The push to get out of high-cost offices, factories and warehouses in city center locations, continues at a pace in China.A combination of rising real-estate prices for Grade A buildings, 18% average salary increases year-on-year, and a push for a cost-down corporate strategy, ensures that there are few other choices. The China Plus 1 strategy takes you only so far because the strategy always includes at least one location in China.

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It is believed that China offers unprecedented possibilities for economic success in any sector. The country has a large well-educated population and employees work hard against competitive salaries. Roaring stories about business success follow one after another. City-life has improved dramatically and consumption is, after 20 years non-stop economic growth, still buoyant.

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It is clear that Western companies are doing their utmost to market themselves to Chinese businesses.  Over half of all companies included in our study state that they have been targeted by ‘20 or more’ Western businesses within the last year alone.  41% of companies maintain that they are targeted by Western companies at least as frequently as they are by Chinese companies.  Whatever the views we arrive at in terms of the execution of Western marketing and sales campaigns in China, the…

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By David Hunter

Over the last 10 years, on-line purchasing by the general consumer has become commonplace. This trend will continue to grow at double-digit rates for the foreseeable future. Most of the products are high-quality brand names that are recognized by the public. This buying process saves money, transaction time, and allows buyers to return products for a variety of reasons at the supplier’s expense. This is all part of the doing business in America.

Although this works adequately for the general consumer, common sense mandates that it is not a process that would be recommended for manufacturing companies looking to outsource products or processes. Yet, many SMEs fall victim to the allure of on-line sourcing only to find out it costs them money, time
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Quality Control is a crucial part in the process of importing from China. Pressure on production costs, distance, time and cultural differences make it unavoidable.

Implementing Quality Control allows the importer to :
• Minimize the risks (and associated costs) linked to quality, loading, warehousing or non-compliance issues : “My products have been rejected by customs because the labelling done by my Chinese supplier does not comply with European standards.”

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