Utilizing a US-China business consultant will also accelerate and smooth the process of finding high-quality and highly reliable manufacturers. Choosing the right factory out of thousands is an art—Having partners you can count on for quality control/quality assurance can preserve massive resources especially during times when travel may not be possible. An experienced manufacturing partner on the ground provides assurance that finished goods will be inspected properly and shipped on time. These partnerships mitigate capital risk and time (speed to market) that can ruin a brand’s reputation overnight. Entire production runs can be impacted or may need to start over if certain details are not inspected properly. Developing strong relationships can be an arduous task and communication between Chinese partners can be difficult as vital information can oftentimes get lost in translation. Trusted consultants should serve as a guide to bridge Chinese business culture and build trust and cultivate a dependable relationship between you and your overseas partners.

A key role for consultants is creating a resilient and sustainable supply chain including materials sourcing to shipments of finished goods. New consumer behaviors are immediately increasing demand in some categories while creating massive oversupplies in others.  Maximizing supply chain flexibility is crucial and businesses are researching moving supply chains elsewhere. Asia business consultants should provide recommendations and insights regarding contingency plans regarding many of these “what if?” scenarios. Strategic supply chain planning also includes suggestions on design for manufacturability (DFM) which reduces cost while getting an MVP -minimal viable product produced. An effective DFM strategy speeds up production and reduces manufacturing errors. The right consultant should be well versed in your business’ category of manufacturing and be able to translate product changes between you and the supplier. There is really no way to overexaggerate the value of having an expertly structured supply chain plan and the right partners in place for new product launches.

The work doesn’t stop after-action plans have been implemented, suppliers identified and supply chains stabilized. Implementing a strategic US-China business consultant adds a layer of operational support that shouldn’t be ignored. In the absence of sending U.S. personnel to China or S.E. Asia oversight of operations in real-time is as essential as ever. Factory identification and qualifications, demand planning, forecasting, troubleshooting, logistics—All Asia Supply Chain details cant be done from a desk and through Zoom calls.  There is no substitute for having a supplier agnostic, professional partner in place in Asia.