has cemented itself as the global leader in the manufacturing and logistics industry. China has managed to dominate these sectors of the global economy for decades, transforming the Chinese economy in the process.
This dominance has left the Chinese manufacturing industry with the skills, expertise, and experience to be the world’s manufacturing hub. However, these facilities are also available for smaller businesses that want to outsource their product assembly needs to China.
Want to learn more about the product assembly services China has to offer? You’re in the perfect place. Here’s everything you need to know.
The Manufacturing Industry
The Chinese manufacturing industry is incredibly diverse in its offering. The entire industry is designed to be the ultimate one-stop shop for all your manufacturing and logistics needs. Here are the three different kinds of services that you can leverage to optimize your business.
Warehousing and Distribution Services
One of the main advantages that China has over the rest of the world is the fact that they have the logistics infrastructure to support its manufacturing sector. This allows businesses from around the world to manufacture and ship their finished products from China to every corner of the globe.
China makes use of the latest technology to help streamline the entire process. These technological advancements have left it with some of the most efficient ports and airports in the world. Despite its location, China can effectively ship to every country in the world.
China Product Assembly Services
Product assembly services can range from company to company. However, these services are vital to businesses that want to outsource the assembly of their products.
The Chinese market has one of the leading supply chains in the world. This means that there are tons of suppliers around China that can deliver various components and parts to the assembly facility just on time. This kind of logistics allows parts to arrive as they are needed on the production line.
Since they arrive when they are needed, there is no need to store them on site. This helps save space, time, and money while keeping things as streamlined and efficient as possible.
Product Assembly
Product assembly is one of the most common kinds of assembly services. This service includes working with a wide range of materials to help assemble your product for you. This includes materials such as plastic, metal, carbon fiber, wood, composites, textiles, and even cardboard.
Electronic Assembly
Electronic assembly is also incredibly popular in China. This is why companies like Apple use Chinese facilities to assemble their premium devices. This service includes a wide range of services, such as assembling wiring, connectors, clamps, switches, and various kinds of testing.
Assembly facilities have the tools to help with circuit testing, final product testing, and lifecycle testing. This can help ensure that your product is built to your satisfaction before it leaves the production floor.
Mechanical Assembly
Mechanical assembly is riveting, tapping, drilling, and staking. This kind of assembly is more technical in nature but can help ensure that your mechanical products are working exactly how they are meant to.
Packaging
While many may not think of packaging being part of the assembly process, it’s actually the most important part. The packaging that you use for your product can help set it apart from the competition. This plays a big role in your company’s branding and can be the difference between you and your competitor.
Benefits of Product Assembly Services in China
The Chinese manufacturing industry is the leading market for all your production and distribution needs. As the largest production industry in the world, the Chinese market can offer a level of service, quality, and affordability that you can’t get anywhere else. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider outsourcing your product assembly to China.
Strong Manufacturing Industry
As mentioned above, the Chinese manufacturing market is the most successful and dominant in the entire global economy. China has leveraged its favorable labor market and economic stability to dominate the industry for the last few decades. This has led to the evolution of the local sector, making it one of the most technologically advanced in the world.
It’s no secret that the success of the Chinese manufacturing market was heavily based on its low wages. However, the Chinese government, along with the local industry, has managed to evolve the entire industry. This evolution has left the market with some of the most technologically advanced systems and infrastructure.
This infrastructure has made China a global leader in manufacturing, product assembly, and logistics. This makes China the perfect partner to get your products sourced, manufactured, assembled, stored, and transported around the world. The one-stop shop nature of the Chinese market allows you to optimize your entire organization while managing to save on total costs.
Significantly Lower Production Costs
China became the manufacturing hub of the world because of its labor market. China is home to over 1.6 billion people that form part of a competitive labor market. The economic and political landscape in China has ensured that wages have grown but remain fairly low compared to other countries around the world.
While the minimum wage across Europe can range from $7 to over $20 an hour, the average wage across China is still below $3. However, the purchasing power of the local currency makes up for this difference. This makes China the perfect market to outsource your manufacturing to.
Stable Economic Environment
Despite the economic uncertainties over the last few years, the economic environment in China is quite stable. The government has included new legislation to make foreign investment easier. This has made the country perfect for investors looking to diversify their portfolios.
Favorable Local Currency
As mentioned above, China has a favorable local currency. The exchange rate is controlled completely by the national Government, allowing them to set the price according to their foreign investment needs at the time. While this is controversial, it helps strengthen the purchasing power of the local currency by insulating it from the rest of the global economy.
There are many benefits to controlling your currency this way. Besides allowing you to make investing more desirable to investors, it can also help investors make the most of their investment. This means that the same investment amount can stretch a lot further when working within the Chinese market.
Excellent International Logistics
China has evolved and upgraded its production facilities over the years. However, the country has made massive strides in other areas of the economy as well. The Chinese logistics and transportation sectors have been completely overhauled to help boost the local manufacturing industry throughout the country.
This has left China with some of the most efficient and productive ports in the world. In addition to this, China has state-of-the-art highways for logistics by road. China is also working on new highways to help them deliver goods by road throughout Europe.
The logistics and transportation services available in China make it the perfect place to base your international distribution center. However, outsourcing your production to China can allow you to produce and distribute your products from China. This can help make the entire process more efficient, saving you money in the process.
How To Find the Right China Product Assembly Service
Finding the right manufacturing partner is an important decision. This is because you want to find a long-term partner that can meet your organizational goals. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when looking for the right product assembly service to partner with within China.
1. Consider Your Needs
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of manufacturing plants, factories, and production facilities across China. While this does give you a lot of options, it can also make it difficult to find the right partner for your business.
Different companies have different needs. Figuring out exactly what you need from a manufacturing partner is the best place to start as it can help you filter out services that you may not need. While it’s beneficial to partner with a capable company, it can also be a waste of money to pay for services that you do not necessarily need.
It can also be beneficial to hire a consultant that’s experienced in the local manufacturing industry. These professionals are experienced within the Chinese market and can help you find the right partner for your company. These consultants aren’t free, but they can help you secure a long-term partner, saving you a lot more time and money in the process.
2. Scalability
Once you have a few companies shortlisted, compare the capabilities of each manufacturing company. Compare their fees but also look through each facility to examine their scalability. This is important because you want to find a partner than can seamlessly scale up production when demand increases.
Having a partner that can simply increase production quickly can help you keep up with demand around the world. If you were to partner with someone that could not scale up production, you would have to stop and find a new partner. Finding and switching manufacturing partners will take time and cost you potential sales while you’re busy handling the transition.
3. Track Record and Experience
As mentioned above, it’s important to look at a manufacturer’s scalability when evaluating the company. However, their track record is equally important. Don’t be shy to reach out to previous clients that they may have worked with to see what it’s like to work with them.
Finding and securing a manufacturing partner is probably one of the most important organizational decisions you will make for your company. This is especially important if you’re outsourcing production and trusting the manufacturing facility to produce and distribute your product on your behalf.
4. Range of Services
Not all production and manufacturing services are the same. This is why it’s so important to take a good look at the company before making your final decision. While some facilities only offer contract manufacturing, others may offer precision product assembly as well.
Partnering with manufacturing companies that offer more than one service is ideal as it also futureproofs your relationship. Even if you don’t need that particular service right now, the fact that the company can do it showcases how they still support you as your company grows.
5. Start Small
When you’ve found the perfect manufacturing company, start small with your first few orders. This can help you spot things you may want to improve on before you start production on a larger scale.
Even the smallest of delays can end up costing you money. Whether it’s an error in design or production, stopping production for even a second costs you sales. This is why it’s so important that you take your time to streamline every process and spot all the errors as quickly as possible.
Outsource Your Product Assembly
China is the manufacturing and logistics capital of the world. As a leader in the manufacturing industry, China is home to some of the most productive and optimized product assembly facilities. With the right partnerships, you can leverage this experience to grow your business around the world.
If you want to learn more about how you can optimize your production in China, Shield Works is the best place to start. We specialize in helping you outsource your production and product assembly needs in China to help you cut costs and maximize efficiency.
Interested in learning more? Contact us today.
Why China is the Top Country for Product Prototyping
Although there are prototyping services in numerous countries around the world, China provides one-of-a-kind advantages to entrepreneurs and manufacturers alike. Let’s take a look at why China is the best place to prototype products before they launch globally.
Labor cost is lower
While labor costs in China are still cheaper than those of other high-tech economies like Japan and South Korea, they use more advanced machinery and better manufacturing processes to make products cheaper, faster, and higher in quality. Allowing these firms to set lower prices, such efficiency come from better use of technology (like robots) and closer monitoring of labor schedules to minimize downtime (i.e. breaks taken by workers). These different factors increased efficiency and lower wages, which mean that Chinese manufacturers are capable of supplying a higher quantity of products at a lower cost than anywhere else in the world.
They take care of it all
Some Chinese prototyping shops provide all the help you need to build a prototype. On-staff designers, 3D printers, and injection molders will give your ideas form and shape. if you purchase a package deal, they’ll do all of your work for you. Startup founders love this because it lets them focus on what they do best. Even better: specialized prototyping companies are popping up in increasing numbers, with faster-than-normal manufacturing processes, which work well for small startups aiming to get specific things accomplished.
For example, if you’re building a medical device, you might want to partner with a firm that specializes in the design and manufacture of medical devices. These firms know the details that the regulatory agencies such as FDA need to make sure that you’re following their protocols and as such you don’t need to concern yourselves with that information. Entrepreneurs who are launching hardware-based products should work closely with these experts from the earliest phases of the project.
Fast delivery
Inexpensive prototyping and large-scale manufacturing allow product developers to innovate at an unprecedented pace. Chinese factories offer lower costs, shorter lead times, and larger production volumes than other countries. Companies like Apple have established relationships with Chinese manufacturers for over a decade. Today, a large percentage of Apple’s products are manufactured in China—including final assembly for some parts (e.g., cables and batteries). While there are many factors that come into play when deciding where to locate production, high speed of prototype delivery has become increasingly important as consumers demand better turnaround times on pre-orders.
Preloaded technology
Since they make 3D printers with helpful software to make them easier to use, Chinese manufacturers also preload their 3D engineers with more industry experience, because they typically hire skilled workers who are experienced with manufacturing similar products or work with experienced consultants. Due to its large population, the talent pool in China is nothing comparable to those in other countries. It’s been difficult to close this sizable gap.
Innovative culture
While in the past China’s reputation has been that of a country that has stolen technologies and has relied on a copier culture, it’s now on the verge of becoming a leading economic power. Beijing’s top leaders are beginning to think that innovation, not imitation, can be the solution to some of the country’s problems and that it can create new industries and jobs, as well. They believe that innovation will lead to economic growth and more opportunities. nearly 700 universities in China have revamped their names to incorporate innovation, signifying an emphasis on teaching for research and development. Only a few years ago, these schools focused solely on providing the lowest common denominator of engineering training, churning out manufactured products for countries around the world.
Home-made tech forces
One of the reasons why Chinese startups can prototype at such an accelerated rate is that they take advantage of local tech hubs. These facilities allow startups to rent office space, equipment, and more–eliminating expensive overhead costs while also fostering a sense of community and support. For a tech startup’s success in prototyping its product, being closer to industry experts and resources as well as proximity to large financial markets might be just as important as proximity to Silicon Valley’s startups and innovation.
For instance, take Huaqiangbei in Shenzhen for prototyping needs. With processors, motors, sensors, and circuit boards, this massive market has all of the electronic components imaginable. This place would be like a godsend for an entrepreneur! Don’t worry, those needing a startup engineer or product designer needn’t walk the thin line of distributors or manufacturers – they can take to the equally harrowing but far shorter task of searching Huaqiangbei Street instead! Of course, they also gain an attractive other benefit, though access to information.
Shield Works’ in-house engineering team is well-seasoned and bilingual, and we have over 17 years of product prototyping experience in China. Contact us now for more!
7 Benefits of Working with China Manufacturers You Must Know
Deciding whether to outsource your manufacturing to China can be an overwhelming process, but there are many reasons to choose China as your manufacturing hub. Here are five of the most important benefits you should consider before making a decision.
Lower Costs Than Western Counterparts
One of the primary benefits of outsourcing your manufacturing to China is the lower labor costs.
Besides having fewer overhead costs, Chinese facilities also have lower training costs. In order to cover these costs, domestic manufacturing facilities must set aside a significant amount of money.
Businesses of all types outsource instead, as wages in China are also lower than in the United States.
When you outsource, you can spend less per dollar, so you can reap the benefits that can come from using Chinese product assembly. Keep this in mind when you are considering moving forward.
Larger Production Volume
A business does not necessarily need to manufacture thousands of products in one order. However, in some cases, large organizations often have a hard time locating a domestic facility that can meet their bigger-than-normal needs.
This means that China has typically built facilities that are able to produce large volumes of goods for many different countries. Even an average Chinese factory can outperform the vast majority of western facilities.
When it comes to companies that require a massive supply of their product, there is no better alternative than outsourcing to China. In many cases, it is also the only way to meet your goals.
Diversified Production
To long-term success, scaling your business may be needed.
This can happen in a variety of ways. For example, you might add a new product line to generate additional revenue.
One option would be to find growth opportunities in one of China’s developing markets. That way, you can use them to establish a niche in your business. Designing new products is one of the key ways in which they help.
Choosing a Chinese OEM plant, in some cases, might give you an edge over your competition.
Flexibility of Product Design
Domestic facilities usually cannot adjust their design at your behest because it could take them days or weeks to actually put them into practice.
You may have to change the way you do business to sell a more desirable product if you don’t have high enough sales numbers. Adding to this, delayed orders because of design changes also carry the risk of your customers turning to competitors.
It is our understanding that Chinese manufacturers are ready to implement any changes required of them. As for you, all you need to do is contact the representatives from your company and describe the alterations that you need.
The manufacturer will typically make revised products as soon as possible after you inform them of your change, which is an important consideration as it will affect your brand’s reputation.
IP Protection
Many people are unaware that many Chinese factories prioritize intellectual property protection.
This means they make sure you don’t end up in legal trouble by avoiding any form of infringement. To illustrate, suppose you sell a product that is extremely similar to that of your competitor.
As with any other manufacturing industry, there are shady facilities that engage in such tactics. A reputable factory in China will make sure that there is no copying or reverse engineering going on.
It is good news that you can research the reputation of your prospective factory before choosing to work with them. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a situation that is difficult to remedy.
Efficiency
China’s factories are capable of mass production, and it is a simple matter for them to do so with remarkable speed.
These new and efficient facilities can meet any production standard. This will allow smaller organizations to compete with larger ones.
Many small businesses can’t keep up with the production rates of large corporations. Without the help of the right manufacturers, these businesses will never be competitive.
Tips of Finding The Factory Right for You?
It can be difficult to find a reliable Chinese manufacturer for all sorts of reasons, like time zone challenges and language barriers. With the help of a professional, you will be able to get a firm grasp on which factory is best for your company.
You’ll find that they are a go-between who has contacts at the other party’s end. That way, they’ll be able to work out the finer points and make agreements without you even needing to intervene.
You can take a look at this resource to find out how you can use this to your advantage.
We Are You Go-To Option
With the above information in mind, you can be sure that you are deciding the right course of action for your company.
From here, you’ll be able to employ Chinese manufacturing for appropriate businesses. Want to learn more about Shield Works with 17 years of China manufacturing experience? Please get in touch with us today and see how we can help.
The Risks of Outsourced Manufacturing: What You Need to Know
When you outsource your manufacturing, you’re trusting someone else to handle the job of turning your idea into a tangible product. While this usually works out well and can bring significant cost savings to your company, there are risks involved with outsourcing that you should keep in mind as you consider outsourcing as an option for your business or organization. Read on to learn about some of the most common risks of outsourcing manufacturing and how to avoid them so that you can maximize your benefits and minimize your costs.
Supplier Risk
Direct arrangements with suppliers from any industry come with risks. However, the risk is greater when buying from an international supplier. Prior to outsourcing, you must conduct a thorough investigation.
Then, you need to conduct a thorough risk assessment using the possible markets and suppliers. Identify any potential issues with the provider’s possible suppliers.
It must include the supplier’s operations, quality, leadership, and labor. Check to see if their track record lives up to their promises.
By doing so, you will avoid disruptions caused by your supplier failing to follow through. You can also ask other helpful businesses who have used your potential supplier. As soon as you make your decision, you’ll gain insight into working with them.
Quality Assurance
The lead time, as a result, for transporting products is longer compared to domestic sources, if product failure occurs from an international source, which can cost you suffer severe business disruptions.
If the problems get severe, it can take months to resolve them. To mitigate this risk, you need to prepare detailed product specifications for your sources. You’ll periodically perform independent quality control inspections.
You may lose your reputation if your product quality declines. Avoid this by observing the manufacturing process for a few weeks. It is cheaper and ensures quality, so it’s better than having to recall a product.
Intellectual Property Protection
Don’t share sensitive information with your outsourced manufacturers until you check their origin country and their intellectual property rights. Otherwise, your proprietary information might be leaked.
In cases like this, IP laws are more relaxed in the manufacturer’s country. Depending on the product, you may find it better not to outsource anything. If your product undergoes regular updates, however, this might not be an issue.
You might overlook patent protection if you think you can produce better items faster and with better quality. This can happen when you pump out new products faster than the market can handle.
Transportation and Delivery
Outsourcing to a foreign service is tricky if you don’t take it one step at a time. If you do it poorly, the delivery will be delayed.
A common timeline for ordering and receiving your product should be important to your outsourced manufacturer. Think about whether they can meet a timeline for production. In case the total is greater than it has been, you must work to make the customer’s expectations fit reality.
One may also look for a workaround to restore the time to its correct place. Otherwise, you may accidentally erase all your work. Given the importance of this issue to customers, we’ll need to keep it at the forefront of our priorities.
Sourcing Labor
This type of conversation doesn’t happen as often, but when it does, it can hurt your brand. Make and fulfill your products with a manufacturer that follows humane standards.
It is especially important when it comes to labor laws and other relevant guidelines for employee safety that your manufacturer’s guidelines match your own country’s. It is your responsibility as well as your outsourced help to adhere to ILO guidelines if your country is a member.
Weather
Despite how it might seem, what your manufacturer does in relation to the weather can affect how it’s perceived. A rough bout of weather can lead to various delays. Doing so puts your brand in a negative spotlight because it has to be revealed what your labour force looks like.
How well your supply chain holds up to weather-related crises can affect your reputation, as well. Though they’re flawed, it’s not always best to steer clear of your brand name. As a result, you must put it before anything else.
Should You Outsource Manufacturing?
If your company is not ready for outsourcing, you should weigh the benefits of this decision. A number of benefits are available to you.
You will cut your spending as well as boost the productivity of your business by doing so. Popular demands are produced by many companies.
Additionally, you’ll avoid every aspect of manufacturing bureaucracy. It’s what slows businesses down, especially in countries with strict regulations.
Invest in Outsourced Manufacturing Today
While there are risks involved, partnering with an outsourcing manufacturing company can be helpful in boosting your business productivity. The first step is to find a reputable manufacturer. Use this advice to find the best provider.
Have you been considering manufacturing internationally? If so, please get in touch with Shield Works and we’ll talk about how our 17 years of outsourced manufacturing can help your business thrive!
How to Work Successfully with a Product Development Company in China
Whether you’re outsourcing manufacturing or just having product development done, working with a product development company in China may be the best thing you can do for your company. It’s not always easy to work with these companies and get what you want, but by following these tips, you can make sure you have the best experience possible when working with a product development company in China.
Researching if a Chinese company is right for you
Do your research to make sure the company is reputable and has a good track record. Request referrals from other clients, read reviews, and look for third-party verification on their website or social media pages.
If you’re still not sure, contact your potential manufacturer directly via email or phone to ask them questions about their manufacturing process, products they’ve made before, turnaround time, etc. Make sure you’re clear on what you want upfront so there are no surprises later. Make sure you have a clear idea of how much it will cost and how long it will take to get the product manufactured once all details have been finalized.
Finding the right supplier
There are many things to consider when looking for a supplier, such as cost, quality, turnaround time, and communication. Quality is always the most important consideration but you will have to weigh that against your budget and desired timeline. For example, if you’re going for high-quality but don’t want it delivered quickly, you’ll need to find someone who specializes in producing slow-moving items or can give you a discount on the price.
A product development company with a widespread network of suppliers in China can help you a lot as they provide a vast pool of options for you. This can save you time and money, as you’re likely to find several good suppliers from one firm.
Use an Online Translation Tool
If you’re looking to develop a product with a company based in China, it’s important to establish clear communication from the start. Using an online translation tool can help bridge the language barrier and ensure that both parties are on the same page. You should find a reliable translation software provider such as Google Translate or ICanLocalize before your project starts.
Always be sure to get in touch with your partner before starting work on your project. Communication is key to everything, and make sure you language is simple to understand. Do not assume that the partners will understand what 5×5 means when used in reference to size, or finish by Labor Day, as the Chinese Labor Day falls on May 1, when referencing deadlines. Be specific when discussing measurements and timelines so there is no confusion.
Use Templates as a Starting Point
When you are ready to start working with a product development company in China, it is important to have a clear idea of what you want your product to be. Templates can be a great starting point for this process. However, be sure to communicate your vision clearly to the company you are working with.
It may also be helpful to do some research about popular products on the market and create images or sketches based on these ideas. For example, if you want a toy that will help teach toddlers how to count and learn colors, you could use pictures of other toys that teach those skills as a template.
Ask For Samples
Always ask for samples of their previous work. This will give you an idea of their quality and craftsmanship. If possible, try to have someone visit their facilities, given the current travel restrictions, and meet with their team in person. This will help you get a better sense of who you’ll be working with and how they operate.
It’s important to find the right balance between trusting your instincts and choosing the company that checks all your boxes when it comes to your budget, timing, quality standards and expertise.
Document Everything
When working with a product development company in China, be sure to document everything. This includes contracts, communication, and any other important details. If god forbid, when it comes time for you to file a complaint or lawsuit against the manufacturer, you will have everything on hand for the process.
It is also important to remember that often times there are discrepancies between what was agreed upon and what was actually delivered. It is best to document as much as possible so that you can catch these discrepancies early before they escalate into an issue.
Deal With Design Changes at Scale
Changes are common in a design process. They may be minor, such as changing the color or size. Or they can be major, such as changing materials or components and all that entails. However, it is important to note that there are two types of changes: those that can easily be made at scale and those that cannot. The latter must always be done by hand.
When working with a product development company in China, make sure you specify which type of change you want done so the designer will know what to do! If your project requires many changes, have your Chinese manufacturer provide guidance on how to handle them.
Working with a product development company in China is not something to take lightly, but the rewards can be great if you do your research. That takes an experienced product development company for you to achieve, and Shield Works is one with 17 years of experience in this area. Reach out to us if you’d like to know more!
4 Things You Must Know about IP Protection in China If You’re Manufacturing There
China manufacturing has become much more popular in recent years, with the China being known as the ‘world’s factory’. However, while China manufacturing offers many benefits, it also comes with its own unique set of challenges, including intellectual property protection issues. For those considering manufacturing in China, here are four things you must know about IP protection in China if you’re manufacturing there to help you avoid potential legal issues down the road.
It’s Different When You Are Not From There
In any country, protecting your intellectual property (IPR) is difficult. It becomes even more complicated when you are dealing with a foreign jurisdiction like China, which has its own set of laws and customs that differ from your own. While no one wants to consider they might ever need to use IP protection methods, they can be an asset if you are faced with problems.
Before you seek legal help or pursue someone for violating your IP rights, remember that many IP cases fail because companies make basic mistakes; before taking action, it pays to know some of them. For example: Remember that you are a foreigner – Chinese laws should protect you against infringement, but don’t assume they will.
Having a backup plan is important because there is always a possibility that law enforcement may not assist you. Keep in mind who owns what – In China, registered trademarks are owned by the registrant rather than being assigned based on where products are sold. Due to this rule, you could lose ownership over your trademark simply by failing to register it properly. In addition to using multiple locations for manufacturing facilities and offices, Chinese businesses tend to utilize multiple forms of IP protection, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
Trademark Registration in China
In order to fully protect your intellectual property (IP) rights, you must apply for trademark protection in China. There are three ways to do so: chinese national or regional trademark offices can be contacted directly, through a representative, an agent, or through a representative of an agent.
Direct registration is cheapest and fastest. If you don’t speak Chinese fluently, you will likely want to use an agent rather than trying to do this on your own. The best agents have years of experience filing trademarks in China and can walk you through the process.
Make sure your trademark is maintained by filing periodic renewal applications before its expiration. If you fail to renew, you risk losing all legal protections conferred by registration-including the right to prevent others from registering a similar mark. It is called trademark squatting when someone registers a trademark similar to yours after yours has expired. This process occurs frequently and is called trademark squatting.
Generally, copyright protection is achieved through registration with CIPA (China Intellectual Property Office). This ensures your work is protected legally.
Following completion of examination and approval procedures, trademarks can be registered with SAIC (State Administration for Industry & Commerce) or SIPO (State Intellectual Property Office). In addition to providing exclusive rights for your trademark, it also allows you to contest its use in court if necessary. If you wish to register a trademark, the most important thing is to make sure it hasn’t been registered by another party first; otherwise, you may face difficulties if you want to register it at a later date.
Brand Protection
When it comes to your creations, if you haven’t registered them through patent or copyright registration with qualified departments, you cannot take advantage of their legal protection. For instance, when developing something new, ensure it is registered intellectual property before distributing it to others for commercialization. This will allow you to lay the groundwork for future protection of your rights and interests.
Make sure you include an effective copyright notice on all of your original works. Copyright is defined as a form of personal ownership that protects original works of authorship including literary, architectural and artistic works from being used by others without permission or compensation.
What To Do with An IPR Dispute
You should definitely keep your records – things like your business contracts, licenses, registrations, licenses, licenses, you name it. You don’t want to destroy any records!
Check with a local attorney before signing agreements like these because they often have clauses that should be looked at beforehand. The clauses listed in this section may jeopardize Intellectual Property Rights in China.
When a dispute does arise, you can find a way to solve it by going to the police or foreign courts, among other choices. They are many instances, like going before the entire commission of Beijing Arbitration and seeking help from other departments such as SIPO and the National Copyright Administration.
Alternately, many foreign companies can solve their problems by going to the local technology offices for consultation at any time. One solution you may turn to after you consult with an infringer and find that it refuses to respond to the consultation is to take the infringer to court by yourself or to apply for help from SIPO. The most important thing is to be prepared with IPR protection before bringing the infringement to an end in China.
It’s better to prepare for the worst-case scenario, like if you found a company with a safe production facility and its own IP protection zone. Shield Works is just such a company. Different types of IP protection services are available, such as a partnership with a leading IP industry expert in China. If you want more information, you can always get in touch with us!
Product Assembly in China: 5 Tips to Make Your Assembly Project More Efficient
Outsourcing product assembly to China has helped many Western companies expand their market reach and maintain competitive pricing.
It’s a simple yet effective process for those who want to increase productivity without breaking the bank or spending too much time waiting for shipment deliveries.
Do you take efficiency into account when planning to assemble a product? To improve your abilities at assembling products in China, here are five tips for business owners to keep in mind. Let’s get started.
1. Avoid Intellectual Property (IP) Theft
First off, as a brand owner, it is imperative to always keep your intellectual property (IP) intact. If this leaks out of course there will be legal action taken against you and it becomes a difficult process.
To ensure you’re making the right decisions when it comes to choosing an assembly partner and avoiding IP theft, do some research on how trademarks and patents work in China. Then find a supplier with a good reputation and a proven track record for helping other businesses succeed.
We also highly recommend having your chosen assembly partner sign NNN (Non-Disclosure, Non-Use, and Non-Circumvention) agreements to protect your confidentiality like product details, drawings, marketing strategies, etc.
If your potential assembly partner has any issues signing these agreements, then this should be a red flag and you may need to look for alternative options. Because if anything goes wrong with your IP rights, then that becomes an extremely difficult problem to deal with and you’ll have to postpone your assembly project.
2. Pay Attention to the Lead Time
Lead time is the period of time between an order being placed and the final product being received. The short lead time means the faster you can get the products.
As the old saying goes, time is money. Reducing leading time is an important goal when making products in China. There are many benefits to this activity such as:
- Outpace your competition
- Lower additional costs like warehousing costs and logistics costs
- Quicker replenishment of stock to avoid stockouts and backorders
So, when you plan to start your product assembly project in China, you have to ask your service provider about the lead time before starting the project. If they refuse to offer an accurate reply, they may not have confidence in dealing with your project or would rather make false promises than get things done properly. In this case, communication is key. Try to keep everything clear, concise, and to the point, so it’ll be easier for both parties to understand without confusion.
Not only your customers will be happy to purchase and receive products in a timely fashion, but also you will be delighted with the short lead time. This is especially true for Amazon sellers who need to optimize their inventory performance so they can avoid being out of stock and having to pay high warehouse fees because they are running out of space.
3. Use Quality Control Services
Customers expect you to deliver high-quality goods that meet their needs. If they receive defective products that don’t meet these expectations, it will damage your company.
Therefore, you should consider quality control services.
Quality control is an important process aimed at ensuring that the product quality meets your requirements and standards.
By conducting quality control during or after the product assembly process, you can determine whether the defective rate is within an acceptable range, which is a good way to improve efficiency. Because this provides assurance to both your business and your customers and minimizes loss.
If the defective rate is too high that you can’t feed up with it, you should talk to your supplier if they can offer a solution before shipping out faulty products.
4. Streamline the Logistics
Logistics chains are a lot more complicated these days than they used to be.
More than one company is involved in any given shipment, not to make mention the number of distributors and points for unloading or reloading cargo.
Moreover, due to Covid-19, international freights are in shortage, and logistics fees are going up.
Manufacturing and trading companies are trying to accomplish every logistics mission from start to finish and aim to do so in the fastest and cheapest way possible.
At this point, to improve efficiency and maintain costs, you can consider ordering consolidation services instead of shipping all products on your own.
A consolidation service is ideal if you wish to have all your goods shipped together as a single international shipment to minimize your shipping costs.
5. Work with an Experienced Supplier
Now that you have a better understanding of how to improve efficiency when getting products assembled in China, it is time to take these factors into consideration before making your final decisions about who will be your best fit to deal with your project.
Finding a supplier to assemble your product is easy in China. However, looking for an experienced and reliable supplier is still a time-consuming job.
Take your time and reach out to suppliers who have dealt with similar projects before, so there are fewer chances for making mistakes. Focus on finding an assembly partner that can provide both efficiency and high-quality output.
Partnering with Shield Works, founded in 2020, as an offshoot of the British-owned and managed C2W Group located in the South China Greater Bay Area, things will be easier.
Whether you are an established brand or a new startup, Shield Works is a reliable and professional partner providing customized manufacturing and precision assembly for Western companies who are fed up with poor product quality, lack of transparency, and are worried about reliability and delivery time from their Chinese suppliers.
We can build a tailor-made solution based on your situation to meet your standards and requirements. Start your journey by reaching out today to discuss your product and learn how we can help.