China Manufacturing Decoded

In this episode... Sofeast's CEO Renaud welcomes two guests, Dr. Allen J. Morrison & Dr. J. Stewart Black, to the podcast. These American leadership, strategy, business and manufacturing experts have recently written a new book "Enterprise China: Adopting a Competitive Strategy for Business Success" which was released on December 1st 2022. Renaud read an advance copy of the book before this interview and discusses China's strategies for economic success and also asks some questions about risk analysis and risk mitigation for companies buying products from China.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings & introduction of today's guests. 02:02 - What is 'Enterprise China' about? 03:27 - China's 3-pillar strategy to succeed economically. There are 3 strategic pillars to China's strategy for success. Reducing (or eliminating) their external dependency on importing key technology (03:39)  Dominate domestically (06:00) Winning globally (17:23) 20:55 - Why Western companies seeking growth by looking to the emerging markets may be too late in some cases. 23:44 - How should companies who buy from China do their risk analysis when considering diversifying supply chains to include other sources other than just China? 31:21 - How about a Zero-China strategy? 34:53 - Talking about the book 'Enterprise China,' when it's on sale, and where it can be purchased from. 36:00 - Wrapping up.   Related content... Can We Remove China From Our Supply Chains? [Podcast] Globalism 2.0: North American Importers To Move Supply Chains Out Of China Soon? [Podcast] Nearshoring To Mexico. An Alternative To China? [Podcast] How Sourcing From India Has Changed In 2022 (Part 1: Trends & Manufacturing Landscape) Interested in having a conversation about sourcing from other Asian countries? We can help you.   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Adrian and Sofeast's head of New Product Development, Andrew Amirnovin, delve into the topic of the cost of poor quality and reliability and why the phrase “Pay Me Now, or Pay Me Later" is so appropriate for when engineers talk about it. You'll learn what makes up the cost of GOOD quality and reliability and why this amount is actually dwarfed by the cost of POOR quality and reliability. So if manufacturers don't pay now before production to solve and avoid issues, they're certainly going to pay a lot more later to put them right (if you even can by then)!   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings and introducing the topic. 01:34 - What does “Pay Me Now, or Pay Me Later" mean? 03:34 - Why is the cost of poor quality so important? 05:34 - What is the difference between the cost of GOOD and POOR quality & reliability? 07:18 - What drives up prevention costs? 09:31 - What drives up appraisal costs? 18:40 - What drives the cost of internal failures? 22:56 - What drives the cost of external failures? 26:55 - Our recommendation: Pay now! 30:27 - Key takeaways from this episode.   Related content... What is Design for Quality (DFQ)? What Is “Quality?” Watch 3 quality experts discuss the cost of quality on our YouTube channel What To Do If You Have A High Product Return Rate? [6-step Process] You NEED to do product qualification BEFORE mass production! How To Do Product Reliability Testing?   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Renaud and Adrian from the team are looking ahead to Chinese New Year 2023 which is early next year on January 22nd. Take this as your annual reminder about why the holiday period can disrupt your supply and what you need to do to prepare for it, because in all likelihood your suppliers will be off for a good couple of weeks or so and the time periods surrounding the holiday also throw up challenges, too, which we'll get into...   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings 00:30 - When is Chinese New Year? 02:27 - Be aware if your suppliers are likely to be busy around this time. 05:37 - Why the risk of naughty factory owners taking your money and running is higher just before CNY. 08:54 - Do you have enough inventory to carry you through the holiday? 11:28 - There is a lot of uncertainty in China in the manufacturing industry. 19:13 - Why NOT to have all your eggs in the China basket... 24:12 - Would it be realistic to schedule orders to be produced by suppliers outside of China in and around the CNY period as a way to reduce the risks of disruption of supply? 26:13 - Why the time period before and after CNY is also a 'red zone.' 32:49 - When is it safe to start ordering as normal? 59:03 - Wrapping up.   Related content... Chinese New Year: how to manage the disruption? Can We Remove China From Our Supply Chains? [Podcast] Globalism 2.0: North American Importers To Move Supply Chains Out Of China Soon? [Podcast] DIY Sourcing From China Part 5: Building Rapport & Communication [Podcast]   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Sofeast's CEO Renaud has an interesting guest on this episode: Prof. Neale O’Connor who is a China business and accounting expert and international keynote speaker! Neale examined lots of Sofeast factory audit, product inspection, and manufacturing project data to determine the relationship between factory audits and good-quality products. He also checked thousands of complaints about Asia-wide suppliers from Global Sources data to work out if there were actions that importers could take to mitigate the chances of being scammed. In this episode, you'll hear some very insightful results from his research that can help you source and work with better suppliers, reduce your risks, and avoid scammers!   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings, introducing the topic, and our guest, Neale. 02:10 - Why Neale examined hundreds of our factory audits performed pre-covid to find the main patterns. 06:05 -Why product inspections/audits are different? 08:47 - What is the data saying about the incidents of pass/fail/hold aspects in product inspections? 14:11 - What did the data tell us about factory audits? 19:21 - How to reduce the number of factory audits you need to do if you only plan to work with one supplier? 21:23 - What does the data tell us about complex products? 23:47 - The takeaway from the Sofeast data analysis. 24:48 - Four key ways to avoid being scammed by Asian suppliers. 35:14 - Summary and wrapping up.   Related content... Listen to this 9-episode mini-series where we teach you how to source safely from China and develop the suppliers you’ve found for even better results once you start working together. Click here to listen 👉 DIY Sourcing from China Series Download your free copy of our 80+ page eBook: Ultimate Guide To Sourcing From China And Developing Your Suppliers Sofeast provide you with all of the activities discussed in this episode across Asia: to find new suppliers, perform background checks on them, do factory audits, and inspect product quality Connect with Neale on LinkedIn Tech Asia YouTube channel - see more of Neale's videos here   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Renaud and friend of the show, compliance expert Clive Greenwood, are talking about why today's manufacturers should assess the environmental impact of their productions in China, because of the impending EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) that will demand that products become more sustainable and that you open up your supply chains for scrutiny. They also talk about what Chinese manufacturers think about this and provide some advice on how to get started on becoming compliant. If you sell into the EU now, don't skip this! And if you sell into other developed markets, such as Canada, the USA, the UK, etc, it still applies to you as similar legislation is coming.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings and introducing the topic and our guest, Clive. 03:20 - The sustainability trend is embodied by the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation for putting products on the EU market. What is it? 07:37 - Does product design for sustainability play a role? 09:00 - Are any product categories in the crosshairs of the EU first? 18:00 - What are Chinese manufacturers doing about this sustainability requirement? Do they even know or care about it? 19:35 - Lithium-ion batteries: A growing environmental issue. 28:02 - Are other governments taking notice of this? 30:19 - How do companies usually assess the environmental impact of their products, including extraction and manufacturing? 33:12 - What a mobile phone lifecycle may include, and how ecodesign might affect how it's designed and developed. 39:45 - How will 'Fast Fashion' be affected? 42:30 - What can businesses do to become compliant? 50:51 - Your new commercial decision will not only be about a supplier's costs but also if they're able to assist you to comply with the new Ecodesign regulation. 53:04 - What the product passport includes. 55:18 - Advice for you if you're selling into the EU now. 59:03 - Wrapping up.   Related content... What is the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation? The EU Ecodesign Regulation Is Coming, But Are You Prepared? [Podcast part1] How To Comply With The EU Ecodesign Regulation? [Podcast part 2] If this episode has scared you and you feel you need help to take control and protect your business from being blocked from selling your products into the EU, Sofeast can help you. Take a look at this solution that we offer and speak to us about your project: EU Ecodesign Regulation Risk Assessment & Preparation   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... When designing a new electronic product do you start with the PCB or enclosure? For example, some industrial designers might tell you to start with the enclosure, but this may not be suitable for every project. So to get to the bottom of this, Adrian caught up with our head of New Product Development, Andrew Amirnovin, to get his opinion on which comes first and a list of steps you can follow to help make the decision for your product.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings and introducing the topic 01:53 - Enclosure or PCB design first? There is no steadfast rule and it really depends on the product, the important point is to work out which direction YOU need to go in. 04:52 - 5 elements that will help you evaluate which you should design first. Making sure that you have the following 5 elements will help you make the right decision about whether to design the PCB or enclosure first: 05:37 - 1. Create a Product Requirements Document (PRD). 06:41 - 2. Industrial Design. 08:32 - 3. Product Functionality. 10:05 - 4. Bill of Materials. 10:42 - 5. Competitor analysis and customer feedback. 12:08 - Department heads meet and discuss all of the above in order to make the best decision for their project. 15:50 - Wrapping up.   Related content... Read our comprehensive collection of PCB Assembly & Testing resources and videos Navigating The Product Design and NPI Maze For New Products [Podcast] How Bad Product Design Leads to Many Quality Issues PCBA Schematics Design for Your Production in China Unsure and have questions? Our product engineering team can help you, so contact us if you'd like a no-strings discussion about your project. Visit the Hardware Academy (paid forum)   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Renaud and Adrian investigate what China's current politics might mean for manufacturers with a supply chain there and if 'Zero China' is realistic or even possible. They also talk about minimizing supply chain disruption by following a China +1/many strategy, how to approach doing this, and suitable countries to look at. Finally, they gaze into the crystal ball and make some predictions about how worried importers with Chinese suppliers should be right now given everything that is going on in the world and China politically.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings and introducing the topic: Zero China. 01:52 - What is Zero China? 03:14 - Looking back in history at the origins of the 'China + 1' approach. 04:57 - Garment companies: early adopters of a diversified supply chain. 07:34 - After 2015 politics started changing in China...spurring businesses to adopt China+1/many policies. 18:29 - Looking at Apple as an example. 27:46 - How about SMEs with manufacturing in China? What options do they have now? 35:32 - How about pursuing Zero-China? 43:51 - Should Western companies with Chinese supply chains right now be panicking? 48:02 - Wrapping up.   Related content... Japanese companies explore how to go 'zero-China' amid tensions [Nikkei Asia article] The end of Apple’s affair with China [Economist article] Globalism 2.0: North American Importers To Move Supply Chains Out Of China Soon? Chinese Communism with North Korean Characteristics and “ZERO-China” Interested in sourcing components or suppliers in Vietnam, India, or elsewhere in Asia, but unsure where to start? Sofeast can help you.   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Renaud shares 9 ways that importers who are using overseas suppliers to manufacture their products can save money. Today, more than ever, cost-cutting is important for people at home and in business. Material costs, shipping, and energy costs are all rising, putting the squeeze on importers' profits. So if there are ways that you can get your products made and delivered and shave the costs somehow, they're sure to be welcome. You'll learn how to reduce costs by sourcing great manufacturers, reducing risks during product design and development, reshoring or near-shoring production, optimizing the product inspections you're doing, and much much more!   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings. 00:41 - Pre-chat: Our team member's story when she ended up in a quarantine hospital in China. This episode can be heard here and real photos of the conditions are included: Travel To China In 2022 – Don’t Test Positive! 02:48 - Today's topic: 9 Ways for importers to save money. 03:29 - 1. Avoid big problems on the manufacturing & transportation side. 08:18 - 2. Avoid big problems on the distribution side. 14:04 - 3. Re-engineer your products. 21:42 - 4. Place larger orders with fewer key suppliers to benefit from lower pricing. 23:17 - 5. Use competition among your suppliers to drive down prices. 26:08 - 6. Avoid buying via a trading company if they don't add value that warrants the extra cost (in most cases). 29:49 - 7. Relocate manufacturing. 31:51 - 8. Internalize manufacturing (DIY). 36:21 - 9. Spend money more wisely on inspections, testing, etc. 41:35 - Wrapping up.   Related content... Travel To China In 2022 – Don’t Test Positive! Get help to find great suppliers in China: DIY Sourcing from China Podcast Series Explore a comprehensive new product introduction process Why You Need Mature Product Designs BEFORE Working With A Chinese Manufacturer! 9 Types of Packaging (Benefits, Costs, Sustainability, and more) - Guide for Importers 5 Main Reasons For A High Product Return Rate The Design for X Approach: 12 Common Examples Introduction to Design For Assembly (DFA) Is My Supplier A Trading Company Pretending To Be A Manufacturer? Chinese trading companies and their dirty little secrets Globalism 2.0: North American Importers To Move Supply Chains Out Of China Soon? [Podcast] How to optimize inspections & drive suppliers to improve quality to reduce costs & risks? Sofeast is tracking the costs of China raw materials to help give you transparency and control when dealing with your suppliers Get help with your product inspections and select only those that you need   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Renaud is back with Adrian this time and they're discussing the concept of quality. You'll learn the difference between 'Little and Big Q,' why customer expectations matter, and how to drive quality improvement with your suppliers. Importers know that quality is important, but are you taking a holistic view that can improve product quality as early as the design stage rather than quibbling over defective pieces with your supplier after production is over? After listening to this episode, you'll want to!   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings and Renaud's first in-person presentation in 3 years (!) at the Global Sources show in Hong Kong. You can rewatch Renaud's presentation about how to find the RIGHT suppliers on the Sofeast LinkedIn page 👀  03:27 - Today's topic: What is Quality? 04:42 - 'Little q' quality. 09:45 - 'Big Q' quality. 11:38 - Deming's Total Quality Management principles. 13:36 - Juran: A smart definition of quality. 18:59 - Getting away from 'Little q' quality. 20:35 - Customer quality expectations differ from product category to product category. 23:40 - David Garvin's book: Managing Quality. 35:57 - Summary about quality. 38:40 - Wrapping up.   Related content... Quality Control Plan: Defining Expectations Before Production Product Quality and Reliability Issues: Typical Classification What Is A Quality Assurance Plan? Design for Quality (DFQ) How To Get Better Quality Products From Suppliers & Optimize QC Inspections? [Podcast] Sofeast has an entire range of solutions to help you improve both Little and Big quality in China, India, Vietnam, and elsewhere in Asia!   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Adrian is here with our head of supply chain management live from her Chinese quarantine hotel, discussing what it takes to visit China as of October 11th 2022...a perfect topic for you if you'd like to visit China on business soon. She recently travelled back to China from Europe and explains the various hoops you need to jump through to get into China, what to expect if you test positive for Covid (as she, unfortunately, did), and some tips on how to minimize your risks of anything untoward happening. If you've been planning on visiting China this episode gives you some real truths about how complex it can be, so buckle up...her experience is a bit of a shock! 🙈   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran and Adrian from the team talk about what founders need to do in order to validate their new hardware product idea in the eyes of potential investors. You'll learn about a huge blindspot that many founders have that can easily destroy their chances of success, what potential investors and manufacturers are looking for from a startup and its idea, and some tips on how to get information at an early stage that can positively influence your design before you have even invested in prototypes! If you have a new product idea you want to bring to market, this episode is a must-listen!   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings 00:25 - Pre-chat: Hong Kong has dropped quarantine and is open to visitors! 08:36 - Today's topic: How to validate your new hardware product idea in the eyes of investors? 12:18 - The 3 key risks faced by founders with a new hardware product idea. 14:01 - An example of market risk: A new energy-efficient cooking solution. 22:33 - What to do with the feedback from target customers? 25:59 - The minimum viable product for hardware startups. 27:54 - 2 key milestones investors use to validate a new product and the startup behind it. 30:07 - The Hardware Academy - a good place to get advice. 31:30 - No market research = Higher risk of project failure, lack of investment, and difficulty in working with the best manufacturers. 34:50 - Wrapping up.   Related content... Hong Kong drops pre-flight tests and quarantine for visitors 8 Ways To Get Funding For Hardware Startups How To Develop and Launch a New Product? Feat. Liz Long [Podcast] Read The New Product Introduction Process Guide for SMEs and hardware startups Prototyping Process To Test & Refine a New Product Design Hardware startup founders can get a lot of help and guidance from The Hardware Academy   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran is back with Adrian from the team this week and they're discussing which communication medium is best for communicating with Chinese suppliers, why, and when it should be used.  Learn about WeChat, email, project management software, DingTalk, and much more, as well as the importance of using clear working templates as opposed to 'freestyling' it! Select the wrong medium and it can lead to a breakdown in communication, delays, quality issues, and dissatisfaction all round, so this episode will help you avoid those problems.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings and introducing the topic 01:59 - Common issues that cause communication difficulties 06:43 - WeChat 12:46 - Email 16:11 - Project Management Software 19:31 - DingTalk 23:09 - Working templates 30:00 - Formal legally-enforceable agreements 33:41 - Why templates for deliverables are so important 38:03 - Wrapping up.   Related content... Communication with Chinese Suppliers: Banging Your Head Against the Wall? DIY Sourcing From China Part 5: Building Rapport [Podcast] 7 Signs That Your Chinese Factory Is Poorly Managed [Infographic] Quality Control Plan: Defining Expectations Before Production Learn how to create a valid manufacturing contract in China, with a focus on protecting product IP Sofeast can help check that you're ready to go into production with an NPI deliverables review    Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran is joined by special guest Liz Long, founder of Learn to Make a Product, a platform that supports customers to launch products, providing expert advice and assistance to set up their supply chains, develop products, and go through all of the steps needed to get to market! American new product manufacturing expert Liz shares her own experience, best practices, and tips in this episode to help entrepreneurs and SMEs get an understanding of the first steps required to start developing their own new products. If you've been sitting on your new product idea, hopefully, this episode will give you the impetus you need to start bringing it to market!   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings and introducing the topic: How to start developing your new product 01:27 - Who is Liz Long? 04:00 - How could a would-be entrepreneur start out with their new project and how long before they see 'success' after launch? 06:20 - How long would it take to be ready to launch? 07:40 - Benefits of private labelling VS custom product development from scratch. 14:06 - Are there product types that have a lower barrier to entry or lower investment required to get to market quickly? 20:14 - What tools, sites, and resources are helpful to someone who is developing a new product? 26:38 - Finding the right supplier/factory and if working with an intermediary is OK? 31:42 - The dangers of being overly optimistic when starting. 34:47 - Wrapping up.   Related content... Sofeast can help with your NPI process and product launch, with our engineers and supply chain experts supporting you every step of the way with product engineering solutions for every need.  What is the New Product Launch Process? NPD Project Constraints (3 common examples) What is an NRE Cost (Non-Recurring Engineering)? How to Calculate the Cash Needed to Prototype & Launch your New Product [Podcast] Ultimate Guide To Sourcing From China And Developing Your Suppliers [eBook]   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode! The Sofeast Group's head of New Product Development, Andrew Amirnovin, shares his 8 secrets for successfully implementing a dFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis). This approach will help you de-risk your product design at an early stage, greatly reducing the chances of failure once the product reaches customers. Many businesses and staff members know what the dFMEA is, but not so many know the secrets to successfully implementing it so the preventive actions you come up with 'stick' and you enjoy long-lasting improvements.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings and introducing the topic: dFMEA. 01:29 - What is a dFMEA and its purpose? 04:40 - How to implement the dFMEA (10 steps included in the process)? 09:01 - The 8 secrets of dFMEA implementation that will set you up for success. 17:29 - Wrapping Up.   Related content... FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) definition Risk Priority Number (RPN) definition dFMEA: 8 Secrets for a Successful Implementation 3 Basic Process Improvement Tools: Flow Chart, FMEA, Control Plan NPI Process (New Product Introduction) Process FMEA: Template, Use Cases, and Examples   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser  

In this episode... Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran and Adrian from the team are back and talking about something else you don't want to experience but may if you're unfortunate. A failed product inspection! Renaud will explain to you why the type of inspection matters, a step-by-step process to follow to fix problems highlighted by a product inspection report now, and how to put corrective and preventive actions in place to stop the problem from reoccurring in future production runs.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings & Topic: What happens if a product inspection is failed? 01:56 - What kind of inspection has been failed? 03:42 - Actions you need to take to fix the problem/s now if a final inspection has been failed. 04:10 - 1. Insist that the manufacturer does NOT ship anything until the matter has been investigated and settled. 05:57 - 2. Examine your quality standard, the situation found by the inspector, and what the cause of the gap between them is. 17:56 - 3. Make the right people at the factory aware of the inspection report in a neutral manner to get their cooperation.  20:43 - 4. Get the manufacturer to fix an issue. 25:12 - 5. Order another inspection before shipment to remove doubt. 26:14 - Preventing the same problem from occurring again in future. 32:54 - In summary.   Related content... Sofeast offers an incredibly wide range of product inspections throughout the manufacturing cycle for you to take advantage of across East, SE, and South Asia. Use a Corrective Action Plan after a Failed Inspection How To Fill Out an 8D Report and Fix a Problem in a Factory Fixing Product Quality Issues: MFG vs. Product Design Causes   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran and Adrian kick off the episode by talking about Hong Kong's new and improved immigration and Covid procedures and the heatwaves and droughts in China that have been affecting manufacturing there. The main topic is getting to grips with is calculating how much money is required for prototyping and then launching your new product - a popular question for many entrepreneurs and SMEs who aim to bring their new product concept to market!   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings. 00:37 - How visiting Hong Kong in August 2022 has become easier. 04:20 - What effects are the heatwave and drought in China, especially in the Western provinces of Sichuan and Chongqing, having on manufacturing? 09:13 - The psychological side of launching a new product and how ambition affects a product launch. 14:46 - What are the finance numbers involved? What's your investment required to be ready for manufacturing (NRE costs)?  How much is the unit cost going to be?  What will the selling price be? 22:59 - What's included in these costs? (action & item breakdown) NRE costs Total landed cost per unit (production & shipping cost) 32:39 - Why do many products end up being sold at a loss? 35:06 - Other 'hidden issues' that don't always show up in the calculations. 37:39 - In summary.   Related content... Sofeast can support you when bringing your new product to market in almost all aspects discussed in this episode, for instance, select our NPI support solution Explainer: Hong Kong’s ‘3+4’ Covid-19 hotel quarantine arrangements for international arrivals China drought causes Yangtze to dry up, sparking shortage of hydropower New Product Launch Process What Are Your Non-Recurring Engineering Costs for Production in China? Getting To Grips With Non-Recurring Engineering Costs (NRE) [Podcast] How to calculate landed cost Dangers of Amortizing Development Costs in the Production Price   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran and Adrian from the team discuss product failure analysis. Hopefully, you never need to do one, but if you are hit with quality, reliability, or safety problems with your product during development or, more likely, in the field, it may be necessary to help you decide what to do. This is especially important if problems are severe enough to warrant a recall. Renaud explains what a failure analysis is, when it may be required, and the FA methodology you can follow step-by-step with required actions per step.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings 00:45 - Today's topic: Product failure analysis. 01:18 - The 'firefighting' or 'scattershot' approach to problem-solving by many factories that doesn't work well. What kinds of problems warrant performing a failure analysis? Failure analysis may be required in these 2 scenarios: 06:27 - Failure analysis during new product development  09:41 - Failure analysis after products have been shipped 19:02 - What failure analysis methodology could you follow? 0: Who will work on this analysis and what are the timelines and project context? Gather information  Document any information about the failure  First analysis  Deeper analysis  Containment, if needed  Corrective action plan  Corrective action implementation & follow-up  35:45 - Wrap-up.   Related content... Get help from Sofeast's experienced product engineers to perform your product failure analysis and follow-up testing if required. Missing Important Tasks During DVT Could Result In Damaging Product Recalls! [Podcast] - Philips medical device recall example. Investigating the Causes of Product Failure and Improving Design Why Product Safety, Quality, and Reliability Are Tightly Linked Product Reliability Testing | 7 FAQs 8D Problem Solving Process Corrective action plan + template   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... The Sofeast Group's head of New Product Development, Andrew Amirnovin, is back on the pod with Adrian from the team and are discussing what happens if mistakes are made during the DVT and PVT phases of NPI process. Electronics giant Philips has been in the news due to a huge recall of ventilators and sleep apnea machines that have, unfortunately, caused deaths and injuries. This got us to thinking: What could have caused such a problem to make it into the production of such sensitive medical devices, and what can we learn from this example? Andrew explains that issues like this likely originate in the DVT stage of the NPI process, talks about what activities and testing are included, why they're necessary for your new product launch project and talks about how DVT issues spill over into PVT and then into mass production, too. If you're bringing a new product to market, this story demonstrates why following a detailed new product introduction process that leaves no stone unturned when trying to find potential risks is crucial for manufacturing safe, high-quality, and reliable products.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings, introducing the topic: DVT & PVT, and activities during each NPI phase that are important to bring a successful product to market. 01:44 - What do the acronyms EVT/DVT/PVT mean? 04:42 - The risks of rushing into production without completing DVT thoroughly. 07:43 - The huge Philips medical device recall happening in Summer '22. 11:58 - What happens during DVT to help us avoid product risks and recalls? 16:39 - The need for a solid reliability growth plan. 19:44 - The temptation to rush into production and miss DVT steps. 27:25 - What a reliability engineer looks out for when devising the reliability test plan and use cases. 31:42 - What is PVT and why can it also cause a lot of product issues after production if steps are missed? 40:19 - Wrap up.   Related content... Philips parts ways with CEO in midst of massive recall Philips recalls ventilators, sleep apnea machines due to health risks Listen to The NPI Process: Trouble Awaits If You Skip Its Steps!  Watch a number of videos we created about the NPI process You NEED to do product qualification BEFORE mass production! The NPI Process You Need To Follow For Successful Manufacturing Get help from Sofeast to devise and implement your reliability and durability testing and to help bring your new product to market using our tried-and-tested NPI process   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Sofeast's podcasting duo, our CEO Renaud Anjoran and Adrian from the team are back to talk about strategies that importers who are placing large and valuable orders with their overseas manufacturers and performing a lot of product inspections can follow to optimize the inspection schedule to get better results and, perhaps, reduce costs without increasing risks, and upstream preventive measures that can be put in place to improve quality before and during production that reduce the need for as many inspections in the first place. SMEs and larger companies that regularly do a lot of business with Asian manufacturers could benefit from cost and time savings and reduced risks with this advice.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings 01:05 - Changes to Hong Kong Covid quarantine and news of Covid lockdowns in Yiwu (although not too severe). 11:02 - Today's topic: How to optimize QC inspections and get better results. Why would a business seek to do this? 16:22 - Adjusting inspection type, severity, and regularity could be a helpful cost-saving exercise. 18:26 - What does a business need to prepare before starting an optimization initiative like this? 23:38 - What information should we gather from the supplier's side? 35:35 - Which kinds of importers this upstream product development and process optimization is more relevant to? 37:03 - Delegating inspections to the supplier over time (without raising risks, hopefully). 41:56 - Wrap-up.   Related content... Get a quotation from Sofeast for help from our quality engineers and QA team who will assess your situation and find ways to make the optimizations discussed here: QA/QC Inspection Optimization Services Read more about why Supplier Self-Inspections Are Getting More Popular in China Learn about Switching from Acceptance Sampling to Process Control HK is cutting hotel quarantine to 3 days, plus 4 days medical surveillance How To Switch To A Newer, Better Chinese Manufacturer? [eBook] Why you need a good quality standard Explore boundary/limit samples Read The New Product Introduction Process Guide for Hardware Startups Listen to The NPI Process: Trouble Awaits If You Skip Its Steps!   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... The Sofeast Group's head of New Product Development, Andrew Amirnovin, joins Adrian once again to discuss what the product return rate is and how to reduce yours. He provides a checklist of activities you can take during development to avoid issues that result in returns, and, should the worst happen and you start receiving returns on products that have been sold already, he also gives you a series of activities to follow to triage and fix the problems. Don't miss it, this information could save you a LOT of effort, money, and damage to your reputation!   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings, introducing the topic. 01:17 - Andrew introduces his role as new product development head in the Sofeast group. 02:58 - What is the product return rate? 05:07 - How return rates vary depending on product type. 06:45 - What are the 5 main causes of product returns? 10:37 - 7 Steps you can take to ensure you get as low a return rate as possible BEFORE the product is sold. 25:51 - If a product you’re already selling starts getting returned, what can you do? (6 steps) 33:00 - Some famous product recalls. 36:10 - The role of the NPI process. 38:27 - Wrap up.   Related content... Our foreign-owned and managed contract manufacturing subsidiary Agilian Technology can help you develop and mass produce your new product in China. Read The New Product Introduction Process Guide for Hardware Startups Watch New Product Introduction Process Walkthrough (For New Electronic Products) Listen to The NPI Process: Trouble Awaits If You Skip Its Steps!  Watch a number of videos we created about the NPI process The Takata airbag scandal   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran is joined by Adrian from the team to discuss the dangers you face if buying parts for your product's mass production from Taobao. Taobao is a convenient Chinese online marketplace where you can purchase almost anything, usually at a decent price. If you can jump onto the site and find a vendor and quickly place an order, where's the harm in that? This bypasses a secure sourcing process and impacts your product's quality, safety, and compliance negatively...here's why.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings + why not to take checked baggage on flights within Europe + the UK's 2-day heatwave 😂  01:59 - Today's topic: Why not to buy parts from Taobao to use in mass production? 02:40 - What is Taobao? 10:36 - Scams and other issues on Taobao. 11:32 - Why buying parts from Taobao for use in early proof-of-concept prototypes is fine. 13:00 - More advanced prototypes and mass production are not the same as proof-of-concept. 15:55 - 5 reasons why using Taobao parts for mass production is not a good idea. Batches may vary each time.  The item on your BOM might suddenly be delisted.  You buy subject to Taobao's terms and conditions.  The vendor probably has little liability for performance or quality issues.  They might not be a real company.  27:06 - Could your IP be at risk when dealing with Taobao vendors, and will you get the best price? 28:29 - You can't really pay and get an invoice (fapiao) that is needed for business purchases.  30:58 - The lack of transparency and control. 32:06 - Wrap-up.   Related content... If you really want to check out Taobao, visit their site here (just don't buy production parts!) Get help from Sofeast to source great suppliers and benefit from more stability and better prices. Read our 80+ page eBook: Ultimate Guide To Sourcing From China And Developing Your Suppliers Learn how to source your own suppliers in China by listening to our DIY Sourcing from China Series Does your China factory sell your products on Taobao.com? How to complain about counterfeit/fakes on Taobao   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran is joined again by US East-Coast supply chain and logistics expert, Marshall Taplits founder of Ship It Done. As we get to grips with the new reality of higher shipping and energy costs, delays, and war in Europe, Renaud asks: What is the logistics situation like now in the USA, what will it be like for the rest of 2022, and what might it be like a few years from now. They give their thoughts on cost drivers, near-shoring, the state of China and more, too. If you're interested in global logistics and/or are importing into the USA, this one's a must-listen!    Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings and introduction. 01:49 - Introducing our guest Marshall Taplits. Marshall gives his history and also introduces his business, US East Coast 3PL warehouse: Shipitdone.com and his new warehouse management system, 3PLMax.com. 04:53 - What is the logistics situation in the USA right now (July '22)? 11:25 - Has getting containers into and out of US ports improved recently? 15:15 - Has the change in legislation for truckers in California made a difference? 16:39 - Why energy, gasoline, and diesel costs are a key driver in trucking costs. 18:24 - What might the logistics situation in the USA be like for the rest of 2022 (July to December)? 21:57 - Focusing on China. 27:29 - How might the logistics situation in the USA be in 3 years' time? 33:13 - Have other countries taken a bite from China's business? 36:55 - Wrap-up.   Related content... Sea freight costs falling in summer ‘22. Too early to celebrate? The Impacts of Russia Sanctions on International Trade & Logistics How Do Logistics From China Work for Importers? Types of Incoterms [Guide] What’s Causing The USA’s Logistics Troubles? [Podcast] Logistics Management from Sofeast's supply chain management team - we support you by setting up and managing your shipping from suppliers in Asia to your location with acceptable costs and lead times   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... We wrap up our mini-series of episodes on how to do your own sourcing from China today. Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran has talked you through every stage of the sourcing process, from finding suitable suppliers, negotiating, getting your products manufactured, and building lasting relationships with them. The final topic focuses on improving existing supplier performance, in particular: How to keep their costs under control. If their costs are lower, your costs are lower...   By the way, this is part 9 of 9 of this mini-series, and if you want to go back and listen to every earlier part of this series check out the links below.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings 00:58 - Brief recap of last week's episode about the EU Ecodesign regulation You can listen to both parts on this topic here (Part 1) and here (Part 2). 04:31 - Why should we be concerned about our suppliers' costs? 07:45 - Who may be able to influence their supplier to undertake work to take control of costs. 10:28 - Using sourcing as a tool to control costs. How factory owners or key customers can get their/their supplier's costs under control? 12:48 - 1. You find out what is driving their costs by visiting. 15:47 - 2. Stop buying in large quantities and making large batches. 21:39 - How to make suggestions to the supplier that they will listen to. 26:34 - 3. Tackle manufacturing aspects that are hidden costs. 29:21 - 4. Find hidden office costs. 35:11 - How does India differ from China? 36:44 - Summarising keeping costs under control. 38:11 - Mini-series wrap-up.   Related content... Part 1: Good Fit, Sourcing, Vetting, & Backups [Podcast] Part 2: Negotiations, Terms, Leverage, & Quality Standards [Podcast] Part 3: Project Management & Checking Quality Early [Podcast] Part 4: Final Inspections [Podcast] Part 5: Building Rapport [Podcast] Part 6: Hands-on or hands-off buyer? [Podcast] Part 7: How To Develop Your Chinese Supplier? [Podcast] Part 8: How To Improve Quality From Your Supplier? [Podcast] Quality Assurance In China Or Vietnam For Beginners [eBook] 👈 Download for free The Sofeast group's own contract manufacturing subsidiary: Agilian Technology These resources will also help you understand how to build relationships with suppliers or improve (or end) those that you already have: Get help to find a good manufacturer in China with this free eBook When a relationship turns sour with a Chinese supplier And, if all else fails and you need to ditch your current supplier and switch to a new one... How To Switch To A Newer, Better Chinese Manufacturer? [eBook]   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Sofeast's CEO Renaud is joined again by Clive Greenwood of SMC GLOBAL Manufacturing Consultants, to continue discussing the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation that's going to have quite a significant effect on importers of products into the EU. In part 1 on this topic, they explained what the EU ESPR is and why it's something importers need to start preparing for now. Now, in part 2, they're going to talk you through how to comply with the regulation, providing some actionable advice to get you started.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings & Introduction to today's topic: EU Ecodesign Regulation. 02:26 - Why is product design important? 08:07 - The role of 'Repairability' and 'Maintainability.' 10:12 - The need to document your approach. 12:03 - How product designs will need to change according to the EU ESPR proposal [quotes]. 18:38 - Addressing 'Greenwashing.' 20:47 - Postmarket surveillance. 25:01 - Calculating energy consumption throughout the product lifecycle. 30:11 - Supply chain information will be transparent - suppliers who are more sustainable will be preferred. 34:37 - The example of garments and their supply chain. 37:58 - Detailed traceability & visibility over the supply chain - requirements. 43:18 - ESPR will evolve over time and cause headaches for importers... 46:23 - The key data you need to start collecting NOW. 48:13 - Will ESPR negatively impact SMEs more than large businesses? 52:36 - You have been warned!   Related content... What is the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation? The EU Ecodesign Regulation Is Coming, But Are You Prepared? (Part 1) We support clients to comply with ESPR, too, so if you're stuck or concerned Sofeast's experts can help you get control of your supply chain and become more sustainable REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL (establishing a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products and repealing Directive 2009/125/EC) - if you want to read the forthcoming regulation in full. Ecodesign for sustainable products What is the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)? Sofeast can help you do a full background check on new (or existing) suppliers in Asia We can also source suppliers who provide transparent supply chain information to help you comply with EU demands   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Our CEO Renaud is back with Adrian and talks about a serious problem for buyers: unauthorized subcontracting. This is where the supplier you think is manufacturing your products, outsources the work to someone else that you have no knowledge of and haven't given permission to work on your products. This, obviously, is not a good situation...let's explore it in more detail.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings, catching up with Renaud, and some discussion about his India trip and the various content we created about it (check the links below). 04:13 - Introducing the topic: Unauthorized subcontracting. 05:04 - What is subcontracting/unauthorized subcontracting? 07:45 - Why this happens in China quite a lot and how it affects social audits. What problems does unauthorized subcontracting cause? 12:41 - Non-compliance.  13:41 - Poor quality. 17:51 - IP at risk. 19:26 - Products made in banned areas or staff where slave labor is a concern. How to reduce the risks of unauthorized subcontracting happening? 23:16 - 1. Factory data collection. 26:45 - 2. Plan to improve capacity and reduce delays. 32:40 - 3. Sign a manufacturing agreement with the supplier. 34:09 - 4. Give the supplier a pre-order confirmation. 35:57 - 5. Follow up on production. 36:38 - 6. Utilize unannounced audits. 41:14 - Extra: Travel to China in Summer 2022. 44:13 - Wrapping up.    Related content... How To Create A Valid Manufacturing Contract In China To Protect Your IP Read a whole series of blog posts about vetting Chinese suppliers to help you find a lower-risk supplier Renaud was interviewed about social audits in this news article - unauthorized subcontracting has a serious effect on these Get help from Sofeast to source great suppliers Audit your supplier's processes with one of our process management audits in order to reduce the risks of them not coping and subcontracting Sofeast project managers check on and manage your supplier to assure that the project is on track   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... The Sofeast Group's head of New Product Development, Andrew Amirnovin, joins Adrian to talk about the process of getting a new product to market and, in particular, the one key thing you must do before you start mass production. You'll get a good insight into the different kinds of testing you need to do in order to get your product to market with low risks.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings, introducing Andrew and the topic. 02:25 - What's the difference between validation and verification? 05:59 - What MUST you do before you go into mass production? 13:00 - Is a qualified design and prototype a golden sample? 16:28 - Product qualification. 18:05 - Manufacturing line qualification. 21:02 - Compliance and regulatory qualification. 24: 33 - How to get started with product qualification? 27:40 - In summary.    Related content... Our foreign-owned and managed contract manufacturing subsidiary Agilian Technology can help you develop and mass produce your new product in China. Read The New Product Introduction Process Guide for Hardware Startups Watch New Product Introduction Process Walkthrough (For New Electronic Products) Listen to The NPI Process: Trouble Awaits If You Skip Its Steps!  Should I use a Golden Sample or Limit Samples? Watch a number of videos we created about the NPI process   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Our CEO Renaud and Adrian from the Sofeast team delve into what a great Quality Assurance program for new electronic products looks like, as new products come with a large number of unknown risks (there are many things that can go wrong in terms of components, firmware, testing, production processes, and more, which we'll get into). Controlling these risks has become harder for importers since Covid as it's not always possible to travel to China (and other Asian countries to a lesser extent) easily or at all, meaning that they were not able to oversee the development and manufacturing of their products increasing the risks of them going into production with problems. So, how to use local resources to do Quality Assurance activities to control those risks in your new electronic product, and what does a QA program for new electronics include?   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings, mentioning Renaud's recent trip to India to check out component suppliers. 01:55 - Introducing the topic: Why Quality Assurance is particularly important for new electronics that have a lot of risks. Electronics QA Program 07:21 - Activities to do at the start of product development. 20:34 - Activities do when the design is frozen and we're transferring to manufacturing. 27:49 - Activities to do during mass production. 31:08 - Wrapping up.    Related content... Sofeast provides electronics QA programs for our clients - explore them & get a quotation for your project! Watch as Renaud walks you through a typical QA program in this video Read The New Product Introduction Process Guide for Hardware Startups Watch New Product Introduction Process Walkthrough (For New Electronic Products) Read What Is A Quality Assurance Plan? Listen to The NPI Process: Trouble Awaits If You Skip Its Steps!    Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... Renaud comes to you live from Chennai where he's been travelling around India for two weeks exploring a lot of different types of component suppliers. He reports back on what he's learnt on this visit, how India has been changing, and why there seem to be many reasons now to consider India as an alternative to China for, at least, some of your production. Renaud covers: Which areas he visited & regional differences Political stability What types of suppliers could be alternatives to Chinese counterparts Manual Work VS Automation Where China still trumps India, for now Who has already been moving to India Benefits he found about dealing with factory owners and managers, and their operations, over those in China Is India still let down by a lack of component suppliers for your supply chain? Sofeast does a lot of work in India, and some of our clients are asking about moving sourcing and production out of China to more stable countries. If you're thinking the same, this quick bonus episode will be very educational!   Related content... Read our blog posts about sourcing from India Pros and cons of sourcing products in India vs. China Manufacture in China, Vietnam, India, or Elsewhere? [Podcast] Our local team in India can provide new supplier identification to help you source great components and manufacturers there   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... A common problem that buyers from China particularly suffer from is a lack of transparency and control over their supply chains. Do you know exactly who supplies your main supplier at all times? If the answer is no, this episode is for you, especially if you are worried about compliance, safety, quality, reliability, and the reputation of your business.  Sofeast CEO Renaud and Adrian from the team go over the risks of lacking visibility over your supply chain, why it's becoming even more important, and some best practices that will help you have more transparency and control.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings & Introduction to today's topic: how to increase visibility over your supply chain 03:05 - Does everyone know who's in their supply chain? 05:18 - Background: Regulations coming into action requiring more supply-chain visibility. 11:29 - Real examples of people we've worked with at Sofeast who suffered problems caused by a lack of visibility over their supply chains. 14:06 - Do Chinese suppliers often try to hide supply chain info and why? 19:18 - The drawbacks of NOT having visibility over your supply chain. You will suffer from more unwelcome surprises because if you don't have visibility, you don't have control.  You are at risk of very bad PR.  Product quality issues are probably going to more common.  Production will be more inefficient.  31:19 - Best practices that will help you have better supply chain visibility. Tips if you're developing your own products Tips if you're buying products off-the-shelf Confirm that you're buying from a manufacturer rather than a trading company Have a manufacturing agreement 38:18 - Wrapping up.  Related content... Get help to source suppliers and products from Sofeast 8 Elements of a Low-Risk Supply Chain in China [Webinar] How To Push a Chinese or Vietnamese Supplier for Supply Chain Transparency How To Qualify A Contract Manufacturer Or Component Supplier [Podcast] Developing New Products? Which Suppliers Are The Right Fit For You? Have You Revised your Supply Chain Risk Analysis? 6 Steps and 1 Key To Reduce Subcontracting Risks in China   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser

In this episode... We’re diving back into our series of episodes on how to do your own sourcing from China, from finding suppliers, getting the products manufactured, and through to post-cooperation soft skills such as building rapport with them, following up on production, and today’s topic: Improving the product quality that you’re getting from your now current supplier with 6 tips and best practices from Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran. Who doesn't want better product quality from existing manufacturers, right? By the way, this is part 8 of this series, and if you want to go back and listen to every earlier part of this series check out the links below.   Show Sections 00:00 - Greetings & Introduction 02:29 - Are product defects impossible to avoid? Some advice for getting towards zero defects (with low/no capital investment) 07:53 - The supplier needs to be incentivised to care about quality 10:54 - Tip 1: Beware of batch and queue 15:57 - Tip 2: Local management needs to build up a disciplined culture 21:06 - Tip 3: Getting operators to do some QC work 26:23 - Tip 4: Implement a usability engineering approach & mistake-proofing 31:35 - Tip 5: Clear work instructions & staff training 37:18 - Tip 6: Process controls 41:54 - Wrapping up.  Related content... Part 1: Good Fit, Sourcing, Vetting, & Backups [Podcast] Part 2: Negotiations, Terms, Leverage, & Quality Standards [Podcast] Part 3: Project Management & Checking Quality Early [Podcast] Part 4: Final Inspections [Podcast] Part 5: Building Rapport [Podcast] Part 6: Hands-on or hands-off buyer? [Podcast] Part 7: How To Develop Your Chinese Supplier? [Podcast] Quality Assurance In China Or Vietnam For Beginners [eBook] 👈 Download for free Many more blog posts about quality The Sofeast group's own contract manufacturing subsidiary: Agilian Technology These resources will also help you understand how to build relationships with suppliers or improve (or end) those that you already have: Get help to find a good manufacturer in China with this free eBook When a relationship turns sour with a Chinese supplier And, if all else fails and you need to ditch your current supplier and switch to a new one... How To Switch To A Newer, Better Chinese Manufacturer? [eBook]   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Send us a tweet @sofeast Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel   Subscribe to the podcast  There are more episodes to come, so remember to subscribe! You can do so in your favorite podcast apps here and don't forget to give us a 5-star rating, please: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts TuneIn Amazon Podcasts Deezer iHeartRADIO PlayerFM Listen Notes Podcast Addict Podchaser