Steps to getting the goods
Understanding how to source your products is an important piece of your business. Once you have an idea and decide on your items, knowing how to get them is the next step in the process. Here are the steps you should take when sourcing your products.
Know your requirements.
- You will need to decide what materials should be used in production. Depending on your goods, you may have to choose between glass, plastics, or ceramics. The decision may come down to durability and price. Considerations such as size and color will also be important. Each decision you make around your product requirements will need to be shared with your manufacturing partner so they can include them.
Create product drawings.
- Once you have specified your product requirements, you’ll need to generate product drawings. These drawings will be very important to the sourcing process. Product drawings allow the manufacturer to understand every crucial detail, including the die-cuts, logo, and placement of parts.
Gather bids
- Weighing the manufacturing options can be tricky. There’s more to consider than just price. It is important to be clear with your expectations. This includes price, shipping dates, and a clear understanding of your product requirements. Make sure you leave room for negotiations while also knowing your bottom line.
Choose a facility.
- Once you’ve received bids, it’s time to choose the manufacturing facility that’s best for your business. You want to decide where to manufacture and which facility is best equipped to meet your needs. Manufacturing in China could be a good option. Facilities in China tend to be cheaper than US-based facilities. They are also well-versed in working with US companies.
Collect samples.
- Although you have followed the sourcing process, it’s important to see production completely through. You want to make sure that the manufacturer you’ve chosen will provide samples before starting the full run of your goods. This is something you can negotiate during the bidding process. Samples allow you to perform quality checks to ensure your final product is what you need. A sample is your first exposure to your requirements and drawings brought to life.
Understand shipping.
- Once you’ve approved your sample and it has been created in the product line, it’s time for shipping. Understanding the logistics of shipping can be difficult. Manufacturing overseas can have additional layers of complexity. You will need to understand any customs regulations and the time it takes for items to be processed. During the bid gathering and facility choice phases, ask questions about HOW your product will be shipped. The method of shipping will drastically impact your timeline and costs.
Sell!
- Now that you have your product, it’s time to start selling! You’ve worked so hard to get your product created perfectly and on time. It’s now time to market your product and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Hire a sourcing partner.
Lastly, hiring a sourcing partner you can trust is a good idea. A sourcing partner enables you to turn over the manufacturing sourcing process to an expert. The sourcing partner will take your product specifications, gather bids, and assess quality. You will have time to focus on the most important step, selling.
Sourcing agents are a great resource for finding the best manufacturer, communicating your product requirements, and even performing quality control checks.
Global Manufacturing and Sales is ready to be your U.S. and China sourcing partner. Contact us at (732) 970-7800 learn how we can help your business.
