How to deal with manufacturers and suppliers in Asia

How to deal with manufacturers and suppliers in Asia

Maybe you have already experienced it: you have found a manufacturer to have your products manufactured in China, but you have no idea on how to approach the manufacturer. You will be facing language barriers, different time zones, and an uncertainty of what platform you should use to communicate. Let’s face it, dealing with manufacturers and suppliers in Asia can be very challenging. In this blog we will talk about the problems that can arise when approaching manufacturers and suppliers in Asia, what the solutions are for these problems and what JDLsourcing has to offer as a production partner.

The approach; what do you have to pay attention to?

When your business is on the line, you need to use the following keys to deal with manufacturers and suppliers in Asia.

1. Managing the whole manufacturing cycle

If you do not setup processes early on in your business to deal with your manufacturers and suppliers, chances are that your business will not last too long. As an entrepreneur, you do not only need to manage people, but you also need to manage your product through its full life cycle.

Managing your product can mean everything from dealing with an engineer who is working on your computer aided designs to telling your manufacturer the adjustments you made on your pre-production product sample to shipping the goods.

2. Setup a Go-To Means of Communication.

When you first started interacting with a potential manufacturer or supplier, it is key to setup ways to communicate. I recommend having at least two methods and at least two points of contact at a company you are considering working with. As an example, we once had a customer who tried finding a manufacturer on their own and had their main sales rep quit the job. When the sales rep left, she took all the information they had sent her about their product. They then had to start from ground zero in the product development process because the sales rep that quit did not tell the manufacturer about the product they were working on.

3. Make sure your product specifications are on point!

A product must exist on paper before it can be put together by the manufacturer. Manufactures in Asia expect customers to provide all relevant information. They will not take responsibility for doing this. Examples of product specifications include:
– Product colour codes (Pantone or RAL)
– Size tables
– Measurements
– Artwork files (.ai format)
– CAD or other drawing files
– Product reference samples

4. Cross Check Everything.

This should be a rule of thumb when dealing with manufacturers: If they send a contract, NDA, or payment information, be sure to check it with them twice, using two forms of communication. This means check it with them over email and then check again over Skype. We heard this story from a customer of ours before they started working with us: A manufacturer had sent payment information via Email. The client went to double check via Skype and found out that the bank account numbers were completely wrong. Turns out the manufacturer’s email had been hacked. That double check over a different communication platform saved this guy thousands.

5. Always order a sample before starting mass production.

Developing pre-production samples is the perfect way to test the viability of your new design, and the manufacturers capability to produce it. It can help to detect and improve errors before it’s too late.

6. Always Follow Up.

If you’ve gotten to the point where you’re starting production, you need to be checking in at least once a week. Though it may sound annoying, checking in with a manufacturer makes your project top of mind. This enables you to try and make sure manufacturers stay on top of deadlines and update you if there are any issues. The worst scenario you can get yourself into is finding out of a problem three weeks after it happened because you weren’t in communication with your manufacturer and they didn’t have the stigma to tell you. Now that you know the keys to dealing with suppliers and manufacturers in Asia, it’s time to put them into practice. If you have a manufacturer, use these keys to make sure you’re dealing with them correctly.

JDLsourcing as your production partner;

In addition to avoiding misunderstandings in communication and arranging a suitable factory, JDLsourcing is the specialist when it comes to manufacturing in China. With years of experience and the right knowledge and mindset, JDLsourcing has been able to make many customers happy with the manufactured products from China. JDLsourcing will take your worries away for the entire purchasing process. Things like looking for a supplier, having the products produced and the complete logistics with the necessary controls. For more information about producing in China, please visit our ‘manufacturing in China’ blog.

Do you have a fantastic idea, and can’t you wait to make your idea reality? Don’t wait any longer and take your chances by contactingJDLsourcing! Together with our local team in China, we are ready to make your dreams come true and produce in China for you!