Doing Business
Vietnam Manufacturing: The Cities That Matter
Vietnam manufacturing cities each have their own strengths. This hub maps the main industrial areas, north and south, and what each one is known for making.
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Doing Business
China vs Vietnam vs Bangladesh for Apparel: Which Is Right for Your Brand
China vs Vietnam vs Bangladesh apparel, compared by garment type, order size, fabric source and US or EU destination, with current US tariffs and a pick for each scenario.
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Doing Business
How to Spot a Bad Sourcing Agent: Red Flags to Check Before You Pay
The sourcing agent red flags to check before you pay anyone. Use them to judge whether an agent is accountable to you or to the factory it works with.
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Doing Business
Which Certifications Does Your Product Need? By Product Type and Market
What certifications does my product need? A matrix by product type for the US, UK and EU, covering FCC, CE, UKCA, CPSIA, UN38.3, REACH and RoHS.
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Doing Business
Factory, Trading Company or Sourcing Agent: Which Should You Use?
Sourcing agent vs factory direct, or a trading company? Who pays whom sets the incentive. Use our decision tree by experience level and order size.
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Doing Business
Do You Need an NNN Agreement to Manufacture in China?
What an NNN agreement covers, how it differs from a standard NDA, and when it is worth the cost to protect a product made in China.
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Doing Business
Minimum Order Quantity: Why Chasing the Lowest MOQ Can Cost You More
Chasing the lowest MOQ can raise your per-unit cost elsewhere. How minimum order quantity actually interacts with tooling, freight, and margin.
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Doing Business
7 Reasons Manufacturers Want to Work With Some Brands (And Not Others): What Manufacturers Look for Before Quoting Your Product
What manufacturers look for before quoting: seven reasons factories take on some brands and turn others away, and what to have ready before you ask.
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Doing Business
What Is ESG and When Should Manufacturers Start Caring?
What Is ESG and When Should Manufacturers Start Caring? In January 2025, Shein’s General Counsel was questioned by UK lawmakers about whether the company sourced cotton from Xinjiang, a region linked to forced labor concerns. Around the same time, Temu was reported to be under investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for potential […]
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Doing Business
Why You’re Getting Ghosted by Suppliers
Sourcing overseas for your product manufacturing can be unpredictable, especially when communication suddenly drops off. One week you’re exchanging samples, pricing, and timelines. The next… silence (and we don’t mean you, although that happens a lot too). If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Getting ghosted by suppliers is one of the most common frustrations […]
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