If you are involved in a certain online business activity then you will need a trusted and reliable manufacturing company that can manufacture and supply as you need them. Since your business is dependent upon the quality and quantity that the manufacturer can offer hence you must find a suitable company in whom you can invest your time and money.
As an e-commerce entrepreneur, you are most likely to make a big financial commitment. These days, through the internet you can contact manufacturers from anywhere in the world and can tie-u with them who can offer you better cost benefits.
How can you ensure what the manufacturer is promising will also deliver the same? How will you know that you have found the right manufacturer suitable for your business?
If you have a certain product idea that you like to manufacture, however, you have a limited budget, then sourcing from a country like China can be a good option to you. However, how to find the right Chinese manufacturer to get your product?
Also, how to contact China manufacturers can be quite a difficult task, particularly for any new entrepreneur. So, from where should you start? This is what we will discuss in this small article so that you can get a little food for thought.
Where should you start?
There are several sources from which you can obtain leads on any potential Chinese manufacturers including the following:
- You can find a few of them from the industry trade association
- Various online/offline networking groups
- Recommendations from your business contacts
- Various online directories available of overseas manufacturers, e.g. Alibaba and Global Sources, etc.
- Your nearest SBDC
- Various international trade shows
Although there are trade fairs in China in which you can contact manufacturers, however, attending trade exhibitions in the USA that engage Chinese manufacturers is a better starting point.
The global trade show information is available on Trade Show News Network and helps you to know how to contact China manufacturers. You can browse for exhibitors selling similar products to yours and build connections during the show.
How can you narrow down your options?
With the above efforts, you may end up with a very long list of manufacturers, and now for narrowing down your choice you must try to look for:
- Manufacturers producing similar products
You should look for a company that specializes in this sort of product, instead of one that manufactures it only as a side business. Several small Chinese manufacturers may offer to build almost anything, but the quality may suffer as a result.
- Ratings and reviews
Another smart way how to contact China manufacturers will be while searching manufacturers online, you must also check their online reviews and ratings so that you know how others are commenting about the Chinese manufacturer.
- Manufacturers exporting to the USA or any other European countries
Try to focus on those manufacturers who are doing business with certain US-based companies or with any of the European companies, as you can surely expect much better quality from such manufacturers.
Those Chinese manufacturers who have already done business with the companies of advanced countries will more likely to adhere to the following:
- Higher quality standards
- Ability to meet your expectations
- Safety compliance
- Follow the regulations of labelling and packaging regulations
- More experience in international shipping and logistics handling
- Knowledge of handling various red tapes with Government agencies.
- Honesty
Any Chinese manufacturers of repute must be ready to supply you with all details about their business license, quality control documentation, and also any related certifications.
By doing all these exercises, you should be able to shortlist at least 3 to 5 possible Chinese manufacturers with whom you may initiate your preliminary discussion. Also, before you initiate any further discussion, get them to sign a certain nondisclosure agreement, particularly for overseas manufacturers.
Few tips to select a Chinese manufacturer
While researching how to contact China manufacturers, you may come across a massive number of manufacturers and suppliers to select from. So, how can you narrow down your search? Remember the following few tips to help yourself for picking the best suitable manufacturer meant for your business.
- Product quality
It is very important that you receive a well-tested product so that it will meet all the quality requirements before you start selling it to all your customers.
- Minimum order quantity
No Chinese company will be ready to supply you with their product unless you meet their minimum order quantity. The number may depend on the product and its production capacity. Therefore, you must make sure that your order quantity is sufficient and that the manufacturer is ready to work for you.
- Communication
Also, it is important that you can easily contact them, at the same time they are in a position to answer all your queries, particularly when things ever go wrong.
- Price per unit
Make sure that both you and your manufacturer are agreeable on the price front and you must also demand a certain discount if you are making a bulk purchase.
- Payment options
Every supplier or manufacturer may have different requirements. A few most common are as follows:
- PayPal
- MoneyGram
- Western Union
- T/T
- Ensure that you are not dealing with a reseller
Quite often you may come across a dealer rather than any real manufacturer. So try to know where their factory is. China has designated a few cities based on products. For example, all electronics product manufacturers will be from Shenzhen also all textile products are manufactured in Nantong.
- Production
You must also evaluate the production capacity of the Chinese manufacturer to know whether they can meet your demand.
- Ask questions
There may be several questions in your mind that we may not have covered in this short article. This is the right time to make a list of all those questions that you like to ask. The question can be as silly as “how long you have been in this business?” or “do you have business licenses?” etc.
Hiring a Chinese sourcing agent
All the above information is good as far as your quest for how to contact China manufacturers is concerned. However, if you can appoint any trustworthy local agent who is aware of the Chinese market and also local language, then your job can become much easier.
