China Sourcing Archives

Managing Change in China Manufacturing

by Gary Young on March 15, 2019 with No Comments

Opportunities abound in China. For our clients, it holds the opportunity to have their products manufactured at the level of quality they need and at price that allows them to be competitive in the marketplace when, for one reason or another, those opportunities are not available from domestic sources. For average Chinese people, the coming of Capitalism to their economy … Read More

Having the Right Mindset for China Trade

by Gary Young on October 19, 2017 with No Comments

As a sourcing agent for manufacturing in China since 2002, one thing stands out to me as most important in dealing with China: mindset. Mindset, attitude, frame of mind, outlook, manner, aptitude, disposition, inclination—there are a lot of words to capture what we are talking … Read More

Observing Change over 16 years of China Sourcing

by Gary Young on August 8, 2017 with 3 Comments

My first visit to China was part of a trade mission trip in 2002, just a year after it entered the World Trade Organization. Back then the place pulsed with potential as the country embraced capitalism as the keystone of its economic reform. As a sourcing agent for manufacturing in China, the intervening years have been a whirlwind as I … Read More

China Sourcing–not screwing it up

by Gary Young on March 2, 2017 with No Comments

Your company has decided that it must source some or all of it’s manufacturing to China in order to… (pick one)1) add to the bottom line.2) make a key product that’s not practical to make locally.3) repurpose your work force to more profitable contributions.4) focus on sales and marketing and not manufacturing.Does one sound like you?Then its a big deal and you can’t afford to … Read More

Sourcing 101 for Your Manufacturing In China

by Gary Young on November 29, 2016 with No Comments

The Value of a Sourcing Agent for Your Manufacturing In China As a business leader, your decision to source in China might not be an easy one. If there were a manufacturing option closer to home, you would probably take it. You know the simple truth, however: in today’s environment, Chinese manufacturing is key to the sustainability of many businesses.You … Read More

China Sourcing: Setting Goals.

by Gary Young on September 3, 2012 with 2 Comments

Having been in the China sourcing business for almost 13 years now, I am often asked what is the most difficult aspect of working in China. My short answer is “Communication”. China manufacturers want to create the product you are asking for. What I have come to appreciate is just how nuanced our thoughts are, and how good communication is taken for … Read More

China Sourcing: Just Showing Up

by Gary Young on December 14, 2011 with No Comments

There is so much advise on the internet on China Sourcing and how to interact with China: how to dress, how to greet, how to eat, what to say, and what to do. Everything you can imagine on your behavior, especially when having face-to-face meetings with Chinese manufacturers. Should I bring a gift or is that inappropriate? Should I wear a suite … Read More

New Life and China Sourcing

by Gary Young on December 13, 2011 with No Comments

Usually I am writing detailed blogs about China Sourcing. But not this time. It is time to take a break from China Sourcing and celebrate life. One of the perks of being in China for over 10 years now is having the privilege of participating, in a small way, in the lives of my staff and friends in China. As … Read More

China Sourcing and Protecting Intellectual Property- Part Two

by Gary Young on December 13, 2011 with No Comments

China Sourcing: My personal experience. To sum up part one briefly, China has a conundrum when it comes to intellectual property. On the one hand, they are the world masters at copying or knocking off. There is a cultural argument, or some might call it an excuse, that it in the tradition of Confucianism, it is considered an honor for your idea … Read More

China Sourcing and Protecting Intellectual Property- Part One

by Gary Young on April 21, 2011 with No Comments

China Sourcing seems precarious. China has a reputation for knocking off or copying products.Â This reputation is well deserved. If you look at it from a neutral point of view, it is kind of amazing. I say amazing because, not only are the accuracy of knock-offs impressive, but the speed of copying a product is breathtaking. On one hand this … Read More