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Pilot Runs: Crucial for Manufacturing Success
Jumping into mass production without a pilot run is like launching a rocket without a test fire, risky, costly, and likely to go wrong.
In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, Renaud Anjoran and Adrian from the Sofeast team break down what the pilot run process really is, why it's non-negotiable in any serious manufacturing project, and what happens when companies try to cut corners.
Suppose you're developing a new product and plan to manufacture it in China or elsewhere in Asia. This episode makes you aware of the dangers of skipping critical steps and the true purpose of pilot runs.
Episode Sections:
00:00 – Introduction
00:31 – Why mass production must be preceded by pilot runs
01:17 – What most companies misunderstand about being "ready" for production
02:30 – What should come after a final prototype
03:15 – Typical factory behavior in China vs. Japan/Europe
05:00 – How some Chinese factories manipulate urgency
06:30 – When fast decisions lead to irreversible mistakes
07:50 – How experienced project managers balance speed with process
10:26 – The fallacy of “shortcuts save time”
16:00 – The temptation to deliver pilot units early (and why it backfires)
17:30 – Risks of skipping pilot runs: Case studies and real-world examples
20:00 – Explaining risks to customers who want to move fast
22:32 – Customization and Risks
25:29 – Essential Pre-Production Checks
29:00 – Process improvements and learnings before mass production
30:31 – Wrap-up and further resources
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By Sofeast
5
44 ratings
Jumping into mass production without a pilot run is like launching a rocket without a test fire, risky, costly, and likely to go wrong.
In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, Renaud Anjoran and Adrian from the Sofeast team break down what the pilot run process really is, why it's non-negotiable in any serious manufacturing project, and what happens when companies try to cut corners.
Suppose you're developing a new product and plan to manufacture it in China or elsewhere in Asia. This episode makes you aware of the dangers of skipping critical steps and the true purpose of pilot runs.
Episode Sections:
00:00 – Introduction
00:31 – Why mass production must be preceded by pilot runs
01:17 – What most companies misunderstand about being "ready" for production
02:30 – What should come after a final prototype
03:15 – Typical factory behavior in China vs. Japan/Europe
05:00 – How some Chinese factories manipulate urgency
06:30 – When fast decisions lead to irreversible mistakes
07:50 – How experienced project managers balance speed with process
10:26 – The fallacy of “shortcuts save time”
16:00 – The temptation to deliver pilot units early (and why it backfires)
17:30 – Risks of skipping pilot runs: Case studies and real-world examples
20:00 – Explaining risks to customers who want to move fast
22:32 – Customization and Risks
25:29 – Essential Pre-Production Checks
29:00 – Process improvements and learnings before mass production
30:31 – Wrap-up and further resources
Related content...
Get in touch with us
-
- Connect with us on LinkedIn
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