How to Find a Manufacturer in China

Because of lower costs, manufacturing in China has become popular for companies wishing to produce merchandise at a low initial purchase price. In the past, because of communication difficulties contact with Chinese manufacturers occurred primarily via trading companies. Many manufacturers didn't have export licenses and had to ship manufactured goods through these trading companies. Although trading companies still exist and serve a certain segment of the Chinese manufacturing economy, the Internet, combined with many manufacturers maintaining their own export certification, has made finding Chinese manufacturers easier.

Instructions

1. • 1.Begin searching for a manufacturer once you have a fully developed product concept. If you need product prototyping services, be sure to look for a manufacturer that offers them.2
     
     
     2.Look at one of the many Internet-based indexes of manufacturing companies. Companies that manufacture similar products to the one you have developed can sometimes do custom orders.

3.Contact several trading companies in China to see if they can offer competitive pricing and services. In some cases, having a contact with a trading company that is fully bilingual can help facilitate the manufacturing and shipping processes. Trading companies can often access smaller manufacturers who may either not have export licenses or may not have bilingual staff.

4.Select several manufacturers and trading companies and submit formal bid requests. As part of the bid requests, ask for some manufacturing samples.

5.Compare the bids and services offered by each company. If available, look at manufacturing samples to establish manufacturing quality.

Tips & Warnings

If you have a staff member who is bilingual in Mandarin Chinese and English, you have an advantage in contract negotiation.


Be aware that manufacturing samples are usually the highest quality that a manufacturer can produce and may not be indicative of average quality.


Selecting a manufacturer who has ISO-9000 series certification can help to ensure higher-quality products.