Posts Tagged ‘manufacturing companies in China’
What is IPR Protection and How Does Shield Works Ensure This for Their Customers?
What is IPR and why is it a problem?
IPR stands for Intellectual Property Rights and here at Shield Works we make sure that this is protected at all costs. Here will explain why IPR is important. And how we have IP protection services to make sure your goods are protected from copy-cats.
It’s no secret that the key concern businesses have when considering whether to manufacture in China is the thought that their intellectual property (aka a lot of effort and hard work) will be stolen. A famous example of this was when Ford filed a lawsuit against the Chinese manufacturer JAC in 2012. For more details on this see the website referenced at the end of this blog.
However, as a British owned and managed company, we Shield Works are committed to protecting every aspect of your IP. Therefore, you no longer have to worry about the risk of copy-cat manufacturing. Because we provide an extensive range of services to ensure that your company maintains complete IPR.
How does IPR law work in china?
The laws follow that a company has no formal IP protection if it does not file its patents and trademarks in China.
A patent ‘registers a person’s invention and allows him or her to take legal action against any person who uses, makes, imports or sells that invention without permission’ (‘Patent’, Market Business News Glossary, 2019). Also, it is important to know that there are multiple types of patents. For example,design, inventions and utility model, copyrights and more.
How does Shield Works protect IPR?
In order to support you with full IP and patent protection, our team works in a way that is flexible to your requirements.
Shield Works partners with Innopat, a leading Zhuhai based IP industry expert. They are able to provide our clients with clear, no-nonsense advice and IP protection services. In addition, Innopat is a professional patent and trademark agency authorized by the National Intellectual Property Administration of the People’s Republic of China.
Since 2002, Innopat has been dedicated to the specialized practice of intellectual property law including patent, trademark and copyright law. The firm actively engages in the procurement, enforcement and litigation of intellectual property rights cooperating with foreign IP associates for international IP litigation and patent proceedings in every significant industrial country.
IP protection services we provide in Mainland China:
- Patent Application, Invalidation
- Patent Re-examination
- Public Opinion to Pending Patent Application
- Patent Bibliographic Change & Assignment
- Patent License & Assignment
Understanding the Risks of Outsourced Manufacturing
Are you aware that around 20% of small businesses fail within a year?
Your company must stay afloat, even with a suboptimal budget. It’s tempting to jump to outsourced manufacturing because of convenience and quality. However, it doesn’t come without its risks.
So, what are the things you must be aware of?
First, you must know that it’s not a fool-proof solution. Read the rest of our guide to understand it better.
Supplier Risk
Direct arrangements with suppliers from every industry always come with risks. However, the risk can be greater when you’re sourcing from an international supplier. If you plan to outsource, you must carry out a thorough investigation.
You must know the possible source markets and suppliers. After that, you must make an in-depth risk assessment. Check the provider’s possible suppliers to know potential issues that may arise.
Your investigation must include all aspects of the supplier. It includes operations, quality, leadership, and labor. See whether their track record holds up to their promise.
This way, you’ll avoid operation disruptions because your supplier lacks a follow-through. You may also ask other helpful companies who used your potential supplier before. You’ll gain insight into working with them once you made the decision.
Quality Assurance
The results of quality failure are worse when it comes from international sources. Compared to domestic sources, the lead times for transporting products are longer. When this happens, you’ll likely suffer from serious business disruptions.
It can get so bad that it takes several months to correct the problems. To mitigate this risk, you must prepare detailed product specifications for your sources. Tell them that you’ll do some independent quality control inspections from time to time.
Take note, a decline in product quality can damage your reputation. Avoid this and spend a few weeks observing the process of manufacturing. This is cheaper and ensures quality, which is better than discovering you need a recall.
Intellectual Property Protection
Be careful of sharing information with your outsourced manufacturers. Check their origin country and their intellectual property rights first. Otherwise, someone might leak your propriety information.
It often happens when the manufacturer’s country has more relaxed IP laws. Depending on the product, you might find it better not to outsource anything. However, if your product undergoes regular upgrades, this might not be an issue.
If you think you can develop better items faster with better product quality, you may neglect patent protection. This happens when you pump out new products faster than the market’s capabilities.
Brand Reputation Risks
If you’ve been in the business for a long while, you know it takes lots of time to build a brand. Overnight success doesn’t exist because it takes years or decades. Your brand reputation matters, whether your company is local or global.
To minimize the risk to your reputation, you must consider some factors. Here are some:
Transportation and Delivery
Outsourcing to foreign services may also be troublesome if you don’t go through with the contracting process step by step. It may lead to delayed deliveries if not cleared up well enough.
The process of ordering and delivery must have a consistent time frame. Think about whether your outsourced manufacturer can keep a consistent timeframe. If it increases, you must find ways to adjust your customers’ expectations.
You may also look for alternatives to get the time frame back to its proper place. If you can’t, you’ll risk ruining all your hard work. Customers hate waiting for more than they need to, so consider this factor as your priority.
Cultural Differences
It can impact your brand identity between countries. Lots of international brands understand this concept. It allows them to thrive and penetrate markets regardless of the country.
So, ensure that your brand will adjust to various cultures. It must follow expectations, standards, and traditions. It will allow your company to promote a seamless integration.
Sourcing Labor
This conversation isn’t as prevalent. Whenever it surfaces, it can harm your brand. It would be best to get a manufacturer that uses humane standards to make and fulfill your products.
Your manufacturer’s guidelines must be similar to your country’s. It’s especially when it’s labor laws and other related guidelines for employee safety. If your country is a member of ILO, both you and your outsourced help must adhere to its guidelines.
Weather
It seems obscure, but your manufacturer’s weather can affect your brand reputation. Bad weather can result in various delays. It puts your brand in a negative spotlight because you have to reveal your labor force.
The way your provider handles some weather-related situations can bite your supply chain as well. Regardless of their faults, your brand reputation will suffer. It’s why you must put it above everything else.
Is an Outsourced Manufacturing Right for You?
Before outsourcing a manufacturer, you must think about your company’s readiness. You must weigh the advantages of this decision to your company. It matters not what industry you’re in since its benefits and drawbacks remain the same.
Benefits of Outsourcing Manufacturers
The primary reason to do this is to cut your spending. At the same time, it will boost your business’s productivity. Many companies are willing to produce popular demands.
You’ll also avoid every bureaucratic aspect of manufacturing. It’s what bogs companies down, especially for countries with stringent laws.
Drawbacks of Outsourcing Manufacturers
The laborers under your outsourced manufacturer don’t work under you. You have no direct means to boost these people’s mood or morale. If they boycott work because of difficult conditions, your company will suffer.
Invest in Outsourced Manufacturing Today
Despite the risks, an outsourced manufacturing partner can help boost your business productivity. It’s all about finding a reputable manufacturer to work with. Use this information to find the best one around.
Are you looking to work with an international manufacturer? If so, contact us today and let’s talk about boosting your company’s sales.
What Do OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) Do?
You’ve just come up with a genius blueprint and need to implement it but don’t have the tools or the know-how to make your design come to life. What should you do? Where do you go from there? OEM Original equipment manufacturers are some of the most important organizations in the world.
The parts they make and the designs that they produce to keep the world as we know it spinning every day. If you were wanting to learn more about OEMs and what they do, you’ve come to the right place.
What Is an OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer?
An OEM (or Original Equipment Manufacturer) makes OEM parts or components of a part for their buyers. These buyers can be separate companies that sell those parts to consumers or other companies under their own brand.
As an example, a manufacturer of factory equipment might assemble the equipment. From there, a lot of the parts were manufactured by an original equipment manufacturer.
What Do OEMs Do?
The primary function of original equipment manufacturers is to produce new parts for a product, but they do much more on top of that. OEM sell parts to consumers or businesses seeking replacement parts for products they have purchased.
These parts can be sold through the market or vendors, or to business through business-to-business sales. Some companies will even set up partnerships with OEMs in which the OEM will manufacture the part and send it to the company for them to re-brand and use.
Who Does Business With OEMs?
A major source of business for OEMs is the work that they do with value-added resellers. Value-added resellers are companies that purchase OEM parts and upgrade or augment them to add more value before selling them.
The value that VARs add to these products is usually in the form of software upgrades or special features. VARs also take these products and bundle them together to make new products to sell under their own brand.
In most cases, original equipment manufacturers work in a business-to-business capacity. The last few years have seen increasing amounts of OEMs that are beginning to sell replacement parts directly to consumers.
There are two main industries in which consumers are purchasing OEM parts. They are the technology industry (particularly computers) and the automotive industry.
Both industries have a large number of people who work on and build their own devices or machinery. It is less expensive for them to source the original part and complete the work themselves. It also keeps the warranty for their device or machinery in place.
Benefits of Original Equipment Manufacturers
There is a multitude of benefits that come with getting new parts from the original equipment manufacturer:
- Top Quality: There are a lot of ways to get replacement parts, but nothing will beat the original equipment manufacturer part. It is identical to the original part that it is replacing. Though it may cost more than other options the quality is better.
- Durability: OEM parts are more durable. They come with the added benefit of knowing the materials used to make them, and they tend to be better made.
- Lifespan: OEM parts last much longer before requiring a replacement part. The processes used to make them and the materials that make up the parts are both top-notch.
OEM parts are made specifically for the product that is being used and will work perfectly as a replacement. They are made to precise specifications and most times they come with lifetime warranties. If the part does go bad and requires a replacement that replacement part can be obtained for free.
These benefits also spill over into the bottom line of your business. Working directly with original equipment manufacturers can save you money and time.
By working with an OEM, a company can save money in investment into the manufacturing of the parts they need. This also shortens the turnaround time that it takes for producing those parts.
Other OEM Services
There are a lot of other services that original equipment manufacturers provide that can be a valuable asset to you and your company.
Some OEMs are able to customize procedures and create specialized in-house processes for manufacturing OEM parts for you and your business.
Depending on what you need, original equipment manufacturers can produce new innovations that you draw up. OEMs are able to create new equipment and parts for whatever your needs may be.
OEMs can also be a great resource for outsourcing important tasks or parts of the manufacturing process. This can be especially important if you wish to keep your design safe and secure.
Best of all, original equipment manufacturers are able to implement these specialized processes at their own manufacturing plant. This can give them an opportunity to apply their expertise and make manufacturing efficient.
Another service that OEMs can provide is helping you to secure intellectual property patents. This is a great idea if you develop new ideas and innovations. Doing this protects your ideas from being stolen and implemented by other manufacturers.
OEMs work with companies that will look after your intellectual property. It doesn’t matter if it is copyrights, trademarks, or patents.
How to Start
Now you know all about OEM original equipment manufacturers and how they can benefit you. Whether you are a business using a certain product, a VAR looking to upgrade parts, or a consumer trying to source a replacement part, OEMs are here to help.
Get started today with all of your original equipment manufacturing needs.
What Makes Shield Works Different From Your Average Manufacturer?
With such a wide body of manufacturing companies in China and neighboring countries, there is an abundance of choice when it comes to selecting the right manufacturing service provider. However, here at Shield Works we do things differently. That’s why we believe we should be your number one choice.
This blog will discuss just a few features of our work that set us apart from the competition. Hopefully, we can convince you why we should be your first choice when seeking manufacturing in China.
Western owned and managed:
Shield Works is a western owned and managed company. We believe in Western standards of service, communications and quality. It can be extremely difficult communicating across a language barrier and when your business is the topic of conversation. Of course, you don’t want to be getting anything confused.
All three founding Directors of Shield Works are British. They have been based in Asia permanently for the past 14 years. We hope this gives faith to the fact that as a company, we are more than capable of maintaining the core values of Shield Work: transparency and integrity and you can trust that business will run smoothly.
24/7 Productions line access:
Here at Shield Works we believe it is important to have access to knowledge. To be in-the-know about your products and work force is an extremely important aspect to business relationships, especially when there are distances and time zone differences to consider.
Not only do we offer you this visibility as a sign of our credibility, but we also offer the chance to personalise where in your production line you would like to have access to. You can have cameras set up following your personal preferences giving you full visibility.
Shield Works offers you the ability to check-in on business through an app on your smartphone, desktop or tablet. It means that your business and its success is exactly where it should be…at your fingertips!
State-of-the-art IP protection technologies and methods.
At Shield Works we have state-of-the-art finger print access secure production zones in order to protect your interests and provide full IP protection at the source of manufacture. We will have legally binding NDAs with every external body that we may work with during the process of your assembly line in order to ensure this is protected.
Flexibility:
Unlike the majority of manufacturing companies, Shield Works starts business with a fully-equipped and experienced team. In this way, the operations can be scaled to accommodate growing production demands.
This experience denotes our ability to work flexibly in the ever-changing world of production. We work in accordance to your individual needs, offering our clients an in-house customised precision assembly line. We even offer the chance to fully customise our work procedures, equipment and develop new specialist in-house manufacturing processes.
A well-established parent company for added reassurance:
Shield Works is not your average start-up company because we can offer you a well-established parent company to base your expectations on.
Founded in 2005, China 2 West Services Ltd (C2W) is a one-stop manufacturing consulting firm. We are able to offer a wide range of services to provide you with high-quality manufacturing in China. All production undertaken at Shield Works will have C2W’s quality inspection services. What’s more, C2W’s highly trained Quality Engineers will work independently from Shield Works in order to report to you objectively and directly. This should give you extra reassurance when you need it most.
Not just manufacturers
The fact that Shield Works is the child company of C2W means that we are not just run by manufacturers with limited knowledge in manufacturing. Our experienced team is made up of individuals who have first-hand experience in every single stage of the process, meaning that the work we do is a complete conclusion of all the very best insights from each and every domain of the process. This means you can be sure that we know exactly how to improve the process, starting from day one.
Expertise
Having such a successful parent company also means that Shield Works stands out from the crowd by starting a business as an expert in a large number of areas. These include but are not limited to:
- Fitness Equipment
- Home and Kitchenware
- Tools & Hardware Products
- DIY Equipment
- Automotive Parts
- Safety Equipment
- Healthcare
- Jewellery
- Inventions & Gadgets
We hope that this blog is useful in helping you understand how Shield Works approach our work and clients differently and what inherent features of our business make us stand out from competitors.
For more information or a discussion about whether we can satisfy your unique requirements then do not hesitate to contact us directly.
The Gist of Shield Works
When it comes to advanced manufacturing solutions, Shield Works stands out as a premier destination for precision assembly and intellectual property rights (IPR) protection. As a proud extension of China 2 West, Shield Works leverages 14 years of industry experience to offer unparalleled services in its state-of-the-art facility. This blog post delves into what makes Shield Works a trusted name in manufacturing and why your business could benefit from its expertise.
Who are Shield Works?
To put it in simple terms, Shield Works is a precision assembly and IPR protective, manufacturing, and warehouse facility. Shield Works is the child company of China 2 West, with 14 years of experience. The gist of Shield Works is that after 14 years of experience and have developed many specialties, Shield Works is our very own in-house manufacturing warehouse facility open for clients.
Who is China 2 West?
China 2 West is a western-owned and managed manufacturing consultancy. We provide supply chain management, quality control, and production development services in Asia. Due to our vast experience in 3PL (Third Part Logistics), we have been able to create a company offering customised OEM manufacturing, assembly and warehousing solutions. The advantage of this is that China 2 West really know what we’re doing. Besides, we are able to provide customers with the best services developed across 14 years of experience.
What is the advantage of this partnership?
The advantage of using Shield Works is that you can get the RISK-FREE manufacturing solutions due to China 2 West’s well-established success. Your production will also be done according to internationally recognised quality standards.
Shield Works is based in the heart of Zhuhai City, China. We offer all the usual cost benefits of manufacturing in China. But with the added benefits of having a trusted and mature parent company to over-see manufacturing and all other areas of business.
Being just at thirty-five minute commute from the China 2 West company building, Shield Works can undergo extensive inspection and will have efficient and cooperative communications with China 2 West.
Business at Shield Works will also experience inspections in line with China 2 West’s internationally recognised inspection standards. What’s more, the Quality Engineers will work separately from Shield Works to report to you directly. It means you can avoid any middle men slowing down the progress of your project.
We hope this blog has helped with explaining the general gist of Shield Works. For further information, visit our website and don’t hesitate to get in touch with any specific questions or requests.