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Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Requirements: What Manufacturers need to know
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Sofeast – Quality Assurance, Product Engineering, Manage Supply Chains
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Sofeast Resources Center
13 Biodegradable Production Materials [Guide]
9 Types of Packaging – Guide for Importers
An Importer’s Guide to New Product Manufacturing in China Guide
China Manufacturing Decoded Podcast
Combined Supplier Due Diligence Checks
Different Types Of Batteries For Electronic Products (Importer’s Guide)
DIY Sourcing from China [Podcast Series]
Eco Friendly Manufacturing Resources
E Waste Impact on the Environment (Analysis)
Lifecycle Impact on the Environment of Textiles and Garments [Analysis]
Understanding The Environmental Impact of EV Batteries
EU MDR Compliance When Developing A New Medical Device in China: High-Level Steps
Freeform Injection Molding Service Bureau in China
Importing & Developing Medical Devices [Resources]
IP Protection in China when Developing Your New Product [Importer’s Guide]
Lithium Ion Battery Safety Guidelines For US Imports
Materials & Processes Sofeast Are Expert In
3D Printing Rapid Prototyping
CNC Prototyping In Metal And Plastic
Die Casting
How to Choose the Correct Outdoor Plastics for your next Product? (4 Guides)
Construction Plastics Popular in the Building Industry
Plastic for Outdoor Signs (2 Appropriate Polymers)
Plastic Outdoor Furniture (Commonly Used Plastic Guide)
Power Tool Plastics (3 Popular Options)
Metal Machining
PCB Assembly & Testing
Plastic Injection Molding Questions: 17 FAQs Businesses Need Answers To
Rapid Tooling Prototyping Guide
Sheet Metal Prototype Fabrication
Silicone Rubber
Sourcing Guides for Internal Use Plastic Mechanical Parts
Living Hinges (The Best Plastic Choice)
Plastic Bearings (Popular Plastic Choices)
Plastic Gears (Top Material Options)
Plastic Shafts (Key Sourcing Factors)
Steel Alloys
The Plastic Injection Molding Process
Thermoplastics
Choosing Plastics for Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology [Sourcing Guide]
Plastic Enclosures for Electronics Projects (Plastics Sourcing Guide)
Plastics For Blow Molding Sourcing Guide
Vacuum Casting Prototyping
Welding
New Product Development Plan Template [XLS + Video]
Product IP Risks & Protection When Manufacturing [Resources]
Product Quality Checklist: How To Prepare It
Products We Have Expertise In And Work On For Customers
Importer Information For Watch Inspection In China and Asia
Importing Shoes From China
Information for Importers of Batteries from China & Asia
Information for Importers of Ceramic Products from China
Information for Importers of LED Products from China
Quality Assurance In China Or Vietnam For Beginners Guide
Sample Inspection Reports
Sofeast Example Quality Assurance Plan (for an electronic product)
Sofeast Example Quality Assurance Plan (for an electronic product)
Templates, Tools, and Checklists
The New Product Introduction Process Guide
Ultimate Guide To Sourcing From China & Developing Suppliers
Vetting Chinese Suppliers [Podcast Series]
Supply Chain Management
China 3pl
Sofeast Fulfillment Benefits
Explore Our Facility For Receiving Your Products Or Components
Terms and Conditions
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Knowledgebase

“What Quality Inspections & Factory Audits Do Sofeast Offer?”
”Enterprise China” – China’s Strategy for Economic Success (Author Interview with Drs. Allen J. Morrison & J. Stewart Black)
”Help! I Have No Idea What Reliability Testing My Product Needs.”
10 Common Problems From Chinese Suppliers & How To Deal With Them [Podcast]
10 Key Factors That Affect Supplier Production Capacity
10 Mistakes New Buyers Manufacturing In Asia Keep Making
10 Nasty Surprises For Small Buyers In China
10 Sourcing Tips & Hacks to help you Find the Right Suppliers in Asia
11 Common Electronic Product Certification And Compliance Requirements
11 Questions to Answer when Sourcing Chinese Contract Manufacturers for Electronics
13 Strategies To Ensure Consistent Product Quality
15 Key Eco Certifications For Green Manufacturers
18 Steps for Selecting Electronic Components the Right Way
2022 Review: Top Stories, Podcasts, and Content from Sofeast
2024 Review: A Year-End Reflection and a Look Ahead [Bonus Podcast]
2026 Manufacturing Trends: Tariffs, China+1, Repairability, AI & ‘Smart’ Factories [Podcast]
27 Questions To Ask During A China Factory Visit
2D Drawings in Manufacturing: A Timeless Tool [Podcast]
3 “Must-Follow” Product Design Optimizations & Best Practices [Podcast]
3 Key Process Improvement Tools You Need To Start Using: Flow Chart, FMEA, Control Plan
3 Key Risks When Switching Chinese Manufacturers
3 Major Supply Chain Risks for FBA Sellers Importing from China
3 New Product Launch Tips for E-commerce Sellers
3 Product Design Approaches And Their Pros & Cons For Made-In-China Products
3 Quality Control Plans & Why They’re Needed BEFORE Production [Podcast]
39 Strategies For Designing Products With A Lower Environmental Impact
3D Printed Circuit Boards: What They Are & How Fast They’re Made
4 Common Problems Importers Of Paper Products From China Suffer From
4 Quality Standard Levels You Should Implement To Reduce Risks [Podcast]
5 Challenges Faced By Importers With Asian Supply Chains Going Into 2022 [Podcast]
5 Tips For Dealing With An Unexpected Price Rise From Your Chinese Supplier
5 Tips for Protecting Your Product IP and Business when Manufacturing in Asia
5-Step Process To Fix Returned Products’ Problems
6 Advantages Of Conducting An Off-Site Product Inspection
6 best Practices When Working With Contract Manufacturers In China
6 E-Commerce Trends Affecting Online Sellers In Late 2021 [Podcast]
6 Manufacturing Questions Answered (100th Episode Special) [Podcast]
7 Key NPI Tasks To Do Before You Take Your Product Into Production [Podcast]
7 New EU Product Compliance Requirements You Can’t Ignore In 2023
7 Reasons Why Your Supplier Won’t Let You Visit Their Factory
7 Signs That Your Chinese Factory Is Poorly Managed [Infographic]
7 Tests You SHOULD Be Doing On Your Hard Goods! [Podcast]
8 Common Project Leaders’ Pitfalls During New Product Development
8 Red Flags To Beware Of When Working with Chinese Manufacturers
8 Tips For Software Companies Bringing A New Hardware Product To Market
8 Ways To Get Funding For Hardware Startups
9 Cost-Cutting Measures Importers Will Love! [Podcast]
9 Questions You Need Answers To When Developing A New Product (Part 1)
9 Questions You Need Answers To When Developing A New Product (Part 2)
9 Things Small Importers Can’t Negotiate With Chinese & SE Asian Suppliers [Podcast]
A Factory Audit On A Small Factory. Worth It?
A New ‘Cold War’ Between The USA & China’s Effect On Manufacturing [Podcast]
A Product Designer’s Tips For New Product Launches
A Sourcing Agent Copied Your Product! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 25)
A Supplier Won’t Release Tooling AGAIN | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 24)
Advice On Choosing Packaging To Protect Your Products [Podcast]
Agilian Technology: Inside Sofeast’s Manufacturing Powerhouse [Podcast]
AI Product Design: How to use AI early during Industrial Design (Examples)
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 Near Disaster! Quality & Reliability Issues?
Analysis of EU Food Contact Product Incidents 2023-24 [Research]
Analyzing Different types of Testing Labs and their Activities [Podcast]
Angell e-Bikes Rise and Fall: A Cautionary Design and Manufacturing Tale [Podcast]
Answering 3 Common Component, Production, and Inventory FAQs
Answering 4 Listener Questions On Our Podcast (July ’23)
Apple Ramp Up iPhone & Airpods Production In India. What Challenges Await?
Apple Vision Pro Cracks! Reliability Problems Already? [Bonus Podcast]
Are Suppliers We Find On Alibaba.com And GlobalSources.com Trustworthy?
Are Trade Shows Still Worth It? How to Find and Assess Suppliers [Podcast]
Are You Building What People Will Actually Buy? How to Validate Demand, Customers, and Features [Podcast]
Automation’s Impact on Global Supply Chains. Book Deep Dive. [Podcast]
Avoid Sending Immature Product Designs to a Chinese Manufacturer!
Bangalore PCBA Suppliers (Ground Level Insights – April 2025)
Battery Safety Testing 101 For Buyers + Videos
Before You Hire Freelance Hardware Engineers: 4 Safeguards
Beware! QC inspections based on AQL & random sampling have limits
Bioplastics’ Key Advantages & Disadvantages
Boeing’s Serious Issue: Bad Manufacturing Habits [Podcast]
Breaking the Mold: How 3D-Printed Tooling Is Revolutionizing Plastic Prototyping [Podcast]
Build Operate Transfer for factories: Can it be implemented in China?
Building Better Systems & Processes For Importers Who Sell Online (Feat. Gianmarco Meli)
Building Quality at the Source: Lessons from Industry Leaders [Podcast]
Buy China Tooling For Plastic Production Abroad? (Benefits & Risks)
Buying Lithium Batteries From China: Key Criteria [List]
Can Getting To Market First Stop Copycats? [Podcast]
Can I trust Chinese steel products?
Can We Remove China From Our Supply Chains? [Podcast]
Can You Afford to Manufacture Your Idea? Budget Truths from Idea to Mass Production [Podcast]
Can you develop a new product, THEN make it comply to the requirements related to medical devices?
Canada, Mexico, and China tariffs: Shots fired in Trump’s new trade war
Carton Shipping Rates Calculator [User Guide]
CE Compliance for Manufacturing in Asia: A Beginner’s Guide
CES 2023: Our Review of the Coolest Products and Niches
CES 2026 Trends: Robots, AI Hardware & Where Manufacturing Strategy Is Headed [Podcast]
Cheap Chinese Suppliers: Beware of those with the Lowest Prices!
Checklist for importers who are manufacturing products in China / low-cost Asia
Children’s Products: How Often To CPSIA Test Samples Without It Costing A Fortune?
China & India IN. The USA OUT? Tariffs, Alliances & Supply Chains [Podcast]
China Manufacturing Agreement: Include A Warranty?
China’s Rare Earth Monopoly: A Looming Supply Chain Crisis? [Podcast]
China’s REAL Business Environment In Late ’23 And How Foreigners Can Set Up A Factory
China’s Shipping Bottlenecks June 2021 – What It All Means For You
Chinese Copycats: A Real Problem For Entrepreneurs?
Chinese e-Bike/Scooter Battery Fire Risks Are No Joke! [Podcast]
Chinese New Year 2022 Is Coming. Here’s How To Prepare. [Podcast]
Chinese New Year 2023 Comes Early. Be Prepared! [Podcast]
Chinese Suppliers: “Are you my factory?”
Choosing the Right Manufacturing Process & Avoiding Production Bottlenecks [Podcast]
Circular Economy Options in Manufacturing: Best to Worst Strategies for Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Textiles
Common Compliance & Recall Risks for Electric Household Appliances Sold in the EU & UK
Common Compliance & Recall Risks for IoT Devices Sold in the EU & UK
Common Compliance & Recall Risks for Packing Materials Sold in the EU & UK (22/23)
Common Compliance & Recall Risks for Bags Sold in the EU & UK
Common Design For Manufacture Improvements On Plastic Injection Molded Parts
Common LVD, RED, and EMC Compliance & Recall Risks for Electrical Products Sold in the EU & UK [Research]
Component-Level Testing And Its Benefits
Correctly Using A Non Disclosure Non Use Non Circumvention Agreement [Podcast]
Cost Vs Quality – How Manufacturers Can Find A Balance [Podcast]
Cross-border Fulfillment from China: A Practical Way to Ship Direct Without Losing Control
Crowdfunding Failures: 4 Great Prototypes That Failed To Launch
Current Manufacturer Not Up To Scratch? Here’s How To Leave Them [Podcast]
Design for Reliability Secrets [Podcast]
Design to Cost: Hit Your Price Target Before Production [Podcast]
Designing for Sustainability Is the Easy Part. Making It Work Is Harder.
Designing for Toughness: How to Specify & Achieve the Right IK Rating (Podcast)
Designing New Products With A Cradle To Cradle Cycle In Mind
Developing New Products? Which Suppliers Are The Right Fit For You?
DFM for PCBA – 40+ Improvements
DFMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly): Deep Dive [Podcast]
dFMEA: When to use it and how to get best results [Podcast]
DFX: 12 Product Design Optimizations You Should Consider [Podcast]
Different Prototyping Methods In China Importers Should Know About
Discussing the NPI Process for Effective Product Development
Disputes With Chinese Suppliers: Q&A (Volume 1)
Disputes With Chinese Suppliers: Q&A (Volume 2)
Disputes With Chinese Suppliers: Q&A (Volume 3)
DIY Sourcing From China Part 1: Good Fit, Sourcing, Vetting, & Backups [Podcast]
DIY Sourcing From China Part 2: Negotiations, Terms, Leverage, & Quality Standards [Podcast]
DIY Sourcing From China Part 3: Project Management & Checking Quality Early [Podcast]
DIY Sourcing From China Part 4: Final Inspections [Podcast]
DIY Sourcing From China Part 5: Building Rapport [Podcast]
DIY Sourcing from China Part 6: Should You Be A Hands-On Or Hands-Off Kind Of Buyer? [Podcast]
DIY Sourcing from China Part 7: How To Develop Your Chinese Supplier? [Podcast]
DIY Sourcing from China Part 8: How To Improve Quality From Your Supplier? [Podcast]
DIY Sourcing from China Part 9: Keeping your supplier’s costs under control [Podcast]
Do I Need An EMS Supplier In China To Manufacture My Electronic Devices?
Do NOT Send Samples To China Through Your Country’s Post Office
Do you have enough visibility over your supply chain to satisfy new EU sustainability regulations?
Do You Need a Customized Reliability Test Plan?
Do you need a sourcing agent to buy from China?
Do You Really Need A Sourcing Agent in China Or Can You Do It Yourself?
Don’t Have the Gerber Files From Your Supplier? Here’s What Happens Next | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 32)
Electronic Product Inspections For New Products: What’s Appropriate?
Elon Musk Biography: DFM Learnings and more!
Elon Musk’s New Product Introduction Philosophy: What Can We Learn? [Podcast]
EU Batteries and Waste Batteries Regulation (2023): How Will It Impact Portable Electronics?
EU Compliance in 2025: CE Test Reports Aren’t Enough [Feat. Roberth Jonsson of 24HourAR]
EU ESPR is Coming in 2023: Act Now to become more Sustainable. [Podcast]
EU MDR Changes: Are You Selling a Medical Device, and What Class Is It?
EU MDR Update: How To Get a New Medical Device Certified? [Flow Charts]
EU PPWR: Your Technical File Was Complete. It Isn’t Anymore.
EU Product Compliance Overview & Tips for Buyers (Feat. Fredrik Grönkvist)
EU WEEE Directive: Introduction For Importers To Europe
Exploring 9 Quality Management Challenges in China [Podcast]
Exploring Apple’s Chinese supply chain and manufacturing success, but are they too reliant on China? [Podcast]
Exploring Apple’s iPhone Reliability & Durability Testing [Podcast]
Exploring Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) [Podcast]
Exploring How To Improve Supplier Performance [Podcast]
Exploring Manufacturing and New Product Development in Vietnam [Podcast]
Exploring MVP vs SLC: Which Framework is Right for Your Product Launch? [Podcast]
Exploring Plastic Injection Molding Pilot Runs [Podcast]
Exploring Product Development Agreements For Importers [Podcast]
Exploring Product Safety & Reliability Issue Liability [Podcast]
Exploring The Benefits Of Rapid Prototyping And Rapid Tooling [Podcast]
Exploring the book: “Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company” [Podcast]
Exploring The Key New Product Development Deliverables [Podcast]
Exploring Why Sea Freight Is So Expensive In Summer ’21 [Podcast]
Fabricating Tooling BEFORE Final Prototypes: A Necessary Leap of Faith? [Podcast]
Factory Audits on New VS Current Suppliers: Safeguarding Quality & Minimizing Risks [Podcast]
Fail‑Safe by Design: Avoiding Catastrophic Product Failures [Podcast]
Fake Kickstarter Projects: Do Crowdfunding Sites Protect Backers?
Fitness Wearable Development Challenges: What You Need to Know Before Manufacturing in China
FOB Risk Of Loss Is A Real Problem. Don’t Be Caught Out!
Freedom to Operate Analysis: Reducing Patent Infringement Risk
Freeform Injection Molding: Using 3D-Printed Dissolvable Molds
From “Poorly made in China” to “Made with Quality in China” [Podcast]
From Product Concept to Market: Costs, Milestones, and Pitfalls. [Podcast]
Further confirmation that India’s exports to North America are booming
Getting Ahead Of The Upcoming EU Product Liability Directive
Getting It Right from the Start: Essential Guide to Working with Manufacturers [Podcast]
Getting To Grips With Non-Recurring Engineering Costs (NRE) [Podcast]
Glass Companies In India List (10 Choices)
Global Supply Chain Shifts: Freight Costs, Dropshipping Hurdles, & Upcoming U.S. Strikes [Podcast]
Globalism 2.0: North American Importers To Move Supply Chains Out Of China Soon? [Podcast]
Gold: 12 DFX Strategies Every Manufacturer Should Know For Product Design Success (Ep. 99 revisited)
Gold: 3 QC Plans You Need Before Production (Ep. 30 Revisited) [Podcast]
Gold: Fix It Before It Breaks: The Power of Preventive Maintenance in Manufacturing (Ep. 40 revisited)
Gold: Manufacturing Contracts in China. Protect IP, Tooling & Timelines (Ep. 21 revisited)
Gold: The NPI Playbook — How to Take Ideas to Mass Production (Ep. 20 revisited)
Good and Bad Methods of Communication with your Chinese Supplier [Podcast]
Handing Over To Manufacturing: Best Practices [Podcast]
Hardware Project Communication: How Small Misunderstandings Become BIG Problems [Podcast Ep. 347]
Hidden Commissions & Kickbacks: How Chinese Agents and Traders Quietly Erode Your Margin [Podcast]
Hiring a Quality Manager in China/Asia: Interview Questions That Reveal True ISO 9001 Competence [Podcast]
How A DFQ Review Designs Quality INTO Your Product At An Early Stage [Podcast]
How a Supplier’s Quality can be Evaluated and Validated
How A Tooling Transfer In China Works With Sofeast (13 Steps)
How Blending Off-site & On-site QA Activities Helps You Reach Your Objectives
How Can Poor Quality & Reliability Products Affect Your Business? [Podcast]
How Can Small Buyers Of Garments Get High Quality From China? – Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 6)
How Chinese Knockoffs Are Killing Innovative Hardware Startups
How Do Sofeast Help Source New Chinese Suppliers? [Process Breakdown + Costs]
How European Importers Can Sue Chinese Suppliers
How Factory Audits, Inspections, and Lab Tests Fit Together
How Factory Equipment Can Make or Break Your Product [Podcast]
How Far Does An NNN Agreement Need To Go To Protect Your IP In China?
How has ‘Post-Covid China’ changed for foreign visitors? (June ’23)
How Important Are Safety/Compliance Laboratory Certifications For Your Made-In-China Product?
How ISO 37301 Might Improve Chinese Suppliers’ Compliance
How Life Cycle Assessments Drive Product Sustainability Changes [Podcast]
How Many Product Samples Do We Really Need To Test For Reliability And Compliance?
How Many Prototypes Are Needed Before We Get ‘Perfection?’
How Much Does a Quality Inspection in China cost?
How Sofeast’s Client Project Management Support Works
How Sourcing From India Has Changed In 2022 (Part 1: Trends & Manufacturing Landscape)
How Sourcing From India Has Changed In 2022 (Part 2: Chennai & Hubli-Dharwad)
How The EU MDR Will Change The Medical Device Industry Forever [Podcast]
How the Iran Conflict Could Impact Manufacturing in China and Global Shipping [Podcast]
How to achieve firmware protection in manufacturing at scale?
How to add Surface Textures to Molded Plastic Parts?
How to Arrange Supplier Self Inspections for QC
How To Avoid Damaging After Sales Quality Problems
How To Bring In Quality Inspectors Without Upsetting Suppliers
How to Calculate the Cash Needed to Prototype & Launch your New Product [Podcast]
How To Check The First Production From A New Plastic Injection Mold?
How To Choose The Right 3PL Logistics Company?
How To Choose Which Factory Audit You Need?
How To Choose Which Product Quality inspection You Need?
How to Claim Compensation from a Supplier? | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 18)
How to Comply with CE and UKCA? [Podcast]
How To Comply With The EU Ecodesign Regulation? [Podcast part 2]
How To Conduct Stricter QC Inspections Without Lowering The AQL? (5 Tips)
How to Cost Your Product Properly (Design-to-Cost Explained) with Paul Adams [Podcast]
How To Create A New Product Inspired By An Existing Design?
How To Create A Valid Manufacturing Contract In China To Protect Your IP
How To Develop A New Laptop?
How To Develop and Launch a New Product? [Podcast]
How To Drive Your Chinese Suppliers To Improve Reliability
How To Dropship From China?
How To Find Suppliers In China [Importer Tips]
How To Find The Best Electronic Component Suppliers in China At The Best Price?
How To Find Trustworthy Chinese Suppliers?
How To Find Trustworthy Suppliers In China In 2021
How To Fix Quality Issues After A Failed Inspection? [Podcast]
How To Get A Quotation For Manufacturing Your New Product?
How To Get Better Quality Products From Suppliers & Optimize QC Inspections? [Podcast]
How To Get Good Manufacturing Performance From Your Factory? [Podcast]
How To Get More Out Of A China Trade Fair Visit For Importers
How To Get the Cradle To Cradle Certification for Your New Product?
How To Get Transparency And Control Over Your Supply Chain? [podcast]
How To Handle Chinese New Year Manufacturing Disruptions?
How To Improve Price Negotiation With Chinese Suppliers? [7 Tips]
How To Keep A Chinese Battery Supplier Honest?
How To Maintain Good Quality When Manufacturing A New Piece Of Apparel?
How to Manufacture a New Product with the Customer Journey in Mind
How to move Plastic Injection Molds between China Factories [10 Tips]
How To Package Tooling Properly So It Doesn’t Get Damaged Or Rust Unnecessarily Quickly In Transit
How To Prepare Your QC Inspection Report
How To Protect Product IP When Working With Contractors & Factories In Different Locations? [6 tips]
How To Qualify A Contract Manufacturer Or Component Supplier [Podcast]
How To Reduce Lead Times From Chinese Suppliers [7 Tips]
How To Reduce Manufacturing Costs? The Lean Approach
How To Reduce Product Inspection Costs?
How To Reduce Quality Defects From Chinese Suppliers (4 Principles)
How To Reduce Risks As Your Order Sizes Grow When Working With Chinese Manufacturers?
How to Reduce Your Product Return Rate? [Podcast]
How To Set Up A Process Control Plan [11 Steps]
How to set up a Receiving Inspection: Checklist, Procedure, Reporting form
How To set Up Your Receiving Quality Inspection [Podcast]
How to Smoothly Transition Between Chinese Manufacturers Without Disruptions
How To Source Rare Electronic Components?
How To Switch To A Newer, Better Chinese Manufacturer? [eBook]
How to Use Reliability Data to Make Better Products & Save Money
How To Validate a Factory’s Production Capacity without Going On Site?
How To Validate Your Supplier’s Factory’s Production Capacity (From Abroad) [Podcast]
How To Work With Industrial Designers? [Podcast]
How Trump Tariffs will Impact YOUR Business
How We Set Up A New Factory In China From Idea To Operation [Podcast]
HS vs HTS Codes: How to Find the Right Code for your Product? (incl. Links to Official Sources)
IF Trump is re-elected, what about US-China Relations? [Podcast]
Impact of Yemen’s Houthis On Global Shipping in Jan ’24 [Bonus Podcast]
Importer’s ‘Supply Chain Spring Clean’ Checklist To Find Risks & Opportunities [Podcast]
Importing From China? 6 Risks You Face In January 2021
Importing from China? Use this product specifications template.
Importing to the USA, HTS Codes, and Tariff Tips (Feat. Owen Haacke of Supply Chain Shark) [Podcast]
Improving Worsening Product & Packaging Quality – Disputes With Chinese Suppliers: Q&A (Volume 5)
Incubator Or Accelerator? What Should A Hardware Startup Choose?
India Gaining Popularity over China as a Near-Shoring and Sourcing Destination
India Overtakes China in US Smartphone Shipments (Q2 ’25): What It Really Means [Podcast]
India’s Efforts To Mitigate Its Environmental Impact (Summer 2023)
Industrial Design for Creating Successful Products Explained with Vera Roldan [Podcast]
Injection Mold Tooling Suppliers: Avoid “Quick and Cheap”
IP Infringement In China. What To Do If You’re A Victim?
IP Protection For Manufacturers. Keep Component Suppliers In The Dark
IP Protection when buying from China (Feat. Dan Harris, China Law Blog) [Podcast]
Is Investing In Process Automation In The Factory Worth It? + Implementation Best Practices [Podcast]
Is It Safe To Receive Packages From China? [Coronavirus FAQs]
Is My Supplier A Trading Company Pretending To Be A Manufacturer? | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 17)
Is Your Chinese Supplier At Risk Of Bankruptcy?
ISO 20400 for Sustainable Procurement: A framework for better global citizens
ISO 9001 QMS Features, Benefits, & Implementation Tips [Podcast]
ISTA Standards for Testing Packaging Reliability [Podcast]
Keeping Sensitive Information Confidential – Disputes With Chinese Suppliers: Q&A (Volume 4)
Kickstarter EVOTRAIL Self-Following e-Wagon: To Good To Be True?
Kitchen Electrical Appliances: Tips for UL & CE Certification
Kraljic Matrix: Sourcing a Strategic Supplier – Are YOU a Good Fit for THEM?
Latest Asia Manufacturing Trends and Upcoming Regulations Overview (Dec ’22)
Lead Time Reduction Strategies [Podcast]
Limitations Of Common Reliability And Safety Testing Standards
List of Aluminum Die Casting Manufacturers in India (10 picks)
List of Aluminum Manufacturers In India (10 Options)
List of CNC Parts Manufacturers in Southern India (10 choices)
List of E Coating Companies In India (10 Picks)
List of India Jewelry Manufacturers (10 Picks)
List of Packaging Companies In India (15 choices)
List of PCB Manufacturing Companies in India
List of Plastic Injection Molding Companies in India (12 options)
List of Powder Coating Companies In India (10 Choices)
List of Silica Gel Manufacturers In India (10 Choices)
List of Textile Testing Labs in South India (10 options)
Listener Q&A: Turning Ideas into Products, Manufacturing Fast, and Scaling Wisely [Podcast]
Logistics from China in 2023 Update: Good News!
Logistics Special (June ’24)! Rising Shipping Costs + FOB vs FCA Incoterms
Look Out For Feature Creep When Developing A New Product!
Low Volume Production in China: What Actually Works [Podcast]
Major Indian Exports (Early ’24) – Hottest Product Categories?
Making Trade Fairs Work for You: PR & Lead Generation at IFA Berlin [Podcast]
Manufacture in China, Vietnam, India, or Elsewhere in 2021? [Podcast]
Manufacturing Alchemy! 5 Ways To Turn A ”Cheap” Product Into A High Profit One
Manufacturing Contract: Fear And Its Impact On Payment Terms
Manufacturing in China for the U.S. in 2026: Tariffs, China+1, and the Real Cost of Moving Production [Podcast]
Manufacturing in China Update July 2024: FDI Down & Made In China 2025 [Video]
Manufacturing Issues Communication Problems With Chinese Suppliers Cause And Their Solutions
Manufacturing Process Controls = Better Product Quality [Podcast]
Manufacturing Safety Challenges In India
Mastering Prototype Accuracy: A Comprehensive Guide [Podcast]
Metal Injection Molding: The Best Process You AREN’T Using [Podcast]
Minimizing a Product’s ‘Cradle to Grave’ Environmental Impact
Missing Important Tasks During DVT Could Result In Damaging Product Recalls! [Podcast]
Mold in the Container: How to Protect Your Shipments from Devastation [Podcast]
More Than Just A Box: Guide To Making Packaging [Podcast]
My Chinese Supplier is making Switching to a New One Difficult! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 23)
My Chinese Supplier Took My Deposit but Didn’t Ship. What Can I Do? | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 30)
My Manufacturer Is Forcing Me To Accept Poor Quality! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 11)
My ODM Electronic Product’s Quality Is Bad, But The Supplier Won’t Help! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 16)
My Supplier Didn’t Prepare My Export Packaging For Checking And More… | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 7)
My Supplier Has Raised Prices Unexpectedly! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 14)
My Supplier Keeps Going Missing, Even When We Have Orders In Progress! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 10)
My Supplier Pushes Back & Makes The Business Relationship More Difficult | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 12)
My Supplier Says Our Quality Inspector Is Taking Bribes! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 15)
My Supplier uses Covid as an Excuse to Prevent Inspections of my Products! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 19)
My Supplier Won’t Provide Important Supply Chain Information! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 13)
Near-Sourcing in Europe & Turkey VS Buying from China [Podcast]
Nearshoring To Mexico. An Alternative To China? [Podcast]
New China Lithium Battery Manufacturing Standard Incoming: Key Points for Foreign Importers
New EU MDR: Who Are The “Economic Operators” For Imported Devices?
New Hardware Product Idea Validation For Securing Investors [Podcast]
New Lithium Battery Validation for an Electronic Device
New Product Launch Plan: How To Get It Right [Action Plan]
North American Product Safety & Compliance Certifications And Requirements For Electronics (UL, ETL, and CSA)
NRE Costs Exposed: How One-Time Engineering Bills Can Sink Your Product (Ep. 49 revisited)
OEM, ODM, Contract Manufacturers: Which Chinese Supplier To Choose?
Off-Site QC VS In-Factory QC
One Thing You Need To Do BEFORE You Start Mass Production! [Podcast]
Our Supplier Blackmailed Us! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 26)
Our supplier is selling our product as their own! | Disputes with Chinese suppliers Q&A (Volume 20)
Our Supplier Made Bad Products and Won’t Put Them Right | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 27)
Our Supplier Refuses To Ship The Goods We Paid For! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 21)
Paid for Your Molds but Can’t Get Them Back? (Mold Ownership in China Explained) | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 28)
Partnering with a Chinese Factory: A Misguided Intention?
PCB Prototyping Methods: 5 Favorites
PCBA Protection: How to Care for the Heart of your Electronic Product [Podcast]
Planning For Effective Pilot Runs [Podcast]
Plastic & Metal Development Prototypes: Uses & Limitations [Podcast]
Plastic Injection Mold Tooling Management & Risk Reduction [Podcast]
Plastic Injection Molds: 8 Tips For When Requesting Quotes
Plastic Injection Pilot Runs: How To Use them To Mitigate Quality Issues
Plastic Playbook: Choosing The Right Polymer [Podcast]
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (August ’21)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (December ’21)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (June ’21)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Apr ’25)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Apr ’26)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late April ’23)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late April ’24)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Aug ’25)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late August ’22)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late August ’23)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late August ’24)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late August ’26)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Dec ’22)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Dec ’24)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Dec ’25)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late December ’23)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (Late Feb ’22)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Feb ’23)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Feb ’25)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Feb ’26)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late February ’24)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Jan ’23)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Jan ’25)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Jan ’26)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late January ’24)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Jul ’25)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late July ’22)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late July ’23)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late July ’24)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late July ’26)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Jun ’25)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late June ’23)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late June ’24)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late June ’26)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Mar ’23)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Mar ’25)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Mar ’26)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late March ’24)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late May ’22)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late May ’23)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late May ’24)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late May ’25)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late May ’26)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Nov ’22)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Nov ’24)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Nov ’25)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late November ’23)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Oct ’24)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Oct ’25)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late October ’22)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late October ’23)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Sep ’24)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late Sep ’25)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late September ’22)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late September ’23)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late September ’26)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (March ’21)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (May ’21)
Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (October ’21)
Polymer Processing Methods Explained [Podcast]
Possible Risks and Insurance Manufacturers and Buyers need in China [Podcast]
Post-Brexit Compliance: Selling in the UK vs the EU. [Podcast]
Power Cuts In China. Why are they happening and how could this affect manufacturing?
Practical Injection Molding Cost Savings That Preserve Quality & Reliability [Podcast]
Price Wars & Quality Fade: What Low Quotes from Chinese Suppliers Really Mean [Podcast]
Pricing, Negotiation, Contracts | Vetting Chinese Suppliers (Part 10)
Producing Private Label Products From Existing Products In China: 3 Supplier Options
Product Compliance For Made-In-China Products [Podcast]
Product Compliance Mistakes That Kill Hardware Projects (Avoid These Early) [Podcast]
Product Tooling: Possible To Avoid Paying for it in Full?
Product Warranty and Warranty Period: What you need to know [Podcast]
Production-Ready? Critical Deliverables & Validations You Can’t Skip [Podcast]
Protect Your IP: Strategies for Safely Sourcing Components [Podcast]
Prototype ≠ Production: The Million-Dollar DFM Mistake [Podcast]
Prototype to Production: 7 Sneaky Pitfalls to Avoid [Podcast]
Prototype, Patent, then Market: A Misguided Concept
Prototyping and Testing FAQs: How many Iterations needed and what Tests to be Safe & Compliant? [Podcast]
Prototyping Essentials: The 5 Key Uses of Prototyping Equipment [Podcast]
Pulling Your Tooling from Chinese Manufacturers: Key Risks and Best Practices
Q&A: Fabric quality + US Tariffs + Volatile material costs [Podcast]
QA Strategy in China: 10 Elements You Should Include
QC During NPI: Build Quality In Before Mass Production [Podcast]
QC inspectors check products against specifications, they don’t validate the product design
QC Trends In 2021 (+ raw material costs and new product development)
Quality Audits VS Process Audits [Comparison and Pros & Cons]
Quality Control Plan: Defining Expectations Before Production
Quality Disputes: Legal Protections for Buyers in China’s Legal System [Podcast]
Quality Fade: Silent AND Deadly! [Podcast]
Quality Inspections Guide: Minimize Risk, Maximize Quality [Podcast]
Quality System Audits vs. Process-Specific Audits
Reliability Validation Testing vs. End-Of-Line Quality Control
Responsible & Sustainable Purchasing Practices in Focus
Retail vs. Amazon FBA vs. D2C: Logistics & Product Prep Clarified [Podcast]
Review Of 2021’s Top China Manufacturing Stories [Podcast]
Revolutionizing Manufacturing with AI: Insights from Bryan DeBois [Podcast]
Richard Barnett | Electronics Supply Chain Risk Management in 2021 [Podcast]
Right To Repair: Blessing or Curse for Manufacturers? [Podcast]
Risk Assessments: Taming Project and Product/Process Level Risks [Podcast]
Robust Design: Enhancing Product Quality and Performance
Selecting the Right Factory Audit for Your Needs [Podcast]
Setting Up a New Factory? First Ask What Problem You’re Really Solving [Podcast]
Setting up Manufacturing in Vietnam vs China: Focus on Vietnam
Shipping Damage Prevention: Why Loose Cartons and Weak Packaging Create Expensive Problems
Should Hardware Startups Manufacture in China, Mexico, or Vietnam to Reduce Tariffs?
Should Tooling Fabrication and Plastic Injection Molding Be Done Together?
Should YOU be wary of the cheapest Chinese suppliers?
Silicone Compression Molding: What’s The Big Deal? [Podcast]
Silicone Production Processes, Properties, And Testing [Videos]
Sofeast QA Program: Reduce Your Risks When Launching New Products
Sofeast’s R&D team compared to other ways to handle prototyping & product development
Sofeast’s Recommended QA Program For New Electronics [Podcast]
Sofeast’s Top 10 Blog Posts Of 2021
Sofeast’s Top 5 Podcast Episodes of 2025
Sourcing & Manufacturing In China For E-Commerce Sellers [Interview By Proboxx]
Sourcing agents may not be right for you when you’re developing a new product
Sourcing Chinese Manufacturers: Western Or Chinese Model? [Podcast]
Sourcing Chinese Suppliers? 7 Expert Tips To Get You Better Results!
Square Pegs, Round Holes: Why the “Wrong” Factory Can Kill Your Product [Podcast]
Stainless steel bottle testing for safety & compliance. How is it done?
Supply Chain Risk Reduction Strategies [Presentation]
Tariffs, Tactics, and Trade Shocks: Breaking Down Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Policy Blitz [Podcast]
Tariffs, Trade Shifts & Tactics: A U.S. Importer’s Guide (Feat. Owen Haacke of Supply Chain Shark) [Podcast]
Tariffs, Trade War, and the Factory Floor: Buyer Risks in 2025 [Podcast]
Technology & Innovation in Freight Forwarding [Podcast]
Technology Readiness Levels: Helpful for today’s manufacturers?
Tesla’s Cybertruck Debacle: Reliability, Politics, & Plummeting Sales [Podcast]
Test To Failure For Your Product – Why?
The 4 Key Stages Of The Toy Development Process
The 7 Most Common New Product Launch Pitfalls in China
The 8–12 Week Tooling Timeline Myth: What Really Affects Injection Mold Tooling Lead Times? [Podcast]
The Benefits of a Feasibility Study (during new product development)
The Dangers of Cheap Li-ion Batteries and the Future of Compliance
The EU Ecodesign Regulation Is Coming, But Are You Prepared? [Podcast part1]
The Experience Effect: The Key to Mass Production Cost Reduction & Efficiency
The Growing Importance of Software in Electronic Product Manufacturing [Podcast]
The Impact Of Chinese New Year On Importers & Tips To Prepare For CNY 2021 [Podcast]
The India Shift: Exploring PCBA Sourcing and Trade Dynamics in a Changing World [Podcast]
The Iron Triangle of NPI: What to Sacrifice: Time, Cost, or Quality? [Podcast]
The Lithium-Ion Battery Cell Manufacturing Process
The Many Benefits Of Preventive Maintenance [Podcast]
The Need For Many Prototypes [FIGO Case Study]
The NPI Process: Trouble Awaits If You Skip Its Steps! [Podcast]
The ODM Trap: When Your Manufacturer Owns Your Product | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 31)
The Rise and Struggles of Smaller E-Commerce Sellers: Lessons from 2015 to Now [Podcast]
The Rise Of The Dragon: Exploring China’s Technology Dominance [Podcast]
The Shore Hardness Test for Silicone and TPE Items
The War In Ukraine’s Effect On Global & China Supply Chains [Podcast]
Tips For Continually Getting Good Results From A New Supplier | Vetting Chinese Suppliers (Part 11) [Podcast]
Tips On How To Get Suppliers To Zero Defects [Podcast]
Tooling Management for Plastic Injection Molds in China
Top 10 FAQs about Chinese Contract Manufacturing: Part 1 (Feat. Paul Adams) [Podcast]
Top 10 FAQs about Chinese Contract Manufacturing: Part 2 (Feat. Paul Adams) [Podcast]
Top 10 Things Affecting Electronic Product Design Costs
Toy Safety Tips: The Right Mindset for Inventors & Designers
Toy Safety, Trade Wars, and Tariffs: Why Compliance Matters More Than Ever (Feat. Thierry Bourret) [Podcast]
Traceability In Manufacturing: Far More Than Just A Safety Net [Podcast]
Traffic Lights for Product Success. How Phase Gates Save Time & Money [Podcast]
Transitioning to Manufacturing from Product Development | 2 Options
Transparent Plastic Parts: PC vs. PMMA & Alternatives
Tried-and-Tested Factory Visit Checklist: What to Look for and Why It Matters [Free Download]
Trump Adds ANOTHER 10% Tariff To Chinese Products [BONUS Podcast]
Trump’s Second Term: Tariff Talks Ignite Global Tensions [Podcast]
Trying to Reduce China Tariffs? Don’t Fall Into the Country-of-Origin Trap [Podcast]
Types Of Batteries For Buyers Of Consumer Electronics [Introductory Guide]
Types Of Printing Techniques Used In Manufacturing [Whitepaper]
Typical Problems with Electronic Contract Manufacturers in China
Typical Reliability Issues in Smart Wearables: Rings, Earbuds, Watches & Smart Glasses (feat. Andrew Amirnovin) [Podcast]
Typical Timelines for Shipping from China to USA: What Importers Need to Know
Unpacking the Product Requirements Document [Podcast]
US–China Trade Truce (Oct 30, 2025): What Changed & What US Importers Should Do Next [Podcast]
USA Logistics & Shipping Summer 2022 Update (Feat. Marshall Taplits) [Podcast]
Using Early Field Failure Analysis (EFFA) to Prevent Product Disasters [Podcast]
Using Real Data to Prove the Link between Factory Audits and Better Quality Products [Podcast]
Vietnam VS China Manufacturers & Digitizing Processes In The Factory [Podcast]
Vietnam-US Trade Deal: Trump’s Tariff Tactics & Transshipment Troubles [Podcast]
We have a product concept. How long will it take to build our prototype?
We Need To Move Our Molds From China To Taiwan. How To Do It Safely? | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 9)
We’re Buying Medical Devices From China And Are Worried Our Supplier Isn’t Legit | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 8)
We’re Suffering from Systemic Supplier Failure in China! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 29)
What A New Buyer On A Small Budget Should Know BEFORE Buying From China [Podcast]
What are your 4 options when sourcing suppliers in China? [Podcast]
What Can We Learn From Our Supplier’s Org Chart?
What Common Improvements Can DFM Make To Die Cast Parts?
What do the USA’s May ’24 China tariffs mean for importers? [Podcast]
What Does Manufacturing In Vietnam Look Like Today In 2021?
What Is “Quality?”
What Is A Process FMEA and When To Use It? [Template]
What Is Agile Design When Developing New Products?
What is an inspection level in ISO 2859-1 and ANSI/ASQ Z1.4?
What is Highly Accelerated Life Testing?
What is Highly Accelerated Stress Screening (HASS)?
What is the AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit)? An exhaustive guide
What is the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation?
What Is The Industrial Design Process For New Electro-Mechanical Products? [Podcast]
What Manufacturing Process Controls Are Important In Battery Factories?
What to do if you have recurring quality problems from your factory? [Podcast]
What To Do If Your Electronic Product Contains Unreliable Components?
What To Do When Production Has Already Started But Problems Keep Appearing [Podcast]
What Went Wrong With Dyson’s $500 Toothbrush? Manufacturing Lessons for Hardware Companies [Podcast Ep. 349]
What’s Causing The USA’s Logistics Troubles? [Podcast]
What’s The Cost Of Quality? [Podcast]
What’s The Most Effective Apparel Development & Production Process? [Podcast]
What’s A Good QA Auditing & Inspection Program For New Products?
What’s in your Bill of Materials? [Podcast]
What’s the real Cost of Poor Quality and Reliability? [Podcast]
When a Textile Order from Bangladesh goes AWOL…
When and How to Switch Suppliers? Detailed Advice. [Podcast]
When and Why a Product Failure Analysis is Required [Podcast]
When Big Brands Get Product Safety Wrong: 6 Lessons for Importers [Podcast]
When Early Orders Backfire: The Worrying Cost of Skipping Part Qualification [Podcast]
When Is Product IP Most At Risk From Copycats? [Podcast]
When to do Design Reviews on Innovative Hardware Products? [Podcast]
When to get a patent for your new product?
When To Sign Off On Injection Mold Tooling? Inside the Journey from DFM to T0→T2 [Podcast]
Where is Chinese manufacturing capacity being relocated to in the Asia Pacific in 2023?
Which Manufacturing Processes Will You Come Across In Asia, And What Are They? [Podcast]
Who To Bring YOUR Product Idea To Life? CM with vertical integration VS Separate Suppliers. [Podcast]
Why “China Plus One” Isn’t What You Think For Electronics
Why A Man-Day For A QC Inspector ISN’T 8-10 Hours Of Inspections
Why Amazon FBA Prep Should Be Done In China (Not The West)
Why Are Pilot Runs So Important When Launching New Products? [Podcast]
Why Assembly and Checking Fixtures provide amazing ROI in the Factory
Why Buyers and Suppliers Skip NPI Steps Before Mass Production [Podcast Ep. 348]
Why Checking Quality During Loading Is A Bad Idea
Why Design Cradle To Cradle Products? [Podcast]
Why Did The Titan Sub And Siemens Gamesa Wind Turbines Fail?
Why Do Importers Need Product Reliability Testing? [Podcast]
Why does new product development take so long?
Why Good Manufacturers Ask So Many Questions Before Quoting You [Podcast Ep. 345]
Why Hardware Projects Stall: Avoiding ‘Failure to Launch’ [Podcast]
Why Is A Pre-Production Sample So Important? [Podcast]
Why NOT doing ESD testing on new electronic products is scary!
Why Pilot Runs Are Non-Negotiable Before Mass Production [Podcast]
Why Pre Compliance Testing Is Critical Before FCC, CE, and UL Certification
Why Product Reliability Testing Is A MUST During Product Design [Podcast]
Why Smart Devices Fail CE RED or FCC Testing & How to Prevent It
Why Social Compliance Audits Often Don’t Work, But Can
Why Taobao is Unsuitable for Sourcing Parts used in Mass Production [Podcast]
Why The Bill Of Materials (BOM) Is A Key Document For Importers [Podcast]
Why The New Product Design & Introduction Process Is More Complex Than You May Think [Podcast]
Why the Taguchi Method will reduce costs, increase quality, and get products to market faster
Why UL Certification for Product Safety is so Important for some Importers [Podcast]
Why Unauthorized Subcontracting Is A Big Problem [Podcast]
Why User Experience Is Harder Than Engineering [Podcast]
Why Version 1 Shouldn’t Be Perfect (And What to Do After You Launch) [Podcast]
Why we say “solutions” not “services” here at Sofeast
Why Working Product Components Fail After Final Assembly [Podcast Ep. 335]
Why Working Prototypes Fail in Production, Part 1: What Changes Before Mass Production [Podcast]
Why Working Prototypes Fail in Production, Part 2: The Failure Patterns and Fixes [Podcast]
Why YOU Need a Product Safety Program
Why You Need Mature Product Designs BEFORE Working With A Chinese Manufacturer!
Why Your New Product Development (NPD) Partner Really Matters [Podcast]
Will A China NNN Agreement Protect Us If We Start Assembling Products There?
Will Our Current Supplier Block The Transfer Of Our Molds To A New One? | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 22)
Your Chinese Supplier Says the Product Is EU/UK-Compliant. But Can You Prove It? [Podcast Ep. 344]

Categories

Tags

FAQs

1. Different interpretations of what’s required from each lab.
3. Ignoring important elements which can decrease risk.
4. Testing every single SKU, or every single substance, to max out costs.
5. Forgetting critical standards for products in more than one category.
6. They assume all needs to be tested in their own labs.
Am I at risk of my Chinese supplier providing me with fake or low-quality batteries that don’t reach my requirements?
Any tips on how to work with your project managers for best results?
Are batteries AC or DC?
Are Sofeast’s warehouses climate-controlled?
Are you responsible for the quality of the production?
Before deciding on a battery technology, what questions should you ask yourself?
Can Sofeast check if our supplier is legitimate?
Can Sofeast develop our electronic product’s firmware or mobile app?
Can Sofeast do design & development work, or do you simply guide that process?
Can Sofeast handle my dropshipping?
Can Sofeast help develop and source our packaging?
Can Sofeast help me create my QC checklist?
Can Sofeast help me draft an ‘NNN’ agreement to protect my IP?
Can Sofeast help me to find suppliers?
Can Sofeast help me transfer tooling from an old to a new supplier?
Can Sofeast help us deal with our production issues?
Can Sofeast help us store our tooling in China safely between productions?
Can Sofeast help us with the certification of our new product?
Can Sofeast inspect medical face masks?
Can Sofeast make a prototype of my product idea?
Can Sofeast perform due diligence checks on companies across Asia?
Can Sofeast provide a regular re-auditing program on my supplier/s?
Can Sofeast recommend reliable/trustworthy suppliers to us?
Can Sofeast sign an NDA before we work with you?
Can we count just 1 man-day for 1 shipment?
Can we pay a price per piece, or a percentage of the order value?
Can we send Sofeast our new product design before we send it to a Chinese manufacturer?
Can you give us the contacts of good factories?
Can you help check molds made by our Chinese toolmaker are perfect before they’re shipped?
Can you help us register patents or trademarks in China?
Can you negotiate better price and terms with Alibaba suppliers than I already did?
Can you search suppliers based on our BOM?
Can’t we just find a standard reliability testing plan and get a quotation for it from Sofeast?
current Sofeast clients provide me with a testimonial for your work?
Do I need to run these checks?
Do manufacturers usually ensure products are reliable?
Do you have MOQs for 3PL solutions?
Do you need shipping insurance?
Do you need to go on-site to audit my supplier?
Do you work with medical products?
Do your quality inspectors confirm that the products are fully compliant based on certificates provided by the factory?
Does Sofeast develop new products in return for equity shares in the business?
Does Sofeast have its own factory?
Does Sofeast operate a testing lab?
Have you confirmed HS code and applicable import duty for your products?
How can we be sure that a vetted supplier’s products are safe for us to purchase right now?
How do I contact Sofeast?
How do we get to Sofeast’s Shenzhen office?
How do we make payments to Sofeast?
How do we start an inspection project with Sofeast?
How do we use sofeast-booking.com to book a product inspection?
How do you calculate the sample size to check in inspections?
How does Sofeast differ to its competitors?
How does Sofeast get paid? With a % on the order amount?
How does Sofeast invoice for services?
How does Sofeast prevent bribery of your staff who go to factories?
How does Sofeast’s R&D team compare to other ways of developing your product?
How is a contract with Sofeast typically structured?
How long does an inspection project take?
How to assess & improve my supplier’s processes when working with Sofeast?
How to calculate how long a power supply will provide power for?
How to calculate import taxes?
How to get competitive product prices?
How to test battery voltage with a multimeter?
How would you advise testing Lithium-ion battery quality?
I ’m developing a new product, is it too early for me to work with Sofeast?
I want to regularly employ Sofeast to perform product inspections. Can you give me a lower price?
I’m importing Lithium Ion batteries into the USA. What are the safety guidelines I need to comply with?
If I want to source a component supplier, can you help?
If our device’s battery was tested by a 3rd party, will we be covered from any liability should the batteries cause problems later?
In case of failures, what are the steps of failure analysis?
Instead of always paying for hours of work, is it possible to pay Sofeast a percentage of the orders?
Is Sofeast a 3PL?
Is Sofeast an intermediary/middleman?
Is Sofeast just a Quality Inspection company?
Is there a reliable website that tracks costs of cold rolled steel, aluminum, zinc, plastics, corrugate, etc?
Li-po VS Li-ion batteries. What’s the difference?
Roughly how long will it take to produce our new hardware product?
So, does Sofeast do the usual work of a sourcing agent?
Sofeast helped develop our product. Can you also manufacture it?
The labs may not take the time to ask certain questions.
We already have suppliers for certain components, etc. Can we still use them if we work with Sofeast?
We are looking for a supplier who’s as cheap as possible, but with acceptable quality. Can you help?
We can find people with lower rates. What justifies your rates?
We have a product idea and we might have to make it in China. What next?
What are factory audits?
What are some of the key battery standards to be aware of?
What are supplier background checks?
What are the average shipping lead-times?
What are the common battery sizes?
What are the issues related to battery disposal?
What are the solutions Sofeast offer?
What confidence can we have in the suggestions you make about product compliance?
What do the inspection reports Sofeast provides clients with look like?
What does battery voltage mean?
What does Sofeast need to know to get started working with me on my new product development project?
What does Sofeast’s 90-point DFM checklist cover?
What does volumetric weight mean for air freight and Express shipments?
What equipment do you have for packing goods?
What equipment do you have for product assembly for fastened products?
What happens if an inspection is failed?
What happens if some of the design work Sofeast’s team does leads to production problems?
What information do battery buyers really need from their supplier?
What information do we need, to quote for reliability & durability testing?
What information does Sofeast need, to give a confirmed quotation?
What is a ‘BOM?’
What is a “man day”?
What is a battery management system for Lithium ion and other secondary batteries?
What is a Quality Assurance program and why do we need one?
What is quality consulting?
What is Sofeast’s office address?
What is the minimum weight of Air Cargo?
What is your sourcing process?
What kinds of products can be quality checked by Sofeast?
What NPI process does Sofeast follow?
What services does Sofeast offer that are related to warehousing and fulfilment?
What should our suppliers know, before sending their goods to your FTZ facility?
What sort of liability does Sofeast assume for product defects occurring after an inspection?
What to expect when working with Sofeast
What type of reliability testing is helpful during product development?
What type of reliability testing is helpful in every mass production batch?
What type of reliability testing is helpful in the pre-production stage?
What types of factory audits do Sofeast offer?
What types of product inspections do Sofeast offer?
What types of products does Sofeast work on?
What types of supply chain management solutions do Sofeast offer?
What’s the difference between a cell and a battery?
What’s the difference between LFP, NMC, and NCA secondary cell chemistries?
What’s the difference between quality and reliability?
When do shipping costs rise?
When should supplier due diligence checks be done?
When Sofeast does R&D work on our product, are we locked into paying a fixed price or do we have flexibility?
When we become a Sofeast client, how is our project managed?
Where can I find a good contract manufacturer in China?
Where can I find out more about Sofeast’s factory audits?
Where can I find out more about Sofeast’s product inspections?
Where can I find out more about Sofeast’s quality consulting? Sofeast
Where can I find out more about Sofeast’s supplier background checks?
Where does Sofeast provide logistics support from?
Where in the world can Sofeast perform product quality inspections?
Which type of batteries are commonly used in portable electronics?
Who are Sofeast?
Who do I speak to if I have issues or questions with the way things are going?
Who does Sofeast typically work with?
Who owns all the intellectual property generated when Sofeast does design/engineering work for us?
Why Can’t Sofeast Take On Our New Product R&D Project?
Why do hardware startups run into problems when launching new products?
Why do you have minimum amounts for some services, like prototyping?
Why does Sofeast have minimum budget requirements for R&D projects requiring product design and DFM, and what are they?
Why to choose a DFM review?
Why would we need a DFM review, and what is its value?
Will the quality of my products be perfect following an inspection?
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Glossary

8D Problem Solving Process
Abrasive Wear Testing
Acceptance quality limit (AQL)
Amazon FBA Selling
Amazon Labeling Requirements
Amazon’s Performance Targets for FBA Sellers
AQL Calculator
AQL table
Bill of Materials (BoM)
BSI ISO 9001 Certification
Carriage Paid To (CPT) [Incoterms]
Carton Compression Test (what it is and its procedure)
Color Material Finish (CMF)
Contract Manufacturer
Corrective Action Plan
Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) [Incoterms]
Critical To Quality (CTQ)
DDU VS DDP Shipping. Which Incoterm To Use?
Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) [Incoterms]
Demurrage vs Detention
Design For Assembly (DFA)
Design For Crowdfunding (Kickstarter & Indiegogo)
Design for Distribution (DFD)
Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
Design for Quality (DFQ)
Design For Sustainability
Design to Cost (DTC)
DMAIC
EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services Supplier)
EXW Shipping [Incoterms]
Fabric Inspection: How It’s Done
FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis)
FOB Shipping (Free On Board) [Incoterms]
Free Carrier (FCA) – Named place of delivery [Incoterms]
Golden Sample in Manufacturing: Definition, Uses, Risks, and Approval Checklist
HALT Testing (Highly Accelerated Life Test)
How Does International Shipping Work?
How to calculate landed cost
How To Check Humidity In Wood And Cardboard
HS and HTS Codes
Inspection levels
ISO 2859 standard
Life Test To Determine Product Reliability
Lot (total ordered quantity)
Measurement And Test Equipment Calibration
Measurement And Test Equipment Verification
Mold Tech Texture Book
MTBF Confirmation Testing (Mean Time Between Failures)
New Product Launch Process
NPD Project Constraints (3 common examples)
NPI Process (New Product Introduction)
ODM (Original Design Manufacturer)
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
One Piece Flow Manufacturing
Packaging Damage
PDCA: Plan, Do, Check, Act
Pilot Run
Plastics Recycling Numbers
POP Test (for EU compliance)
Preventive Maintenance Plan Template
Process Control Plan
Process Flowcharts
Product inspections
Product Teardown
Production Preparation Process (3P)
Prototyping Process To Test & Refine a New Product Design
Quality Assurance vs Quality Control
Quality defects
REACH Testing (for EU compliance)
Reaction Injection Molding Compared To Other Manufacturing Processes
Recommerce
Reinspection following a refusal
Risk Priority Number (RPN)
RoHS Test (for EU compliance)
Sample
Shipping Marks
Supply Chain Management
Sustainable Manufacturing
SynControl Implementation Partnership
The 8 Wastes In Manufacturing (Free Template)
The different names & classifications for face masks and respirators
Trading Companies
Types of Incoterms
Visual Management Boards
What Are Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)?
What Are TRL (Technology Readiness Levels)?
What Does ‘Eco-Friendly’ Mean?
What does biodegradable mean in the context of manufacturing?
What does compostable mean in relation to manufacturing and packaging materials?
What is a 3PL?
What is a battery MSDS (material safety data sheet)?
What Is A Battery Specification Sheet?
What Is A Package Drop Test?
What Is A Package Vibration Test?
What Is A Packaging Atmospheric Conditioning Test?
What Is A PP Sample?
What Is A Quality Assurance Plan?
What is an FAI First Article Inspection?
What is an NRE Cost (Non-Recurring Engineering)?
What is EU RoHS certification?
What is Model Based Definition (MBD) and its benefits?
What is MOQ?
What Is Product Engineering?
What Is Prototype Tooling?
What Is Quality Assurance?
What Is UV Testing & How Is It Performed?
What Is Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)?
What Items Are Recyclable?

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