When expanding your business to China, finding the right supplier can be a complex and time-consuming process. Over the past nine months, we assisted a U.S. company in purchasing two customized industrial dryers for their expansion project in China. This journey involved auditing factories, managing production, and ensuring smooth delivery. Throughout the process, we conducted over 30 weekly production meetings, submitted progress reports, and provided solutions to ensure on-time delivery and quality control.

With over 20 years of experience helping clients buy from China, I've learned much about how to screen suppliers effectively. Here are some key points to consider when selecting a supplier:

As a trusted partner for international companies navigating Chinese supply chains, our firm recently guided a U.S. client through a complex procurement project for customized industrial dryers. Here’s how we turned challenges into results:

What matters when buying customized products from Chinese suppliersPatience and again patience no matter how tight your schedule is. A spinning head sees nothing.We have learned this from one of our current projects: help our client buy manufacturing equipment from China. If you put the designing onto the supplier’s hand, keep in mind that you treat him as he knows nothing about your factory, your products or your requirements. It is sort of “start from scratch”, then you give him all the basics and only the key dim/aspects/factors/targets, particularly the limitations at the beginning. It takes more time for him to develop an understanding of your request than you expect. Often you will go back to these basics sometime at some point and you have lost time and at a risk of delay.

In the world of international trade, the allure of the lowest price can be irresistible. It promises savings, higher margins, and seemingly endless profits. Yet, beneath its tempting facade lies a web of challenges and pitfalls that many buyers overlook in their pursuit of a bargain.

In the intricate web of global supply chains, the journey from suppliers to strategic partners requires careful navigation and strategic decision-making. For a US buyer of truck parts, the transition from transactional relationships to strategic alliances with Chinese suppliers proved to be a pivotal moment in their sourcing strategy. Let's delve into the case study to understand the assessment process and its transformative impact.

China’s export performance in 2024 has shattered records, signaling a transformative year for global trade. With a total export value of $3.58 trillion, marking a 5.9% year-on-year increase, China continues to solidify its position as a dominant force in global commerce. Notably, December alone saw a 10.7% export growth, exceeding expectations and reflecting the anticipation of trade policy changes, particularly in light of U.S. President Trump’s inauguration and potential tariff hikes.

The client is a US food packaging company that just bought two #sheeters from China, among other machines. The chosen supplier is a top-three sheeter manufacturer because of its advanced technology, mature fabrication expertise (30+ years), lower cost, and, more importantly, short lead time.

In today's era of globalization, cross-border procurement has emerged as a key strategic initiative for many businesses looking to expand their operations. Recently, we had the privilege of assisting a US client in sourcing carbon fiber tube manufacturers from China. The experience was both memorable and worth sharing.