Asian Sourcing
Why do you need a sourcing agent in Asia? If the agent only passes information and handles documents, in the world we live in today, its role is clearly obsolete. However, if the agent can provide real value-added service such as helping the customer to bring down its cost and solving supply chain problems, then all involved can benefit by avoiding bloated management, skyrocketing costs, etc. Despite advances in communication and an ever-shrinking world, having an agent can still bridge the gap between people; after all, culturally speaking, people are still different. Sometimes by rushing into things or being too direct will not only negate cost-savings, but also bring about catastrophe too great to solve by more money. This is why Gateway exists, to help bridge this gap for small to medium-sized European and North American companies.
- Some of the services we offer include:
- .Communication: Even though the English language is commonly spoken today, cultural differences between the eastern and western civilizations still create contextual differences. For one, just what does "no problem" mean to a Chinese manufacturer and does it mean the same to you? With our experience, we can minimize that misunderstanding. Since no single manufacturer is likely to satisfy product demands, Gateway also simplifies communication by being the customer's sole communication window where the customer can get his or her point across to multiple manufacturers at once. Additionally, most of the Asian manufacturers exist within the same time zone as Gateway so there is no delay, which is further cost-saving and added efficiency for the customer.
- .Coordination: Gateway has the know-how in helping the customer put together a product involving a combination of different materials: plastic, rubber, metals, etc. We survey all of our suppliers to determine and control each supplier's capability to ensure that projects are not delayed. In a country as vast as China, we understand what region of the country specializes in what industry. We also have inspectors and satellite offices located throughout key cities/areas of China.
- .Quality Assurance: Potential suppliers are audited through various aspects - design, equipment and manufacturing efficiency capabilities, as well as the manufacturer's financial condition. Gateway checks on the manufacturer's system qualification (i.e., ISO 9000, etc.) as well as product certification. Qualified manufacturers are audited periodically. We perform both in-process inspection and final inspection of goods. Finally, Gateway has product liability insurance to help the customer resolve any claim should it arise.
- .Inventory: For products that do not have a lot of volume, even to the point where the volume provides no economical means of production for the manufacturer, we help by carrying some inventory for the customer.
- .Logistics: Gateway provides goods consolidation and shipping logistics and coordination.
- .Supplier Relationship Management: Distance often becomes a problem when maintaining good relationship between the customer and supplier, even to the point of affecting price and shipping time. This is why having a local representative like Gateway is so important.
- .As business trends more towards countries like China in order to compete, having a local agent is invaluable. Since 1990, when China opened up its market, a myriad of confusing legislations went into place that created potential landmines for European and North American companies. In addition, rapid appreciation of the RMB, constant changes in China's tax and tariff laws, and a steady climb in raw material prices makes for an unsteady and difficult to bear market. As such, having Gateway to help control suppliers, maintain supply and cost is an obvious choice.
