Manufacturing and then importing from Asia / China can seem daunting, especially if you are a comparatively small business and have never thought about Global Sourcing.
The fact is, yes it is tricky, in fact, just being allowed to go into South China (now globally seen as the manufacturing capital of the world) is itself a formidable prospect.
That should not put you off it though. If you can get a good import/manufacture company on the case, you will see the benefits from the first order. There are organisations out there that have great relationships with the best Asian manufacturers, and that really can save you time, effort and money.
Its very important when doing business within the Asian culture, that you understand them, their culture, and how they do their business.
By far the best method of achieving this is to get an organisation on board that can take care of it all for you. What you really want is an experienced company that knows the business protocol of the Asian industries. It is also important that your selected company is well known and trusted in the Asian business world, as this will help you to get the best prices available.
The first clear benefit of global sourcing is of course, the cost. The costs in the Asian economy are far fewer as money is far more valuable (the pound is worth much more) there than in our economy. Therefore they can offer prices that cannot possibly be beaten anywhere else, while still providing an acceptable wage for their staff.
Another advantage is that you can have products manufactured on a larger scale than would be feasible in the UK, both financially and practically. It also allows you to develop alternative supplier resources to stay that step ahead of your competition.
Finding a company that can take this task on for you is extremely important. Good companies in this field have invaluable knowledge, experience and relationships with manufacturers and suppliers all of which are essential in a highly competitive environment.
