Tag Archives: new product introduction

Last updated: April 17, 2026

Rewind: The NPI Playbook — How to Take Ideas to Mass Production (Ep. 20)

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Adrian Leighton

We’re rewinding one of our most popular episodes ever; breaking down the New Product Introduction (NPI) process and why it’s the difference between a smooth product launch…and a costly failure. If you’ve ever: Rushed into tooling too early Hit quality … Continue reading →

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When Early Orders Backfire: The Worrying Cost of Skipping Part Qualification [Podcast]

Posted on March 13, 2026 by Adrian Leighton

When a prototype works well, it can be tempting to move quickly toward mass production. The product works. The concept is validated. Customers are waiting. So the team decides to save time by ordering components early and preparing for production. … Continue reading →

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Can You Afford to Manufacture Your Idea? Budget Truths from Idea to Mass Production [Podcast]

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Adrian Leighton

In episode 305 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian and Paul dig into a question that most new hardware founders don’t really want to face: can you actually afford to take your product from idea to mass production? They unpack the … Continue reading →

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Traffic Lights for Product Success. How Phase Gates Save Time & Money [Podcast]

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Adrian Leighton

Adrian is joined once again by Paul Adams, the Sofeast Group’s Head of New Product Development, based at Agilian Technology, our contract manufacturer, to discuss the importance of phase gate (or stage gate) reviews in new product introduction (NPI). Listen … Continue reading →

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8 Common Project Leaders’ Pitfalls During New Product Development

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Renaud Anjoran

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 →

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Fabricating Tooling BEFORE Final Prototypes: A Necessary Leap of Faith? [Podcast]

Posted on January 31, 2025 by Adrian Leighton

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 →

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From Product Concept to Market: Costs, Milestones, and Pitfalls. [Podcast]

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Adrian Leighton

Adrian and Renaud talk you through the intricate journey of taking a consumer electronic product from concept to market. They discuss the various milestones, tasks, and example costs involved in this process. From the initial product concept and design to … Continue reading →

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Handing Over To Manufacturing: Best Practices [Podcast]

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Adrian Leighton

Adrian and Renaud discuss how to plan for the handover of your innovative new product to manufacturing (with a focus on hard goods with mechanical elements and some electronic/electrical parts).  You’ll learn: What a product handover is. The drawbacks of … Continue reading →

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The NPI Process: Trouble Awaits If You Skip Its Steps! [Podcast]

Posted on January 22, 2022 by Adrian Leighton

After we hit 10,000 downloads we promised we’d revisit New Product Introduction ~ here we go! We’ve written before about the complexity of the New Product Introduction process, and this can be off-putting for entrepreneurs and SMEs who’re new to … Continue reading →

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Why The New Product Design & Introduction Process Is More Complex Than You May Think [Podcast]

Posted on September 18, 2021 by Adrian Leighton

Sofeast’s CEO Renaud Anjoran is joined by an experienced British product designer and friend of the podcast Andy Bartlett to discuss the NPI process and product design best practices for new and unique products, with a focus on the early … Continue reading →

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