In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, host Lara sits down with Glaiza Ilagan, CEO of Move Supply Chain, and April Loquillano, an experienced supply chain manager, to share expert insights on preparing for a successful business trip to China. As they gear up for their upcoming visit, Glaiza and April break down everything you need to know about navigating China's manufacturing landscape, from attending the Canton Fair to building strong vendor relationships. This episode is packed with practical tips and strategies for making the most out of your supply chain visit, whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned traveler.

The discussion covers essential topics, including the value of in-person supplier visits, the nuances of navigating the Canton Fair, cultural considerations when working with Chinese vendors, and overcoming common challenges encountered during international business trips. Lara, Glaiza, and April offer actionable advice on optimizing your approach to maximize the value of your visit and strengthen your global supply chain operations. 

Key Topics Covered:

Memorable Quotes: 

"Seeing how products are made firsthand opens up so many opportunities for negotiation and cost savings." – Glaiza

"In supply chain, preparation is everything. From comfortable shoes to the right data, being ready ensures your trip delivers real value." – April

"When you visit vendors in person, you're not just inspecting products—you’re building relationships that will fuel your supply chain for years to come." – Lara

Resources Mentioned:

Move Supply Chain: Providing global supply chain solutions, including vendor management, product sourcing, and logistics support.

Canton Fair: One of the largest trade fairs in the world, held biannually in Guangzhou, China, where businesses can explore extensive sourcing opportunities.

Connect with Us: 

Lara on X: @supplychainlara

Glaiza on X: @glaizailagan

Guest Highlights:
Glaiza Ilagan: CEO of Move Supply Chain with over 15 years of experience in supply chain management and vendor relations, sharing insights on international vendor visits and partnership building.

April Loquillano: Supply chain manager specializing in product sourcing and inventory management, preparing for her first trip to China with a focus on strategic sourcing.

In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, Lara interviews Mary Manzaretto, a seasoned supply chain expert at Move Supply Chain. With over 10 years of experience in production planning, inventory management, and new product development (NPD), Mary shares how problem-solving is pivotal in supply chain management, especially for DTC (direct-to-consumer) brands.

Lara and Mary go over the challenges and nuances of supply chain management in e-commerce and contrast it with traditional models. Mary also offers insights into how effective new product development strategies can drive e-commerce growth, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. Suppose you want to enhance your supply chain operations or streamline NPD processes. In that case, this episode offers actionable strategies and real-world examples to help your business thrive in a competitive market. 

Key Topics Covered: 

Guest Highlights:

Mary Manzaretto: A supply chain and NPD expert with a decade of experience in sourcing, logistics, and inventory management, currently supporting DTC brands at Move Supply Chain. 

Memorable Quotes: 

"Effective supply chain management is all about solving problems in real-time—it's where flexibility meets strategy."

"Cutting corners in new product development doesn’t save you time or money in the long run. Thorough processes are key to success."

Resources Mentioned:

Move Supply Chain: movesupplychain.com – Offering fractional supply chain support for DTC brands.

More Staffing: morestaffing.co – Remote staffing solutions for businesses.

Connect with Us:

Lara:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laarniguevara 

Twitter: @supplychainlara

Mary:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marymanzaretto 

In this episode of the Move Supply Chain podcast, host Lara Guevara sits down with Izzy Rosenzweig, CEO of Portless, to explore the innovative strategies that are transforming how direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands manage their logistics and supply chain operations. Izzy shares his journey from starting in the DTC space to leading Portless, a company known for its cutting-edge logistics solutions. They discuss the unique challenges DTC brands face, the importance of agile inventory management, and how Portless helps brands reduce lead times, improve cash flow, and expand globally.

Key Topics Covered: 

Tune In: Don’t miss this insightful conversation on how to revolutionize your DTC logistics strategy. Listen now and take the first step toward building a more efficient and scalable supply chain with Portless, brought to you by Move Supply Chain.

Interested in learning more about how Portless can optimize your DTC brand's logistics and supply chain? Visit Portless.com to explore their services, watch a video tour of their facility, and get in touch.

You can also connect directly with Izzy on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) for more insights and to discuss how Portless can support your business:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/izzy-rosenzweig-13653846/⁠ 

X: @IzzyRosenzweig

For more great content like this, be sure to follow Move Supply Chain, the team behind this podcast.

Connect with Us:

Website: Move Supply Chain

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/move-supplychain/ 

X: @movesupplychain

In this episode, we dive deep into the intricacies of supply chain management across various product types, including food, formulated products, and finished goods. Join host Lara and our expert guests—Joanna Ngoh, a seasoned supply chain manager with 15 years of experience, Mary Jay Menzerato, a logistics and production planning expert, and Jay Marvin Bobier, a new product development lead—as they discuss the unique challenges and strategies involved in bringing different kinds of products to market.

From the complexities of coordinating with R&D teams for formulated goods to the fast-paced demands of apparel production, our guests share their insights on how to navigate the challenges of product development, maintain quality assurance, and ensure timely delivery. Whether you're managing a supply chain or looking to optimize your product launches, this episode offers valuable lessons for anyone in the e-commerce space. Tune in to learn how to tailor your supply chain strategy to fit the specific needs of your products and how to turn potential obstacles into opportunities for growth.

Join Lara Guevara and Glaiza Ilagan, Managing Partners of Move Supply Chain, as they share their experiences at the Canton Fair. Discover the benefits of attending in-person events, the importance of third-party quality control with V-Trust, and the valuable lessons learned from a plant visit in China.

Whether new to the supply chain industry or a seasoned professional, this episode offers actionable insights to enhance your supply chain strategies.

In this episode, we sat down with Vic, a leading figure in logistics, known for his innovative approach with Falcon and TGB freight companies.

Key highlights include:

This episode is a must-listen for e-commerce enterprises, DTC brands, and individuals intrigued by the pivotal logistics underpinning global trade. Vic's proficiency not only sheds light on the operational facets of freight forwarding but also provides strategic perspectives for businesses striving to streamline logistics, cut expenses, and bolster reliability. Don't miss out on firsthand insights!

In this episode, Lara dives into open blanket purchase orders (POs), highlighting them as a versatile tool in supply chain management.

Tune in to learn about:

Links:

twitter.com/supplychainwomn

morenow.co

In this episode, Lara delves into the crucial landscape of China sourcing for e-commerce businesses. She emphasizes the noteworthy presence of Chinese-made goods in the U.S. market, providing statistics that reflect a rebound in Chinese imports from the previous years.

Topics covered in this episode:

1. Strategies for navigating the intricacies of the Chinese market

2. The dynamics of the Chinese markets and tips

3. Practical steps for overcoming challenges

4. Emerging trends in China manufacturing in 2024

Link:

Use discount code: Wendy Liu SNUS

Lara and her guest inventory planner Tere dive into the intricate dance of inventory optimization in this episode. Listen to a discussion on mastering the delicate equilibrium between overstock and stockouts, especially during peak seasons. Whether you're new to inventory management or a seasoned professional, there's a lesson or two here for everyone.

Some questions they answer are:

Trivia: Lara and Tere have done hands-on work together as Supply Chain Professionals several times. Tere has been instrumental in growing an e-commerce apparel business with Lara from 400K to 10M in 2 years!

Knowledge is power — and in some cases, it's profit. Join Lara as she breaks down Section 321 Shipments, a key provision for U.S. businesses involved in international trade. She discusses how this can be a game-changer for your e-commerce operations, particularly for managing import duties on those shipments valued at under $800.

Highlights of this episode:

Extra Resources

Dive deeper with these helpful links and resources on Section 321: