Author

Graham Ashworth

Sourcing Editor

14+ years experience

Graham started as a junior buyer for a British homewares chain and ended up running its Asia sourcing desk, which meant a lot of factory floors, a lot of trade fairs and a few suppliers who disappeared with the deposit. He now writes about supplier selection, negotiation and the practical difference between a factory and a trading company that says it is one. His rule: nothing gets paid until something has been verified by someone who does not work for the supplier.

Covers

  • Supplier sourcing
  • Factory audits
  • Negotiation
  • Homewares and hardware
  • Illustration of a desk with a checklist being ticked off beside a laptop
    Supplier Checks

    How to Vet a Supplier in China Before You Pay a Deposit

    A polished catalogue and a quick reply prove very little. Here is the order of checks we run on every new factory, from the business licence to a third-party audit, before any money moves.

    Graham Ashworth 4 min read