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Path: Sourcing News & Advice
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ways to assure mass production success

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5 ways to assure mass production success

Posted: March 29, 2016

By Li Zhang

Success
in mass production doesn’t happen when solely left to the supplier, but it’s
buyer and supplier working arm-in-arm. Here are 5 ways to assure success in mass
production.

Communication

During
mass production, it’s very important to stay in touch with your supplier. Not
only staying in touch but being available to answer questions and give
confirmations.

Can
you imagine that some Chinese suppliers make rogue decisions because they feel
like their client is not willing to be contacted and help to answer questions?
By the way, this is a cultural feeling, whether right or wrong…

Let
your supplier know that you are always available, especially during mass
production, to help answer questions.

Clearly
define expectations

This
one goes hand-in-hand with communication. If you have not clearly defined your
expectations with
your Chinese supplier, chances are, they will take whatever path in mass
production.

“But
I confirmed a sample”, you may say.

Yes,
but have you:

•
Educated your supplier, during the preproduction phases, to the purpose of the
product? What market, what age group, what function?

•
Clarified what parts of the sample are a must?

•
Informed your supplier the top quality aspects of the product that cannot
waiver?

Control
during mass production

Once
the supplier starts bulk production, this is not the time the buyer goes into
neutral and expects everything by chance of fate to “go right”.

•
Request purposeful photos during certain aspects of the production.

•
Ask your supplier pointed questions to makes sure they stay on their
toes.

•
Have the supplier send you random production samples to confirm.

Motivate
your supplier to assure they’re invested

How’s
your relationship with your vendor? Do they look at you as a 1-off customer who,
regardless of the order’s success, will never come back? Does the vendor see
repeat business.

Assuring a motivated
supplier is synonymous with assuring the order’s success.

Book
a 3rd party factory visit to check mass production

There
are not many situations that should impede you from booking a 3rd party
inspection. These range from US$300 to US$500.00.

By
these 3rd party inspections, you have clarity on the final mass production
quality.

Don’t
leave it up to chance, but along with your supplier, spearhead initiatives and
control the order.

Li
Zhang has worked in international manufacturing and exporting since 2003. She
has served global brands such as Bayer, Coca Cola and Warner Bros. Her
background is in design and engineering. Li is a native of Jiangsu Province and
currently finds herself back and forth between Suzhou, China and the USA.
Contact Li at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need
JavaScript enabled to view it.

, or find her penning manufacturing thoughts at her blog.

Want
to know how to work with factories to produce your unique products? Join
the Smart China Sourcing Summit to learn sourcing best practices, April
17-19, 2016. Co-located with Global Sources 3,000-booth trade show in
Hong Kong. Learn more at http://www.GlobalSources.com/summit

Keep
updated on sourcing best practices and the Summit. Join the Smart China
Sourcing Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/SmartChinaSourcing

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