Surely the phrase “Made in China” has been grabbing the headlines recently, with people on social media claiming some big brands, which supposedly are made in the West, turned out to be made in the East—specifically China.
For years, ‘Made in China’ labeled products have often been perceived as cheap, mass-produced, and sometimes even poor quality. This perception has been deeply rooted in consumers’ minds in general, which often leads to uncertainties towards China-made products.
But taking a look at the recent trends and news, it might suggest that most of us, if not all, are rather dependent on the skillful craftsmanship of China. And it is with great possibility that many of the tools and products that we are using today have taken a journey from the country.
What makes China a lifeline of businesses?
China has hugely been a part of businesses’ operations for many years. Being regarded as the biggest manufacturing powerhouse all over the world, exceeding that of Japan, United States, and Germany, China has proven their ability to produce a wide array of products at a massive scale—all these at a competitive price but with quality. Thus, many companies rely on China when it comes to outsourcing production and product sourcing to cut down on substantial expenses associated with starting a business or launching a new product.
With its gigantic manufacturing infrastructure and skilled workforce, China has been basically attracting businesses worldwide, turning itself into a lifeline of businesses, offering them a unique blend of scale, speed, and cost-efficiency that is hard to achieve elsewhere. These factors are exactly what made China a tempting place for businesses that are proactively fortifying their supply chains.
China has hosted assembly lines for many valuable companies globally, including one of the world’s biggest computer and gadget technology brands, Apple Inc.
An analysis by Nikkei Asia revealed that a significant number of Apple’s suppliers, specifically 150 of Apple’s top 187 companies, had manufacturing facilities based in China.
“There’s no supply chain in the world that’s more critical to us than China,” Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook said in an interview in 2024. (Source: BBC News)
On top of that, many famous brands as well are claiming their products were manufactured in the country.
Amidst all these rumours about fake China products, the fact still remains that China has helped many businesses produce products that are equally of good and exceptional quality.
It doesn’t mean that venturing into the Chinese market is all advantageous and positive, it also comes with inherent challenges, including regulatory and legal complexity, logistical challenges, quality control issues, intellectual property concerns, cultural barriers, and many more. One overlooked factor can pose significant risks to businesses, which is why having a sourcing agent or agency that you can trust is crucial, as they will help streamline all processes involved in sourcing.
The quality of products of course depends on the business’ terms, budget, target market, and proposition. It’s safe to say you can get exceptional quality products and you can also get poor quality products from China, which, in introspect, also applies anywhere in the world—well some regions might even be more expensive, which is not very economically viable.
Bottom Line
Surely the label “Made in China” sometimes gets a bad rap from people, but a lot might not have fully realised that the seriously skilled people in China are the unsung heroes behind many of the thousands of items we are using (and obsessing with) today. And we at Connected Sourcing can truly attest to the exceptional quality they deliver. It is with pride that we have been sourcing guaranteed high-quality products direct from China for 20 years!
Let us all break these stereotypes around all things China and start to appreciate China’s extraordinary craftsmanship—which brought true value to our lives and our clients. If you want to know more about product sourcing in China, talk to one of our experts at Connected Sourcing.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I use a sourcing agent when sourcing in China?
Sourcing agents' specialised knowledge and expertise can be highly beneficial in navigating the Chinese manufacturing landscape, especially for startups or those venturing into Chinese manufacturing for the first time.
2. Can Chinese manufacturers meet Western quality standards?
Yes, numerous Chinese manufacturers are capable of producing products of excellent quality that meet and exceed Western standards.
3. How do I find the best suppliers in China?
Connected Sourcing helps you navigate sourcing complexities by providing a comprehensive supply chain solution, helping you find the best suppliers in China and beyond, fostering reliable partnerships and streamlined operations.
