Sofeast Knowledgebase Blog

You can’t visit suppliers in China due to coronavirus. How can you validate their production capacity without going on-site? As we head into 2021 travelling to see suppliers in Asia, in particular China, remains difficult for most buyers due to … Continue reading →

We caught up with Simon Caballero, a Hanoi-based purchasing manager and expert on manufacturing in Vietnam, to discuss the manufacturing landscape in Vietnam in 2021 with a loose focus on the garment industry. I asked him a number of questions, … Continue reading →

Batteries are an integral component for many of today’s electronics, so battery safety testing should be a key concern for importers. Don’t forget that, as the importer of either batteries or electronic devices that include batteries, you’re liable for consumer … Continue reading →

Manufacturers continue to plan the move of some or all of their supply chains out of China? But where next? Perhaps the word ‘exodus’ is a little over-dramatic, but there has certainly been a marked rise in companies trying to … Continue reading →

Sourcing batteries for your new electronic product can be confusing. There are so many different types that selecting the most appropriate in terms of cost, features, and performance can be challenging for buyers… An important part of the electronic product … Continue reading →

Some clients have asked us, ‘how to confirm that a factory has the capacity needed to make our orders, without us being able to fly to their factory?’ The inability to go and meet suppliers on site has been a … Continue reading →

You’ve successfully vetted and started working with a new Chinese supplier. What’s next? In our mini-series on vetting Chinese suppliers, you will already have learnt about due diligence, factory audits and visits, exploring testing facilities, and much more when it comes … Continue reading →

A poorly managed factory in China can cause you lots of problems. No matter if it’s your own factory or that of your supplier, these red flags spell danger for your business. So, what are the 7 telltale signs that … Continue reading →

The Bill Of Materials – more important than you may think! The Bill Of Materials is an incredibly important document which spans the product development process and evolves as you get closer to mass production. It provides all of the … Continue reading →

For anyone who needs to organise inspections soon and is interested in learning more about our range of product quality inspections, I wrote this description along with some key points: