Date: 04/04/2011

TheSourcingSolutions is pleased to be an associate partner and promoter of The 3rd Annual Global Auto Supplier Summit, organised by Gasgoo International, which will be held in Shanghai on 21 – 22 April 2011.

The Summit, which takes place during the Auto Shanghai show, offers an excellent opportunity to hear from leading figures in the Chinese auto industry and unrivalled networking with top component suppliers.

To register, please click http://www.gasgoo.com/events/special/forum2011/. Don’t forget to mention that you were introduced by TheSourcingSolutions !

Chinese suppliers feel the pressure
Date: 26/04/2010

Business is booming for China’s automotive component makers, and an increasing number of Chinese companies are reporting that their order books are full and that their factories are working at maximum capacity.

Whilst such business growth is welcome, it also poses new challenges for companies seeking to source from China. “A busy supplier is less likely to respond to new quotation requests, may have more difficulty meeting delivery schedules, and, in some cases, may allow quality standards to slip,” explains Changlei Sun, Director at TheSourcingSolutions. “In such circumstances, it becomes even more important to ensure that you are dealing with a reliable supplier, who understands – and can meet - your business requirements. If there are problems, they need to be sorted out quickly and efficiently. This is precisely the kind on on-going, professional support that TheSourcingSolutuions offers to our clients.”

September is show-time
Date: 26/04/2010

September will be a busy month for international automotive component makers, with major shows taking place in both Europe and China.

From 14 – 19 September, Frankfurt hosts the biennial Automechanika – the world’s largest parts and accessory show. As soon as the doors close there, the focus switches to Beijing – venue for the 2010 edition of CIAPE between 25 – 27 September.

TheSourcingSolutions can provide on-going strategic support companies attending both events. As MD Mark Norcliffe points out: “Exhibitions are an excellent way of meeting potential new customers and suppliers. But they only enable you to see the tip of the iceberg. The really hard work starts after the event – following up on enquiries, preparing quotations and making sure that products and delivery schedules are up to standard. It is in these areas where we our bi-lingual staff can save you time, money and staff resources.”

Mercedes backs “Made in China”
Date: 10/04/2010

Mercedes Benz is the latest global automaker to acknowledge the rise in Chinese quality and manufacturing standards. “Our [Chinese-made] cars are exportable. There is no difference in quality with those made outside China,” said CEO Ulrich Walker at a recent press briefing.

Mercedes now has more than 80 domestic Chinese suppliers [not just international companies producing in China] making components for their Beijing-built C- and E-Class luxury saloons. Local sourcing has played a key role in turning the Beijing plant to profit, and Walker was pleased to report “We haven’t had any quality issues with the new C-Class.”

Of course, Mercedes’ success has been built on extensive work by their sourcing teams to identify, and qualify, the best local suppliers from China’s vast army of component producers.

But even if you don’t have the internal resources of a major VM to run your own China sourcing programme, professional help and advice is still available to you – through the services of TheSourcingSolutions Ltd. Just contact us to discuss your particular needs and requirements.

TheSourcingSolutions launches new conference and event service
Date: 10/04/2010

TheSourcingSolutions has launched a new service offering conference and business event management to both Chinese and European clients.

“We have a superb base in the historic university city of Oxford, and lots of event management experience within our company,” explains MD Mark Norcliffe. “It seems logical to put these together in a package for customers who want to stage business events that are both professional and memorable.”

TheSourcingSolutions offers a full range of services, tailored to customer needs, including venue location and booking, professional interpreting services, bilingual support staff, catering, transportation and leisure activities, so that delegates can gain maximum benefit from every event.

Turbulent Times for China’s Automotive Component Makers
Date: 20/10/2009

Figures recently released by China’s Customs authorities show that the total value of automotive components exported from China in the first half of 2009 fell by 33% compared with the same period last year, to $5.44 billion.

However, most of that fall was due to sharply reduced orders from vehicle manufacturers around the world. The biggest drop was in exports to Japan, which tumbled by almost 50%. Interestingly, whilst exports from state-owned enterprises fell by 48%, privately owned Chinese manufacturers suffered only a 26% decline.

These trends suggest that there is a strong pool of independent Chinese component makers, manufacturing to OE standards, who currently have spare production capacity. It is a good time to look again at sourcing products from China.

Doing Business in China
Date: 19/10/2009

Kogan Page are preparing the 2nd edition of their popular Business Insights : China, which will offer readers practical and up-to-date advice on doing business successfully with Chinese partners. Once again, they have approached TheSourcingSolutions Managing Director Mark Norcliffe to pen the automotive section.

The guide will be published in the New Year, but you don’t have to wait until then to make use of Mark’s expertise. For a free, confidential discussion of your Chinese business links, simply call him on 01865 487150 or email him at mnorcliffe@thesourcingsolutions.com

TheSourcingSolutions launch new website
Date: 1/9/2009

TheSourcingSolutions are delighted to announce the launch of their new, bi-lingual website.

“This launch co-incides with an exciting period of expansion for the company,” comments founding partner Mark Norcliffe. “We hope that it will become a valuable source of information for clients – both old and new – on the company’s activities and on developments in the Chinese market.”

Growing aftermarket opportunities for Chinese component makers
Date: 24/8/2009

The production of automotive components in China has grown three-fold in the last five years, and is now worth well over Rmb 650 billion. Interestingly, the largest growth sectors to date have been production for the domestic, and global, OE market. Sales to the international aftermarket have accounted for only 15% of the total expansion.

However, with the downturn in international vehicle production and growing price pressures being applied by China-based VM’s, Chinese component makers – many operating to OE standards – now have an increased incentive to boost their aftermarket sales.

TheSourcingSolutions specialises in bringing together good quality Chinese suppliers and strong European aftermarket companies.