Middlemen in China Manufacturing

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Avela Corporation is a sourcing company, but we are often asked if we are middlemen. We are not. But before we go into the difference between a sourcing company and a middle man—also known as a trading company—allow me to explain why middlemen exist on the China Manufacturing scene. Probably the biggest reason for a middleman is that less than … Read More

Managing Change in China Manufacturing

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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

Alibaba—the Elephant in the Room

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With over 17 years of experience as a premier sourcing company for Chinese manufacturing, we at Avela Corporation have heard a lot about Alibaba. When we hear about it, it is usually from perspective clients who have had bad experiences with businesses they have met through that portal, or they have simply outgrown it. Either way often leads them to … Read More

Five Common Pain Points for Importing

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Avela Corporation has been sourcing manufacturing in China for our clients since 2002 and we have pretty much heard it all. Clients often come to us after having tried to “go it alone” by dealing with a trading company that they may have met at a trade show, through a website on Alibaba or elsewhere. If all goes well, things … Read More

Having the Right Mindset for China Trade

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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

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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

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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

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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 – Someone Has Got to Do the Work

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China Sourcing is an interesting industry and my journey has been long and fascinating. For the past 12 years I have helped companies buy products and services in China and the most important advise for anyone wanting to buy from China is simple: You Have to Do the Work. I guess I could say you “need to do your homework”, … Read More

A break from China Sourcing

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Well usually my mind is on all things China. China Sourcing of products and services is all I think about. But at this time in the holiday season, I like to take a break from sourcing and think about what is most important this time of year. And of course that is family. The latest addition to our family is my daughter-in-law … Read More

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