But eventually someone will ask questions your suppliers should be able to answer.

Recently, companies like Shein and Temu have faced scrutiny over whether they could verify where products came from and how they were made. If you're still developing products or running smaller volumes, it probably isn't something to worry about today. But once you're supplying larger brands or retailers, the questions start arriving fast.  In simple terms, it's how buyers, retailers, investors, and regulators evaluate whether products are being made responsibly.

Instead of asking only about pricing, lead times, and production capacity, buyers start asking:

• Where is your product made?
• Has the factory been audited?
• Can you provide compliance documentation?
• How do you vet suppliers?
• Can your supply chain be traced?

The brands that handle these requests well aren't scrambling to find answers. They've already built the right processes into their sourcing and manufacturing operations.

We put together a short guide explaining what ESG actually means, who should care, and how brands can prepare before these questions start arriving.

Read it here: What Is ESG and When Should Manufacturers Start Caring? 

If you're already getting these questions and not sure how to answer them, reply to this email. We'll take a look.

Cheers,

David from Intrepid Sourcing