Rising prices in China: 5 solutions for importers - QualityInspection.org
What can importers who're outsourcing production to Chinese suppliers do to avoid getting their margins squeezed? Here are my 5 tips.| QualityInspection.org
What can importers who're outsourcing production to Chinese suppliers do to avoid getting their margins squeezed? Here are my 5 tips.| QualityInspection.org
New buyers often make the mistake of trusting suppliers too much. Learn how to keep leverage over suppliers in China by carefully structuring deals.| QualityInspection.org
How To Find A Manufacturer In China: 10 Verification Steps [eBook] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7qjBORpcZ0 ” Practical advice for importers who want to avoid the traps in China sourcing and learn how to find a manufacturer who is perfectly suited to their needs. Over the years, the team at Sofeast has developed 10 verification steps to help you […]| QualityInspection.org
Practical guides on audits, inspections, reliability, and manufacturing in China & Asia. Tips, checklists, and case studies from experts.| QualityInspection.org
What are design reviews carried out during the new product design, development, and manufacturing process, and when do they take place?| QualityInspection.org
What are the 3 product design optimizations and best practices that you can't miss if you're bringing a new product to market? Find out here.| QualityInspection.org
Rings, earbuds, watches, and smart glasses are tiny, live on the body, and get abused daily. That mix creates unique reliability risks. In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, we unpack real failures we’ve seen and map them to a practical prevention plan you can apply before mass production. Listen to the audio here or on […] The post Why smart wearables fail in the field (and the tests that would have caught it) appeared first on QualityInspection.org.| QualityInspection.org
What industrial design really does: from research and sketches to CAD and prototypes, why to involve ID early, key deliverables, pitfalls, and sustainability.| QualityInspection.org
Trade fairs like IFA Berlin or CES in Las Vegas are big opportunities for consumer electronics brands and startups. They give you a chance to showcase your product, meet distributors, and build awareness. But here’s the reality: simply showing up with a booth isn’t enough. If you don’t prepare properly, you may spend thousands of […] The post How PR and Pre-Orders Can Make Your Trade Fair a Success appeared first on QualityInspection.org.| QualityInspection.org
When a component or product fails, the consequences can range from embarrassing defects to serious safety hazards. Thinking ahead, “If this fails, what happens?” can save lives, avoid recalls, and build trust in your brand. In this episode (Ep. 294), Adrian and Renaud unpack real-world lessons from Tesla doors, aviation, and everyday gadgets to show […] The post Fail-Safe Design Principles Every Product Developer Should Know appeared first on QualityInspection.org.| QualityInspection.org
Explore six polymer processing methods: injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, rotational molding & 3D printing, to help you decide the right process for your product.| QualityInspection.org
Explore how to protect shipments effectively using packaging, with a list of 8 key considerations such as packaging type, protection, pallets, and more.| QualityInspection.org
Importers must pay attention to packaging that protects and adds value to their products. Explore packaging inspection, testing, and what's checked here.| QualityInspection.org
When deciding to develop your own products for manufacturing here in China you have these 12 decision to make. I list them along with pros & cons for each.| QualityInspection.org
This is the third article where I reproduce the insights from Kevin Howard, a consultant with deep experience about packaging issues. Our previous Q&A are on The importance of packaging optimization and Saving money thanks to better packaging. Question: The ISTA 1A procedure (of letting a carton drop on the floor 10 times in a […]| QualityInspection.org
This is the sequel to our previous post about packaging optimization, where Kevin Howard (principal consultant at Packnomics) responds to my questions. Question: Can you share an example where the importer saved money through smarter packaging? Response: Hewlett-Packard’s DeskJet printers were being air shipped from Singapore in the early 1990’s. The boxes were stripped off of their […]| QualityInspection.org
I recently got in contact with Kevin Howard, the principal consultant at Packnomics. He has been working on packaging issues since 1984, and has been involved with China since 1987, when he taught Distribution Packaging and Testing at the first school of packaging in China (in Shaanxi province). I asked Kevin a few questions, the first […]| QualityInspection.org
If you need to work with a Contract Manufacturer (CM) in China, ask yourself these 10 questions that will help you choose the right partner.| QualityInspection.org
How do you manage your tooling through design, fabrication, production, and after? Renaud talks you through it and shares risk-reducing best practices here.| QualityInspection.org
Less experienced buyers bringing a new product to market may feel confused about when is the best time for investing in tooling. This post clears that up.| QualityInspection.org
Every new product eventually involving plastic components faces a critical decision most teams underestimate: what polymer to use. The choice affects not only initial prototype engineering, but also tooling, compliance, durability, and costs over the product’s life. Listen to the audio here or on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Podcasts · Deezer · iHeartRADIO […] The post Choosing the Right Plastic for Your Product: Common Options Explained appeared first on QualityInspection.org.| QualityInspection.org
Until now, products could be exported out of China without disclosing a lot of details, as long as they are not in a highly regulated industry. And this is about to change. The Chinese government has announced that, from 1 October 2025, new regulations would come into effect. When exporting goods, the identity of the […] The post China Export Process: Stricter Compliance Requirements Coming Oct 1st ’25 appeared first on QualityInspection.org.| QualityInspection.org
In this episode, Adrian and Renaud Anjoran unpack the seven biggest pitfalls hardware startups face on the road from working prototype to successful mass manufacturing. Each misstep, like skipping pilot runs, launching crowdfunding campaigns too early, or skipping test plans, can derail your launch, bleed your budget, or damage your brand. They discuss what to […] The post From Prototype to Production: 7 Mistakes That Cost Manufacturers Time and Money appeared first on QualityInspection.org.| QualityInspection.org
Learn why rushing injection mold tooling sign-off can sabotage your project. From DFM to trial runs, discover how structured phase gates (T0–T2) protect quality, timelines, and budgets.| QualityInspection.org
Are you at risk of Chinese suppliers circumventing you & selling to your competitors using product knowledge gained from you? Read 5 tips to reduce the risk| QualityInspection.org
China is a great choice for manufacturing your new product, especially if it's complex. But the risk of China IP theft is very real, as these examples show.| QualityInspection.org
Pre-production prototype testing is the process of building and evaluating working prototypes to find and fix reliability, usability, and manufacturing issues before mass production. Skipping it means gambling with your investment, your timeline, and your reputation. What’s a Real-World Example of Successful Prototype Testing? Komatsu’s 1960s bulldozer project is a textbook example of testing […] The post What Is Pre-Production Prototype Testing and Why Is It Critical for Product Suc...| QualityInspection.org
Learn how 2025’s US tariffs and trade war disrupt Chinese factories, creating quality, continuity, and supply chain risks buyers must manage strategically.| QualityInspection.org
Dan Harris just published advice to exhibitors that showcase their own new product designs. In his words: It should go without saying that you should not reveal anything more at a trade fair than you would otherwise, and you should have an agreement in place (an NDA or an NNN) before revealing any trade secret. This […]| QualityInspection.org
India has overtaken China as the top smartphone exporter to the U.S. in 2025. Discover why this shift happened, the role of Apple, and what it means for your supply chain strategy.| QualityInspection.org
Do you prefer to work with an OEM, an ODM, or a CM? What are their pros and cons? And, first of all, what do these 3 acronyms mean?| QualityInspection.org
Explore key terms you'll need to discuss when negotiating with Chinese suppliers. You need to know what to ask and how to respond if they act unreasonably.| QualityInspection.org
People who want to develop their own product often go for a shortcut: working with an ODM. However, that's when things get pretty risky for the buyer!| QualityInspection.org
Meet the top 14 contract manufacturers in S China who can help importers create their new products! Read an overview of each and choose your new supplier.| QualityInspection.org
Learn why packaging is important for product protection & differentiation. They don't need to be exclusive. Is it time you gave your packaging a fresh look?| QualityInspection.org
Kevin Howard, packaging engineer and owner of Packnomics, lifts the lid on everything hardware startups need to know about design for distribution.| QualityInspection.org
New product introduction is a complex process to master, and SMEs and hardware startups we often work with find it very challenging and seek our help to devise and manage the different steps in order to get into mass production on time, on budget, and with products that are reliable, safe, and good quality. We […]| QualityInspection.org
Explore a product development framework that may change how you approach development: the evolution from Minimum Viable Products to SLC Products (Simple, Lovable, and Complete).| QualityInspection.org
Trump intends to add tariffs to products…with a focus on those from China. So, how do we navigate those upcoming USA tariffs? Find out.| QualityInspection.org
You don't want your new product to get stuck in product development limbo and suffer from long delays. Here's when to engage a manufacturer.| QualityInspection.org
Andrew Amirnovin introduces 7 key New Product Introduction tasks that will help ensure a successful product launch for your product.| QualityInspection.org
