When it comes to deciding where to manufacture sunglasses, there are many options. One of the most popular choices is to collaborate with overseas manufacturers, especially sunglasses manufacturers in China. You would most desire to produce quality products quickly and at a fair price.
But can Chinese manufacturers deliver this? Sometimes, but it’s not as easy as you might imagine. The advantages of overseas sourcing are well documented, but there can also be some drawbacks.
You need to understand the options that Chinese custom sunglasses manufacturers can provide and the things you need to pay attention to. Which experts would you invite to help you find the best sunglasses manufacturer in China? Once decided, the right sunglasses manufacturer can even serve as your close business partner and intimate friend.
In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of working with Chinese sunglasses manufacturers. This is to help you determine if it is a suitable outsourcing option for your company. Please continue reading for more information.
7 Advantages of Using Overseas Sunglasses Manufacturers
1. Lower labor costs for glasses manufacturing
The United States is one of the countries with the highest labor costs in the world, making many Asian countries attractive. Especially in China, which has a well-established industrial chain and skilled workers, labor wages may be a third to a quarter of the cost.
While Japan, Italy, Germany, and South Korea all have some glasses manufacturers, with the advancement of technology and the improvement in the skills of professional workers, Chinese manufacturers are becoming increasingly advantageous in various aspects.
So one of the most notable benefits of working with Chinese sunglasses manufacturers is the potential cost savings. Many overseas manufacturers have lower labor costs and can sunglasses production at a lower cost than domestic manufacturers. Depending on the number of workers needed to produce a product, these lower costs can significantly affect production expenses, lower your selling price, or increase your profit margin.
Another advantage of collaborating with Chinese manufacturers is the acquisition of professional expertise. For instance, if you want to produce sunglasses using a specific material or a particular process, you can find Chinese glasses manufacturers that specialize in that area. This can help you produce high-quality sunglasses that meet your specific needs.
Overseas hosts a vast cluster of manufacturers, providing a variety of choices for product developers. This is especially the case for China. In 2019, prior to the pandemic outbreak, China’s manufacturing output accounted for 28.7% of the world’s total. Particularly in the glasses industry, its production volume accounts for 90%-95% of the global total.
When researching Chinese manufacturer options, you will appreciate the breadth and depth of companies from suppliers to factories to wholesalers, which can assist you in product development and the manufacturing of high-quality sunglasses.
4. Greater Capacity for Glasses Production
One of the most prominent advantages of Chinese sunglasses manufacturers is their production capacity. If you need to produce a large number of sunglasses quickly and produce substantial volumes of products in a relatively short amount of time, this could be very helpful. In addition, a larger production capacity helps to shorten delivery times, which is crucial for businesses that need to quickly bring their products to market.
Depending on your order quantity, you can save money through bulk discounts and reducing raw material costs. Just make sure you understand and can support their minimum order quantities.
5. Close to Suppliers of Raw Materials and Components for Glasses Manufacturing
American factories are often far from the sources of raw materials or components for their products, which can significantly increase time to market and costs. In this regard, Chinese manufacturers typically have more mature supply chains and relatively developed channels for acquiring various types of raw materials.
If you choose “Made in the USA” products, you may face delays if your product requires raw materials or imported components. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that disruptions in the supply chain can undermine the manufacturing of products, particularly if raw materials or components need to be exported from their country of origin and imported into the United States.
6. Adequate Technical Talent for Glasses Frame Production
The number of skilled sunglasses manufacturing workers in China often exceeds that of the United States and countries like Japan, Italy, and South Korea. At the beginning of 2022, there were 859,000 job vacancies in the U.S. manufacturing industry.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused labor shortages in other countries, its severity is not as great as in the United States. Countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, following the example of their neighbors Taiwan, China, and South Korea, are actively training labor in rural areas to alleviate labor shortages.
7. Access to the Global Glasses Market
Partnering with overseas manufacturers can also provide businesses with access to global markets. Many overseas manufacturers have experience in exporting products to different countries, which can help you expand your business to new markets.
While there are many benefits, overseas manufacturing also faces challenges. Here are five issues every product development team should consider before sourcing products overseas:
1. Sunglasses Quality Control and Lack of Oversight
With overseas manufacturing, you may not be able to attend many face-to-face meetings to negotiate terms, solve problems, and oversee quality control. Establishing a relationship and ensuring that products meet your quality standards can be challenging if you’re not present, which could lead to defective products and high costs for your business.
To address this issue, you need to have close, timely, and benign communication with professional and responsible Chinese manufacturers, with utmost trust and patience, to ensure the establishment of a partnership.
2. Language and Cultural Barriers
When working with overseas manufacturers, language and cultural barriers can also be a challenge. Communication can be difficult, which may lead to misunderstandings and delays. In addition, cultural differences can affect the way business is conducted, leading to conflicts or other issues.
With advances in various aspects and the development of network information, the impact of language and cultural barriers has been greatly reduced among Chinese manufacturers. However, it still necessitates close communication with professional sunglasses manufacturers.
Consider what happens when issues arise or the product doesn’t meet your quality standards. What if your customers or retailers are waiting and ultimately disappointed? If customers complain about delays or quality issues, the responsibility falls on you. When working with overseas manufacturers, you manage customer service yourself. Consumers don’t care if the problem is a manufacturing issue. They see your brand, and you need to fix it.
In this regard, you should particularly pay attention to how you look for suitable sunglasses manufacturers. In the communication with the person in charge of the manufacturer, and technical discussions in the glasses professional field, I believe you already have a preliminary assessment of various aspects of the manufacturer. Whether a sunglasses manufacturer is suitable for you, the most important premise is that the sunglasses manufacturer must have sufficient professionalism, and noble professional ethics in manufacturing glasses and managing sales.
4. Shipping and Logistics Challenges for Glasses Products
When working with overseas manufacturers, shipping and logistics can also be a challenge. Shipping costs might be higher, and you may need to comply with customs and import/export regulations. Additionally, the distance between you and the manufacturer could result in longer delivery times, which could be a problem if you need to quickly bring your products to market.
Of course, to solve this aspect, it is recommended that you communicate closely with the sunglasses manufacturer, ensure the factory delivers on time, schedule materials companies in advance, and plan all customs and import documents. Often, advance planning and preparation can bring unexpected benefits to our work.
5. Intellectual Property Issues for Sunglasses
Another potential issue when working with overseas manufacturers is intellectual property. Protecting your designs and ideas may be challenging when working with overseas manufacturers, as they may not be bound by the same intellectual property laws as your country/region.
This issue is challenging and requires cooperation with the manufacturer, such as signing agreements to protect intellectual property and applying for brand patents in China. Now is the age of the rule of law and the grid information is very developed, this issue can be well resolved with a little control.
Overseas manufacturing often makes economic sense, and working with Chinese sunglasses manufacturers is a good way to save costs, gain expertise, and expand your business into new markets.
However, you need to be able to overcome the disadvantages that come with production abroad. These include quality control issues, language and cultural barriers, shipping and logistics challenges, and intellectual property issues.
If you believe that a Chinese sunglasses manufacturer is the right choice for your company, there could be many benefits. Before making a final decision, it’s important to carefully consider these pros and cons, and weigh them based on the specific needs and goals of your business to determine if this is the appropriate course of action.
By doing so, you can make wise decisions that will help you grow your business and achieve your goals.
