china sourcing
In Asia Advantage•
Top 6 Tips for China Sourcing
Sourcing from China? Check out these 6 basic principles —a guide for newbies and a solid reminder for veterans.
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China Sourcing & Supply Management Blog
Expert insights, industry trends, and practical advice for successful sourcing and supply chain management in China.
supply chain
In Asia Advantage •
Excessive Overtime in Factories: Moving Beyond the Social Audit Finding
Social audits often highlight excessive working hours. This isn't new, but the causes are complex.
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supply chain
In Asia Advantage•
The 7 Strategic Advantages of Engaging a China-Based Fractional Supply Chain Manager
A fractional supply chain manager based in China offers flexibility, expertise, and boots-on-the-ground responsiveness without the overhead of a full-time hire.
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business tips
In Asia Advantage •
Why Managing China Supply with Local Team Members Is a Strategic Advantage
Managing your China supply chain with local team members is a strategic enabler of supply-led competitor advantage. Their presence enhances responsiveness, builds stronger supplier relationships, and ensures smoother operations across the board. In a world where supply chain resilience is more important than ever, investing in local expertise is a smart move for any business sourcing from China.
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supply chain
In Asia Advantage•
Think that a bonded logistics park is your only option for warehousing in China? Think again!
Don’t default to the obvious solution. Challenge assumptions. Dig deeper into alternatives. Match the solution to your actual requirements—not just what everyone else is doing.
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china sourcing
In Asia Advantage •
Why do private label new product development projects keep getting delayed?
Private label drives profit and differentiation—so why do new product development projects keep getting delayed? A common culprit is bottlenecks in the retailer home office.
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supply chain
In Asia Advantage•
How to get a China sourcing insight from Yangmei - a small, round, red fruit native to East Asia.
The humble Yangmei shows the power of understanding China supply clusters.
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quality control
In Asia Advantage •
If suppliers are regularly shipping products that don’t meet your spec, the problem isn't your supplier—it's your process
Sometimes it's good to look in the mirror and sanity check your own processes.
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china sourcing
In Asia Advantage •
Strategic Sourcing: Don't Fragment Your Overseas Spend
Is your organization taking a strategic approach to overseas sourcing, or are you leaving money on the table through fragmented buying?
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supply chain
In Asia Advantage•
From the Archive - China Supply Improvement
This an article that we published on LinkedIn in June 2018. Since then, we have seen more fantastic results of Order Management at Origin and the principles outlined in this article remain the same. Is supplier late delivery pulling down your supply performance? If yes, it may be worth considering setting up an order management team at origin.
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china sourcing
In Asia Advantage •
6 reasons why companies must control forced labour and human rights risks in their international supply chain:
Bottom line: This isn’t just ethical—it’s essential risk management and a business growth enabler.
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china sourcing
In Asia Advantage •
The biggest factory is not necessarily the best factory. The best factory is one that is 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 for 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 spend!
When you’re visiting a factory it’s ok to be impressed with size, but at the same time, make sure you are evaluating suitability and select the one that is 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 for you.
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business tips
In Asia Advantage •
Fun Fact - Why are all the trucks in China painted blue?
They are not all blue, but blue is overwhelmingly the dominant colour. Why is this so?
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china sourcing
In Asia Advantage•
You must get the Buyers to Buy-in before the launch of a new China Sourcing Office
The best supply improvement strategies fail without buy-in. When launching a new sourcing office, communicate plans in advance and get key stakeholder buy-in before launch.
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china sourcing
In Asia Advantage •
Is your China+1 a strategy—or just a comforting illusion?
To have an effective China+1 strategy your alternative supply must be: → Same or lower cost than China. → Not geographically or economically tethered to China. If not, you are adding cost and complexity for no real benefit.
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business tips
In Asia Advantage•
Ningbo: A great location for a China sourcing office
We are a Shanghai company, but our operational offices are in Ningbo. Here is why.
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business tips
In Asia Advantage•
The Road Less Travelled to Supply-Led Competitive Advantage
The new differentiator isn’t IF you source from China—it’s HOW you source from China.
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quality control
In Asia Advantage •
The Power of Pre Shipment Inspections
Pre-shipment inspections are a valuable control that protects your supply chain from disruption, your customers from defective products and your company from financial loss. Pre-shipment inspections have been around for decades but are still not used by many brands and retailers. Here is the case for conducting pre-shipment inspections before shipment release.
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china sourcing
In Asia Advantage•
Beware the lone wolf of international sourcing
Beware the lone wolf of international sourcing - able to fly into China, visit factories, detect issues and single-handedly resolve them before flying back triumphant to the home office.
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supply chain
In Asia Advantage •
The Supply Superpower: Managing Orders at Origin
How to close the gap between delivery on time requirement and delivery on time reality? Consider using the Supply Superpower: Managing Orders at Origin.
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china sourcing
In Asia Advantage•
I used a trading company - am I a bad person?
How to decide whether to work with a trading company or buy direct from factories when sourcing from China.
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china sourcing
In Asia Advantage•
Fast Track to Cost Reduction and Supply Improvement: China Outsourced Sourcing Office
Are you an international brand or retailer that has identified the need for team members on the ground in China but is NOT prepared to establish an entity there? You can take advantage of an outsourced sourcing and supply management service in China rather than establishing your own entity.
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supply chain
In Asia Advantage•
Store-Ready Pallets from China: Unlocking Supply Chain Competitive Advantage
Imagine if you could cut warehousing and distribution costs by over 30% while simultaneously reducing bottlenecks at distribution centres. This is achievable when shipping store-ready pallets directly to stores from China bonded logistics parks.
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china sourcing
In Asia Advantage•
Punching Above Your Weight: How Mid-Market Buyers Can Leverage Relationships for Premium Supply Chain Outcomes in China
How mid-market companies can use strategic relationship building to achieve supply outcomes that rival the largest buyers.
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supply chain
In Asia Advantage •
China Supply Chain Trends: Navigating Transformation in 2025
China's supply chain landscape is undergoing a profound transformation that extends far beyond simple economic indicators. While the country maintains its position as a global manufacturing powerhouse, behind this figure, China's supply chain is undergoing a profound transformation. This is not just a change in the growth rate, but a complete restructuring of the entire supply chain ecosystem. Understanding these shifts is crucial for businesses navigating the evolving global trade environment.
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quality control
In Asia Advantage•
Quality Control Best Practices China
Implementing effective quality control measures is crucial for successful China sourcing. Learn the essential best practices that will protect your business and ensure consistent product quality.
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china sourcing
In Asia Advantage•
Complete Guide China Sourcing beginners
Starting your China sourcing journey can be overwhelming. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know as a beginner, from finding suppliers to managing quality control and logistics.
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