The Complete Guide to Finding a China Factory
From product definition and longlisting to sampling, auditing, production, inspection and long-term supplier management.
The ten-step path
- Define the product; 2. Build a longlist; 3. Decide factory or trader; 4. Compare quotes; 5. Arrange samples; 6. Audit; 7. Set quality standards; 8. Plan production; 9. Inspect and ship; 10. Maintain the relationship.
The operating principle
Leave a checkable record at every step: specification, quote version, sample log, audit, quality standard and shipping file. Supplier selection is a traceable decision chain, not a one-off search.
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Sourcing information earns its value when it is verified, compared and turned into a decision.