Contract Manufacturer For
Toys In China

Finding a contract manufacturer for toys in China can take a lot of time and effort, but it is one of the most important strategic decisions you can make.  It’s worth the time and effort to get it right.

If you choose the wrong contract manufacturer, trying to make toys in China can be really tough.

Finding a manufacturer that is a good fit for your business and your product is essential. It’s not so much how good the manufacturer is, but it’s more about whether or not your business model and product fit with the way manufacturer works.  That’s not easy to figure out.

If all you want is the “best price”, you are asking for trouble.  There will always be someone who will try to provide a lower price, but what will they do to make that price viable for their own business? Will they compromise on the quality of materials?

Or, maybe they are new and they have low overheads and they can afford to manufacture at a low price.  That’s a pretty good scenario, isn’t it?

• What happens if your product is successful and you need larger volumes?
• Will they be able to scale with your needs?
• Will they be able to deliver the larger order on time?
• If they can’t deliver on time, will you lose your prime opportunity to sell your product?
• Will they be able to maintain the quality?

Another scenario is when you get a manufacturing contractor at a low price and start working with them.  As you start going through the process you realize that the reason they were cheaper is because they just don’t have the talented or trained personnel to do the job properly.

With any of these scenarios, you would have wasted several weeks or months, and probably some money too.  And you are back at square one.

Think Of Contract Manufacturing Like A Partnership

If you were thinking of getting a new partner in your business, the first thing you would probably do is a background check, right?  Well, that’s what you have to do in this case as well.

Here are some things to consider before taking on a contract manufacturing “partner”:

Personal Compatibility

• Can you talk to the manufacturer or the representative easily?
• Do they have trouble understanding what you want on a conceptual level?
• Do they have a “can-do” attitude, or are they more interested in trying to fit you into a mold where it is easier for them to produce the product and you don’t necessarily get what you asked for?

If you have an “understanding relationship” the manufacturer will be able to deliver what you want, without a lot of hassles.  They will ask questions when needed do extra thinking and be creative in fulfilling the intent of your communication.

This kind of relationship is essential if you are manufacturing toys which are relatively sophisticated.

If you just have a simple toy that you are manufacturing, maybe you can get away with just a simple instruction and get what you want…but even then, they could make expensive mistakes if you don’t have an “understanding relationship”.

Communication And Customer Service

Getting products manufactured in a foreign country is not easy.

• You need access to someone with authority.
• They should be easy to reach and easy to talk to.
• Ask for the customer service hotline number.
• Make sure there is a designated representative that has authority to do get things done.

Price And Minimum Order Quantity

Every manufacturer has a “zone” where they are most comfortable. Make sure contract manufacturer you are working with is comfortable with the price you want to pay and can handle the quantities you need manufactured in the short-term and long term.

What Quality Level Can They Offer

If you need top of the line quality, do they have the trained personnel and machinery to do the job?

On the other hand, if your product is not such high quality and the outsource contract manufacturer is set up for high quality, it is probably going to cost you more because they have higher overheads.

Get enough information so you know you will get the quality you require, at the right price.

Experience And Scalability

Does the contract manufacturer for toys in China have the experience to produce higher volumes if you need it? Do they have the personnel and equipment to produce higher quantities… on time?

Find out if the contract manufacturing company has other clients with products in your category or better yet, other clients who are producing the type of product you have.

Financial Stability

This is important.  The last thing you want is to get started on a project and the contract manufacturer runs out of money to do the job.

How To Easily Do All The Background Checks On A Contract Manufacturer

If you want a contract manufacturer in China and you don’t speak Chinese, you’ve got a problem right from the start.

It would be a big help if you had an experienced person to walk through the search process.

That’s what Arcadia Sourcing provides.

Arcadia Sourcing consultants are fluent in Chinese and have the ability to physically go and check on the status of your project.

They have connections in the contract manufacturing business so they can easily get the “real story” about a company.

Since they have been doing this for over 30 years, Arcadia Sourcing knows what to look for when screening a contract manufacturer.  This is the kind of partner you would want.

• We’ll help you think through the process of what it takes to manufacture in China.
• You’ll save weeks, if not months of time with a simple conversation with our experienced staff.

If you are looking for a contract manufacturer for toys in China, call 1-800-659-1018 and talk to one of our consultants.