Tag Archives: sourcing tips

Sofeast’s Top 5 Podcast Episodes of 2025

As we close out 2025, join us as we review which China Manufacturing Decoded episodes delivered the most value to our audience, measured simply by listener numbers. The episodes below stood out and tackled some of the real decisions importers … Continue reading

Posted in Sofeast Podcast | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Protect Your IP: Strategies for Safely Sourcing Components [Podcast]

In this episode, Adrian and Renaud explore how to avoid leaking your intellectual property (IP) when sourcing components during product development. While working with suppliers, especially overseas, is often necessary, it can also pose significant IP risks. This discussion breaks … Continue reading

Posted in Sofeast Podcast | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tried-and-Tested Factory Visit Checklist: What to Look for and Why It Matters [Free Download]

When you’re vetting a new electro-mechanical products supplier or evaluating an existing one, a factory visit is one of the most critical steps in your quality assurance and supply chain risk mitigation process. In our experience, though, many people walk … Continue reading

Posted in Sourcing Suppliers | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Our Supplier Blackmailed Us! | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 26)

We found this interesting story posted on LinkedIn recently, in which product founder Daniel Rees shared his unfortunate experience with a Chinese supplier who was producing his company’s products, helmets. The supplier, knowing that they relied on him for production, took the … Continue reading

Posted in Disputes with Chinese suppliers | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Near-Sourcing in Europe & Turkey VS Buying from China [Podcast]

Renaud hosts and is joined by Fredrik Gronkvist, founder of Productmkr.com, to discuss near-sourcing from Europe + Turkey (and Mexico for North American buyers) VS buying from China. Fredrik has done a lot of research on how to source from … Continue reading

Posted in Sofeast Podcast | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Sourcing agents may not be right for you when you’re developing a new product

Some companies who develop their new products from scratch choose not to use sourcing agents, and they genuinely don’t feel that it’s necessary. But is this a wise move? Let’s unpack it…

Posted in Sourcing Suppliers | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

18 Steps for Selecting Electronic Components the Right Way

Adrian and Andrew Amirnovin, Sofeast’s reliability expert and our head of New Product Development, return and explore component selection (especially for electronics). This is just one piece of the manufacturing puzzle, but if you get it wrong it will come … Continue reading

Posted in Sofeast Podcast | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Plastic Injection Molds: 8 Tips For When Requesting Quotes

Some companies get to the point where they need plastic injection molds for their innovative product, typically for the enclosure and maybe a few plastic internal parts. Here are 8 tips for actions you should take before you confirm a … Continue reading

Posted in Tips for importers, Injection Molding | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

EU Product Compliance Overview & Tips for Buyers (Feat. Fredrik Grönkvist)

Sofeast CEO Renaud welcomes our friend Fredrik Grönkvist of Compliancegate.com to the show today to discuss all things EU product compliance. Fredrik provides a helpful overview of the common types of banned or restricted substances that you need to look … Continue reading

Posted in Sofeast Podcast | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Manufacturing Alchemy! 5 Ways To Turn A ”Cheap” Product Into A High Profit One

Sofeast’s head of New Product Development, Andrew Amirnovin, is back with Adrian from the team. They’re talking about manufacturing alchemy: taking a cheap product and converting it into a high-profit one! How can importers do this? Andrew shares 5 ways … Continue reading

Posted in Sofeast Podcast | Tagged , | Leave a comment