In recent years, China has become an economic superpower. Embracing the global market and opening its doors to international trade, so much has changed in the country. These days China has outshined other countries in terms of GDP and purchasing power. One of the most significant contributors to its economic growth is its population. Because of its massive workforce, the country has a vast market to offer products, and the wages are relatively low.
It is not astonishing that many of the biggest reputable brands across the globe have shifted their manufacturing to many factories in China. The benefits of low production cost and in many companies and direct access to the Asian markets are some of the reasons why many of these biggest companies are shifting their production to China.
The outsourcing market in China has grown steadily, and many companies have moved their headquarters here. The government has created a conducive environment for the local manufacturers to grow to concentrate on the segment of the low-end industry. The government provides subsidies, excellent infrastructure, and incentives to make these companies competitive.
China also concentrates on high-end products too. According to one report, China has steadily increased its machinery industries and transport-equipment by a significant percentage in recent years.
Many companies consider outsourcing in China for low manufacturing cost. Included in the manufacturing process that is outsourced in this country is mold manufacturing. Majority of mass-market products are made in China because when the process has a low manufacturing cost.
It means that the company will have enough product to supply their market and remain competitive. Others choose to outsource their manufacturing in China because of the ease in distributing their products to different markets. When the manufacturing process is handled offsite, the company can focus its time and resources more on researching and developing new products to offer.
injection molding products, *picture from lifelongindia.com
Here are the advantages of hiring the services of mold manufacturers in China.
Pros
#1 They have a low production cost
When you work with a China mold manufacturer, it means that you will have to reduce production cost without affecting the volume of the output. This advantage is the primary reason why many entrepreneurs and firms do not mind the disadvantages of outsourcing on the far side of the world.
#2 High output with little time
Some mold manufacturers have limitations on their capacity and timeline, which will never be a problem when you hire China mold manufacturers. The reason? Again, it’s cheap labor. In China, you can have more people to work on your volume demands with less money. There are some issues in China about the exploitative nature of low labor cost. In this case, you must observe due diligence.
#3 Easy access to market and opportunities
When you outsource your mold manufacturing in China, you have higher chances of marketing your products in the local market. Most companies that outsource their production are doing more than overseeing the production. They also establish their local marketing and supply chain efforts. Some of them may hire locals and acquire equipment to support their expansion.
A successful distribution in China means savings on shipment because the mold manufacturer is already in the locality. Just imagine the potential of selling your goods to about 1.3 billion customers. That will be a good ROI.
The most significant advantage of using China mold manufacturers is when it comes to large production runs. Although manufacturing in this country can also have a lot of drawbacks, but they can be offset when you have bulk orders.
Cons
#1 Finding a reliable mold manufacturer
The first challenge in outsourcing your mold manufacturing is finding the right factory who is willing to accept your project. It may take extra effort to develop a healthy working relationship when the manufacturer is on the other side of the world. You should observe due diligence here and must travel to the location to visit the factory.
You can find a mold manufacturer online or in the trade shows. Some companies only deal with you when you are manufacturing a massive number of units.
#2 There is language difficulty
One thing about China is although they have opened to international trade, not everyone is adept in English. And because you are on the other side of the world, you don’t speak Cantonese or Mandarin. Hiring a translator is the best option during the negotiation process because there are a lot of things you have to discuss with the manufacturer. This will be additional costs that you have to weigh in.
#3 Risk posed to intellectual property
One of the significant concerns when outsourcing production in China is the risk it presented to intellectual property. Although the government is active in implementing measures for IP protection, there are still challenges ahead. You have to make sure that you have developed corporate protection strategies for your product. Patenting, for one, is a simple way that will reduce the risk to your IP.
Final Thoughts
When outsourcing your mold manufacturing in China, you have to balance out the pros and cons. The key to successful outsourcing is to weigh your options carefully and taking extra precautions.