In this episode of The Supply Chain of Thought, Laura continues her conversation with Michael DeClerk, Founder & CEO of CPG Sourcing, as they dive deeper into CPG’s upcoming ebook, An Advanced Guide to China Sourcing and Procurement.

Building on Episode 5, this discussion walks through three critical chapters of the book:
-Quality assurance in China – from prevention to precision
-Contract negotiation and legal enforceability in China
-Communication as strategy across cultures, languages, and time zones

You’ll hear real-world stories from decades of China sourcing:
-When quality was “too good” and the buyer asked to lower quality
-A famous toy recall case that shows why specification detail matters
-Why “I trust my supplier” is not a contract strategy
-How a simple misunderstanding turned a Pantone-red pump into royal blue inventory
-Why communication failures create downstream supply chain disasters

In this episode, we cover:
00:00: Intro & recap of Part 1: Chapters 1 & 2
01:36: Chapter 3 Quality Assurance in China 
02:12: The “three essentials” of China sourcing: price, quality, on-time delivery
03:50: Durability: from 50¢ spatula to $5,000 aerospace component
12:20: CPG’s three-tier quality assurance system (regulatory, functional, aesthetic)
20:45: Chapter 4 Contract Negotiation
25:10: Seasoned buyers with no contracts
30:28: Chopped contracts
38:48: Six core pillars of a strong China sourcing contract
40:41: NNN agreements, tooling/molding contracts & master service agreements
43:10: Chapter 5: Communication as strategy: culture, language and “saving face”

Get notified when the ebook is released and access more resources on China sourcing: Visit our website: https://cpgsourcing.com/

If you'd rather read than listen, you can find the full transcript here: https://cpgsourcing.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Podcast-EP6-Transcript.docx.pdf

🎧 Subscribe to The Supply Chain of Thought for more deep dives on China sourcing, contracts, risk management, and international supply chains.

#ChinaSourcing
#SupplyChain
#QualityAssurance
#ChinaManufacturing
#Procurement
#SourcingStrategy
#Contracts
#NNNAgreement
#QualityControl
#GlobalTrade
#CPGSourcing
#SupplyChainOfThought

If you're enjoying this episode, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We share supply chain news, sourcing tips, industry updates, and more. Just search for CPG on LinkedIn and join the conversation. Or use this link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpgsourcing/

📢 Want Expert Supply Chain Support?

CPG Sourcing helps businesses across all industries import from China with confidence. With 46+ years of sourcing expertise and a dedicated team on the ground, we secure high-quality products at the best price—delivered on time. Schedule a free consultation at cpgsourcing.com/book-a-call and mention Supply Chain of Thought for 10 extra resource hours in your first month!

💡 Stay Connected!
Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at CPG Sourcing for more expert insights. Got a sourcing question? Drop us a message—we might answer it on the show! 🚀

In this episode, we open "An Advanced Guide to China Sourcing and Procurement": CPG’s first-ever ebook. Chapters 1 and 2 lay the foundation for smarter sourcing: understanding the modern China supply landscape, supplier psychology, and how to position your business for long-term success.

Be sure to subscribe and stay tuned as we release this valuable tool soon that will help you learn how to identify reliable manufacturers, avoid common pitfalls, and apply proven frameworks that elevate sourcing efficiency and profitability.

Ideal for sourcing managers, procurement leaders, and importers who want to gain a strategic edge in direct-from-China operations.

#ChinaSourcing #Procurement #GlobalTrade #SupplyChain #Manufacturing #ImportExport #SourcingStrategy #BusinessGrowth

📢 Want Expert Supply Chain Support?

CPG Sourcing helps businesses across all industries import from China with confidence. With 46+ years of sourcing expertise and a dedicated team on the ground, we secure high-quality products at the best price—delivered on time. Schedule a free consultation at cpgsourcing.com/book-a-call and mention Supply Chain of Thought for 10 extra resource hours in your first month!

💡 Stay Connected!
Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at CPG Sourcing for more expert insights. Got a sourcing question? Drop us a message—we might answer it on the show! 🚀

In today’s unpredictable world, what matters more...the strength to survive disruption or the speed to adapt?

In Episode 4 of Supply Chain of Thought, host Laura Dow and CPG founder Michael De Clercq break down the crucial difference between resilience (the defensive ability to recover) and agility (the offensive ability to pivot fast).

Drawing from decades of sourcing experience across China and Southeast Asia, they share real-world examples that prove why agility is emerging as the 21st-century sourcing superpower. Today's episode covers:
-Why agility is often cheaper and faster than resilience
-The strategies and tools behind each approach
-Why China outpaces other regions in agility
-How to build agility without losing resilience
-Practical “what-if” drills to future-proof your supply chain

Whether you’re a CPG brand, sourcing leader, or supply chain strategist, this episode will sharpen how you think about risk, speed, and long-term advantage.

#SupplyChain #CPG #ChinaSourcing #Agility #Resilience #GlobalTrade #SupplyChainLeadership #Manufacturing #FutureOfSupplyChains #BusinessStrategy

If you're enjoying this episode, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We share supply chain news, sourcing tips, industry updates, and more. Just search for CPG on LinkedIn and join the conversation. Or use this link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpgsourcing/

📢 Want Expert Supply Chain Support?

CPG Sourcing helps businesses across all industries import from China with confidence. With 46+ years of sourcing expertise and a dedicated team on the ground, we secure high-quality products at the best price—delivered on time. Schedule a free consultation at cpgsourcing.com/book-a-call and mention Supply Chain of Thought for 10 extra resource hours in your first month!

💡 Stay Connected!
Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at CPG Sourcing for more expert insights. Got a sourcing question? Drop us a message—we might answer it on the show! 🚀

Last month, CPG attended the 2025 American Supply Chain Summit in Dallas. In this special episode of Supply Chain of Thought, we’re unpacking the real conversations that happened and what companies are talking about in regards to tariffs and AI.

From billion-dollar companies like Amazon, P&G, and Bombardier to nimble operations trying to survive the US–China trade tension, the struggles are real and the solutions are surprisingly practical.

#SupplyChain #ProcurementStrategy #Tariffs2025 #USChinaTrade #ManufacturingMatters #Reshoring #GlobalTrade #CPGInsights #SupplyChainPodcast #SupplyChainLeadership #TradeWar2025 #SmartSourcing #LogisticsLeaders 

📢 Want Expert Supply Chain Support?

CPG Sourcing helps businesses across all industries import from China with confidence. With 46+ years of sourcing expertise and a dedicated team on the ground, we secure high-quality products at the best price—delivered on time. Schedule a free consultation at cpgsourcing.com/book-a-call and mention Supply Chain of Thought for 10 extra resource hours in your first month!

💡 Stay Connected!
Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at CPG Sourcing for more expert insights. Got a sourcing question? Drop us a message—we might answer it on the show! 🚀

Welcome back to CPG’s Supply Chain of Thought Podcast! In this episode, host Laura Dow and Michael De Clercq, an expert in China sourcing, break down how tariffs are reshaping the U.S. transportation industry.

From the rising costs of trucks, ships, and airplanes to the fuel price hikes and shifting supply chains, we analyze the real-world impact of trade policies on logistics, trucking, and freight. Are there any upsides? Can businesses adapt? And is the threat of tariffs worse than the tariffs themselves?

Join us as we navigate these challenges and uncover strategies that transportation businesses can use to stay resilient.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts for expert insights on tariffs, trade, and the future of logistics!

If you're enjoying this episode, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We share supply chain news, sourcing tips, industry updates, and more. Just search for CPG on LinkedIn and join the conversation. Or use this link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpgsourcing/

📢 Want Expert Supply Chain Support?

CPG Sourcing helps businesses across all industries import from China with confidence. With 46+ years of sourcing expertise and a dedicated team on the ground, we secure high-quality products at the best price—delivered on time. Schedule a free consultation at cpgsourcing.com/book-a-call and mention Supply Chain of Thought for 10 extra resource hours in your first month!

💡 Stay Connected!
Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at CPG Sourcing for more expert insights. Got a sourcing question? Drop us a message—we might answer it on the show! 🚀

Will Trump’s potential tariffs on China change global sourcing forever? We break down the real impact of a possible 60% tariff on Chinese imports, the best strategies for businesses, and whether nearshoring, reshoring, or diversifying is the way forward. 

In our first-ever episode of the Supply Chain of Thought Podcast, CPG CEO & Founder, Michael De Clercq, joins Business Director Laura Dow to explore the hard truths behind shifting production away from China. Will tariffs actually happen? Should companies move out of China? Is Vietnam or Mexico a better option? How can can your business stay competitive?  What’s your strategy? 

Let us know in the comments! Subscribe for more expert insights on supply chain and global trade!

#SupplyChain 
#globaltrade  
#chinasourcing  
#trumptariffs  
#Manufacturing 
#Tariffs 
#businessstrategy  
#importexportchina  
#supplychainmanagement  
#Sourcing 
#tradewar2025  
#USChina 
#Reshoring 
#Nearshoring 
#businessgrowth  
#economy  
#globaleconomy  
#ManufacturingTrends 
#CPG 
#Podcast

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Importing or sourcing from China? From finding suppliers to doing factory audits and evaluating shipping costs, this channel will give you new ideas, tips, and the proven methods you need to know to import on-time, quality products from China.

CPG has been helping businesses around the world manage their China supply chain with the best price, superior quality, and on-time delivery since 1978. We have a 97% client satisfaction rate, and our clients save an average of 18% on their first costs when working with us. 

Subscribe to our channel to learn more about our teams and how to buy direct from China.

For all inquiries: [email protected]

📢 Want Expert Supply Chain Support?

CPG Sourcing helps businesses across all industries import from China with confidence. With 46+ years of sourcing expertise and a dedicated team on the ground, we secure high-quality products at the best price—delivered on time. Schedule a free consultation at cpgsourcing.com/book-a-call and mention Supply Chain of Thought for 10 extra resource hours in your first month!

💡 Stay Connected!
Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at CPG Sourcing for more expert insights. Got a sourcing question? Drop us a message—we might answer it on the show! 🚀