Sofeast Knowledgebase Blog

When production problems keep appearing, buyers often respond by arranging more inspections. That may contain the immediate risk, but it does not necessarily address the reason the defects are occurring. The first step is to establish whether the problem originates … Continue reading →

A product’s electronics work correctly on the test bench. Its firmware performs as expected. The mechanical parts fit, and each subsystem appears to have passed its tests. Then everything is installed inside the final enclosure, and new problems suddenly emerge. … Continue reading →

Sofeast’s team continues to monitor the cost evolution of key raw materials in China, helping importers and manufacturers stay informed. This latest update from the market analysts we work with reflects changes in RMB costs and percentages over the past … Continue reading →

American startups preparing to launch a Kickstarter campaign are often worried about US tariffs on China-made products. Do you still manufacture in China, or try to do so in Mexico, or Vietnam, in order to reduce potential tariffs?

Trade shows can put hundreds of potential suppliers in front of you within a few days. They can also waste a great deal of time if you arrive without a clear plan. Events such as the Canton Fair, Global Sources, … Continue reading →

Quality problems are often discovered during an inspection, but they usually begin much earlier. They begin when the buyer and supplier have not agreed on what quality means, how it will be checked, who is responsible for testing, or what … Continue reading →

More companies are taking a serious look at setting up a new factory, relocating production, or bringing manufacturing back under their own control. The reasons are understandable. COVID exposed supply chain risks. Tariffs and trade policies have made some China-based … Continue reading →

When shipments are delayed, production is inconsistent, or communication breaks down, it’s often not a single issue; sometimes the problem is the supplier itself. This was exactly the case for a US-based medical supply and equipment distributor we worked with. … Continue reading →

Tooling delays do not usually start when steel is being cut. By that point, the design may already have been released, the tooling order placed, the deposit paid, the launch timeline shared internally, and the first sample date built into … Continue reading →

Sofeast’s team continues to monitor the cost evolution of key raw materials in China, helping importers and manufacturers stay informed. This latest update from the market analysts we work with reflects changes (RMB costs and %) over the past year … Continue reading →