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Manufacturing of acrylic bathtubs in China has come a long way, but there still remain only about 4 Chinese manufacturers capable of manufacturing good quality, and by that we mean: using quality acrylic sheet, high-quality moulds proper internal structure and, of course, finishing. Quality, not only in the finished product, but also in the manufacturing process and application of labour. There is one brand new manufacturer in particular who we think has solved all the problems that others hadn't overcome. Read more...

By Paul Baylis - Managing Director, China-Buy Ltd.

We originally wanted to locate a quality manufacturer of Barcelona Chairs for a Swedish importer. We looked at several prominent manufacturers, but eventually there was nothing that would satisfy them completely. In the process we learned exactly where these other manufacturers were going wrong and how much of the quality problems were related to raw materials availability and how much related to inexperience and the problem of overuse of manual labour. In short, we found out what needed to be done to build a chair that would satisfy the most discerning importer. But, we just couldn't get the factories to build consistently good quality. Eventually, quite exasperated, we decided to commission a stainless steel fabricator to make our own frames. Then we selected a premier Foshan leather upholsterer to make the cushions and we have never looked back.

After only a year of manufacturing, we now have sole distributors in Scandinavia, Germany and New Zealand and we welcome serious discerning importers from all other parts of the world with our guarantee that our product will exceed your expectations and our service will be even better.

China manufacturing has come a long way. The label "Made in China" is no longer to be sneered at. As time goes on, China is making irresistable progress to equality with the West. And there are many reasons for this. But, there are still some irksome things about Chinese manufacturing. The following are some that have been noted by China-Buy.com staff in the field:

• Still way too much manual labour. This can have significant impacts on product quality and consistency. We have visited many furniture manufacturing plants and we still see too many unskilled hands doing important jobs. This is a major frustration to importers who visit the trade shows and see beautifully presented articles, but upon placing and receiving their order are disappointed. Workers come and go and often unskilled labour is called in temporarily. So you get a hodge-podge of quality and consistency. If possible, it is always better to go with manufacturers who have the appopriate machinery - e.g. computerised cutting tools for furniture and specialist staff in key areas of product finishing and quality control.
  
  
• Chinese manufacturers are very slow to understand the fussiness of European and Western importers. They can't understand why it's not OK to use a cheap handle or hinge or drawer runner on a piece of furniture. Some don't see why they have to pay such close attention to interiors of cabinets and others normally unseen areas. Those that get out of the mindset of "near enough is good enough" will be the most successful. We have certainly been helping a few manufacturers along this path to perfection.
  
  
• Language Barrier and sales staff overwork. A major major problem for Western importers. You have a beautifully prepared technical drawing of the product you want with all the relevant techinical terms and find yourself spending the first week getting the factory to understand the terms. Then, you have the problem of the poorly-trained and inexperienced (though very well-meaning) sales staff, who are usually very overworked. If the factory is popular, you can expect curt and unhelpful replies to your queries, which generally require 2-3 further emails to correct.
  
  
• Concern with quantity rather than quality. We recently negotiated a great price for an item we were purchasing on behalf of a client. When the order was finally completed, inspection showed some terrible quality problems. When we approached the manufacturer for an explanation, their blunt reply was "Well, there is not enough margin in this order for me. I'm only concerned about the quantity". Lesson to importers: Don't try to bargain too low with manufacturers. You have to leave them with a feeling that current and future co-operation will be rewarding for them.
  
  
• Often refuse to see the big picture of long-term co-operation. Chinese manufacturers make small margins and are usually in a competitive environment. They need to see the cash turning over. Therefore, it is often an unsuccessful negotiating ploy to bring up the fact that you are a big importer with a lot of plans for the future in terms of ordering from China. What the manufacture essentially wants to see is your money talking. Place an order first and lets see how we go. Fair enough.
  

China-Buy is manufacturing Barcelona Chair, Le Corbusier, Noguchi Table and reproductions of other European classics. We have top-class manufacturing facilities in China and we welcome OEM projects.

Click here for more: http://www.china-buy.com/classic-furniture.cfm

China-Buy is now exporting furniture and bathroom ware, via various brands, to the following countries:

• Sweden - Wooden bathroom vanities, tiles, kitchens, classic designer furniture
• Norway - Glass Doors, showers, glass bathroom vanities
• Germany - Wooden bathroom vanities
• Romania - Wooden bathroom vanities
• New Zealand - Showers, glass balustrades, wooden bathroom vanities

To view one of our new high quality brands of bathroom ware designed specifically for the quality-consious Western markets, please visit http://www.world-trade-eye.com/SanMaria