Sofeast Knowledgebase Blog

For businesses developing and manufacturing in China or other parts of Asia, the journey through the New Product Introduction (NPI) process is complex and filled with potential pitfalls. It’s hard enough to launch a new product, so reducing worries is … Continue reading →

Despite our increasingly digital world, 2D technical drawings remain fundamental in manufacturing. This episode explores why these seemingly old-fashioned documents are still crucial for effective communication between designers, engineers, and manufacturers, and how they complement modern 3D CAD designs.   … Continue reading →

We explore risk assessments and the importance of understanding risks at both macro (project) and micro (product) levels. With practical insights, let’s explore how businesses can identify potential risks in new product development, supply chain setups, and manufacturing processes. Assessing … Continue reading →

President Trump loves tariffs and is using them as an economic and political tool to try to improve the USA’s prospects. If you’ve ever wondered how such tariffs affect the prices of the products you buy, you’re not alone, there … Continue reading →

Switching between Chinese manufacturers is not a decision for businesses to take lightly. There is clearly a beneficial reason or reasons to want the move, such as improved quality or prices, but the transition process is risky. Here we’ll highlight … Continue reading →

Adrian and Renaud are looking into the Angell e-bike brand today. This once-promising French e-bike startup soared in popularity and even had a partnership with the MINI car brand, but is now facing bankruptcy. What went wrong? Was it poor … Continue reading →

As of Jan 31 2025, President Trump declared a national emergency and invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)* to impose additional tariffs on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico (although Mexico and Canada’s tariffs have now been paused … Continue reading →

Let’s explore a critical stage in the new product introduction (NPI) process: Getting tooling for plastic injection molding made before your final prototypes are finished. They discuss the risks and considerations of commissioning tooling before a final prototype is completed, … Continue reading →

In this next post from our Q&A series on disputes with Chinese suppliers, we explore another tricky situation. This time, the issue revolves around a supplier manufacturing a specialty product with design improvements, but failing to deliver a key promised … Continue reading →

As we start the new year and head into Chinese New Year, here’s the monthly update tracking the costs of commonly used raw materials from China for the past year to help you understand the market’s current state. If you or … Continue reading →