Related Information:
› Choosing a manufacturer for your product
› Choosing a location for your factory
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Finding a manufacturer and location
If you do a Google search on “manufacturer China,” you will find page upon page of Chinese manufacturers whose specialties range from prom dresses to semiconductors.
The challenge in finding the right manufacturer is to cut through this cast of thousands touting their abilities. The internet and unsolicited emails are not good places to start.
Manufacturing in China, whether you are outsourcing or setting up your own factory, is a huge investment for most New Zealand businesses and the cost of getting it wrong can be crippling.
Getting it right requires thorough research.
Back to topKey learnings
- Thoroughly research your options by doing due diligence on the ground and vetting options.
- If you employ specialist agencies and consultancies, use ones based in China, or with strong links to China.
- Internet research options can be dangerous, but can be a starting point.
- Be careful of the "What do you make? What do you want?" manufacturing generalists.
- Don't read too much into locals' claims of "guanxi" - everybody has a cousin or connection, few turn out to be genuine or useful.
- Investigate what a factory can actually do versus what they say they can do.
- Make sure you are comfortable with the factory's environmental and labour records.
- Visit shortlisted factories - more than just once.
- Consult with Kiwi companies that have "been there, done that".
- Set your quality standards before making any manufacturing commitments.
- Do due diligence on final selections.
Where to from here?
Get advice on choosing a manufacturer for your product or a location for your factory.
