In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, host Adrian is joined by Vera Roldan, head of the design department at Sofeast, to unpack how industrial design links user needs, aesthetics, and manufacturability. Vera outlines the practical workflow: research, mood boards, sketches, 3D CAD, renders, and tight collaboration with engineering and suppliers; plus why bringing design in early prevents costly rework. They cover differences between electronics and home goods, balancing looks with c...| ChinaManufacturingDecoded.podbean.com
In episode 293 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian is joined by Sofeast’s Head of New Product Development, Paul Adams, for the final part of their trilogy on polymers. When people think of plastics, they usually picture injection molding. But it’s far from the only available process. We'll break down the major polymer processing methods, including injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, thermoforming, rotational moulding, and additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing). Th...| ChinaManufacturingDecoded.podbean.com
Tariffs, shifting trade policies, and unpredictable order patterns are creating a “stop–go” manufacturing environment in China. For buyers, this means unexpected quality issues, capacity crunches, and supply chain instability. In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, Renaud Anjoran and Adrian from the Sofeast team break down the real-world impact of the US–China trade war as of August 2025. Drawing from first-hand observations in Chinese factories, they explain how rapid swings...| ChinaManufacturingDecoded.podbean.com
In episode 9 of the podcast, Adrian and Renaud discuss the different types of suppliers you may encounter in China (and Asia in general), their pros & cons, and what to look out for when sourcing suppliers. Show Notes We react to the worrying news coming out of Beijing about new clusters of coronavirus infections. How could this affect manufacturing in China? (Start to 3:45) As the disputes and rancour between China and the USA rumble on, how are the trade war and the recent push to 'reshore'...| ChinaManufacturingDecoded.podbean.com
Adrian and Renaud chat about a timely topic, the complex and critical issue of rare earth minerals, focusing particularly on how the US/China trade war has recently influenced their availability. As China controls over 90% of the refined production of rare earth elements, recent developments in trade policies have significant implications for global supply chains, especially in the electronics and electromechanical sectors. We break down what rare earth magnets are and why they matter, how Ch...| ChinaManufacturingDecoded.podbean.com
Welcome to episode 251 of China Manufacturing Decoded. In this episode, Paul Adams, head of new product development and a senior engineer, delves into a pivotal question that product creators face: whether to partner with a single full-service contract manufacturer or collaborate with multiple specialized suppliers to bring a product idea to life. Paul discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, offering insights into risk mitigation strategies. Listeners will gain valuable k...| ChinaManufacturingDecoded.podbean.com
Adrian and Renaud discuss the Hardware Product Requirements Document (PRD) and the practicalities of developing successful hardware products. They explore the fundamental questions surrounding a PRD: what it is, why it's used, and the benefits it provides. They discuss how a PRD serves as a critical roadmap for project management, ensuring that all stakeholders—from industrial designers to engineers—are aligned on the product's specifications and target market. The hosts emphasize the imp...| ChinaManufacturingDecoded.podbean.com
