The Do’s and Don’ts of Product Assembly in China
As the Chinese manufacturing industry continues to expand, more and more Western companies are turning to the country’s low production costs and abundant resources to complete their product assembly tasks.
Even though this task provides many advantages, there are certain issues associated with it. To ensure a successful product assembly project in China, you need to be familiar with both the do’s and don’ts of the process. This article will list some important aspects to ensure optimum results. Keep reading to find out more.
Do’s
1. Do Understand the Process
To maximize success in working with a product assembly company in China, it is wise to gain a comprehensive knowledge of the related aspects beforehand. These aspects can include pricing, timeline, techniques, and more.
Note that product assembly processes may differ significantly from one another. For example, the costs of assembling an earbud and computers can vary drastically. Therefore, acquiring an understanding of the assembly procedure within your area of specialization is necessary.
Many startup owners or inexperienced newcomers may lack related knowledge and experience in the assembly process, thus potentially resulting in increased expenses and suboptimal outcomes. In this case, doing the appropriate research in advance can help avoid mistakes in future cooperation.
2. Do Due diligence
Despite the fact that Alibaba offers many options for product assembly services, it can be difficult to determine the capabilities and competencies of the providers. It may be helpful to obtain information there but placing an order from it is not recommended due to the risk of encountering fraudulent companies.
If you want to ensure that your product assembly will be completed successfully, you should do due diligence. Researching the manufacturing process and techniques used by the company, ensuring that the company follows safety protocols, and testing the quality of the product are all important steps for due diligence.
It is also important to research any past issues with the company, such as customer complaints or recalls. Furthermore, do ask and check for their business license. Although it is all in Chinese but still good to see it.
3. Do Visit the Assembly Line
Product assembly is one of the most labor-intensive and time-consuming operations in the manufacturing sector, playing an integral role in crafting a finished product.
If you think assembly line workers are responsible for putting together various parts of a particular product, then you are correct in half. The scope of an assembly line worker’s duties varies depending on the company and industry they work for. While some may only be responsible for putting together a single piece of the puzzle, others may need to construct an entire product from start to finish.
In order to be sure of the success of your product assembly project, it is important to visit the product assembly line. This way, you will be able to gain insight into the design of the assembly line, working conditions, and the skill level of the assemblers on the front line. Having a better comprehension of these points can help you decide where extra improvements or guidance will be required to simplify the process and avoid costly mistakes.
Don’ts
1. Don’t Go with Too much Bargaining
It’s always important to get a good deal when engaging in business in China but trying to go too far with negotiations can lead to a lot of problems.
Assembling products in China may not be as simple as you may assume, particularly when you are expecting high-quality results. It requires a lot of time and effort to evaluate, test and complete. It’s not an area where you can cut corners or take shortcuts.
Though the labor costs and raw material costs are lower than those in Western countries, you can’t expect the lowest cost to bring your great services and products. When you try to cut costs too much, you can end up with a less-than-optimal product or service.
Bargaining to a certain extent is necessary but going too far in the process may result in compromising the quality of the items. Remember, your goal is to find a professional partner who can work with you happily and deliver quality products to meet your needs. Thus, it is important to be fair and reasonable in the negotiations, but not be overly assertive.
2. Don’t Forget a Clear Agreement
Upon completing a successful negotiation, don’t forget to make sure all topics you addressed with your supplier are thoroughly specified in the agreement, covering payment conditions, timeline, quality standards, and respective obligations of both you and your supplier.
To safeguard against any potential intellectual property (IP) issues during the collaboration, it is important to remember to register your IP in China. Doing so will provide you with the necessary assurance that your IP will be properly secured in China. Further, a Non-Disclosure Agreement and supplementary contracts should be sought to guard against any potential unauthorized disclosure of intellectual property during the manufacturing and assembly process.
3. Don’t Overlook Governance
To ensure a smooth process when dealing with an unfamiliar product assembly partner, it is essential to put in place rules and regulations for the process.
In addition to setting up related arrangements, it’s wise to have an established strategy in advance to address any potential problems that could occur. A trusted partner in China can be a great help when it comes to creating these plans and enforcing them.
What’s more, to ensure the highest quality in the final product, it would be beneficial to seek help from a third-party quality assurance company that can handle the quality control for you. By taking a proactive approach to governance, you can protect yourself from any costly issues or disruptions that may occur during the product development process.
Partner With a Trustworthy Product Assembly Company in China
Finding the right product assembler in China can be a difficult process, but it’s worth taking the time to get it right. With the right partner on board, you can trust that your project will run smoothly and be completed on time and within budget.
If you are looking to outsource your product assembly project to China, then it is essential to work with a professional OEM company like us Shield Works.
With British roots and Chinese experience, we have a team of bilingual engineers on the ground to offer tailor-made services to meet your requirements. Contact us today to see how we can trust that your project will run smoothly and be completed on time and within budget.