East West Manufacturing Blog

In this day and age, it's simply not enough to state a claim of corporate social responsibility. We need to effect change. A company concerned with sustaining its marketplace must take action, and one practical jumping off point is supply chain analysis. Aim to transform your supply chain from a linear (take-make-dispose) model to a circular...

We've all been there: needing something to deliver in record time, then realizing, with a cringe, that expedited shipping comes at a pretty premium. But sometimes it simply must be done. This often happens on a much larger scale when buyers need product in a jiffy. The situation becomes a bit more complex when the goods are literally on the...

Product quality issues can be a real pain to deal with, but one thing is for sure: quality issues are inevitable, no matter how experienced your supplier is. So knowing how to address such problems is a skill worth learning. Of course, some issues will be more substantial than others, but approaching them with purpose and patience is the best...

Investment cost is sometimes enough to stop a startup dead in its tracks. But don't worry – the good news is that there are other options to get the ball rolling without emptying your wallet. Working with an experienced, flexible contract manufacturer can open the door to opportunities you may not have realized existed. Minimizing up-front...

Designing a tool isn’t just about making a perfect product – it’s also about making the tool last as long as possible. Many buyers are focused solely on the production and quality of their product, but it's important to keep in mind that a tool must be in spec to make a product that is in spec. Even if you don't have a hand in designing or...

As supply chains become increasingly global and more complex, consumers become increasingly demanding, and markets become more and more competitive. All of these developments call for smarter, more efficient supply chains. One turnkey approach is supply chain execution convergence (SCEC), a concept first named by Gartner in 2009 but just...

Minimum order quantity: protecting suppliers and scaring off buyers daily. This is a common sentiment, especially when working with Asian manufacturers. But there's good reason it's a facet of global manufacturing, and whether you like it or not, MOQ isn't going anywhere, so you'd better learn how to navigate it. Read on to learn exactly why...

You've heard it all before: nothing but junk is made in China. While many low-cost and low-performing children's toys and other trinkets are indeed manufactured in China, many myths and misconceptions abound when it comes to quality control in Chinese factories. We're here to set the record straight. Good quality products can be and currently...

As you may or may not know, shipping goods internationally can get to be incredibly expensive, but there are ways to save money while ensuring your goods make it from point A to point B on time and intact. Keep reading to delve into our top 11 tips to start reducing your international logistics costs immediately.

We talked about three medical device trends to watch out for in 2016, but what about the challenges this industry faces on its path to greatness? In this article we will address three primary hurdles that must be overcome sooner than later to achieve global success and truly transform the healthcare industry for the better.