Diversification isn't about the number of vendors, but independent supply paths.

“China + 1” sounds good in theory. In practice, many supply chains are still “China + China + China.” Diversifying sourcing doesn’t always mean reducing exposure. Many “new” suppliers still rely on the same Chinese inputs or logistics networks. And when one link falters, the illusion of independence disappears fast. Takeaway: Diversification isn’t about the number of vendors. It’s about independent supply paths. Audit your overlap before the next disruption does it for you.

“China + 1” sounds good in theory. In practice, many supply chains are still “China + China + China.” Diversifying sourcing doesn’t always mean reducing exposure. Many “new” suppliers still rely on the same Chinese inputs or logistics networks. And when one link falters, the illusion of independence disappears fast. Takeaway: Diversification isn’t about the number of vendors. It’s about independent supply paths. Audit your overlap before the next disruption does it for you.

Global sourcing is shifting. With fewer businesses importing from China and U.S. sourcing on the rise, supply chains are adapting to new realities.

Many think sourcing from China is as simple as going on Alibaba and finding a factory. Here’s the truth: most of those listings aren’t factories, they’re agents. Working with agents can make sense in some cases, but it often leads to higher costs, limited visibility, and more back-and-forth. When you work with a trusted sourcing company like Connected Sourcing, you gain direct access to verified factories, transparent pricing, and consistent quality control. With unknown agents on Alibaba, you risk miscommunication, hidden markups, and unreliable suppliers. Watch the video below to learn more. #Sourcing #Manufacturing #China #SupplyChain #Procurement #BusinessStrategy

𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬: 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃, many companies built their sourcing models around one goal — 𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭. Asia, especially China, was the default destination for global manufacturing. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃 𝐡𝐢𝐭. Suddenly, it became clear that optimizing only for cost meant ignoring a far bigger factor: geopolitical risk. When borders closed and trade routes froze, supply chains built purely on low-cost logic couldn’t deliver. 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃, tariffs became the next stress test. Many organizations again felt the pain of overreliance on countries now exposed to trade barriers. The lesson is simple — category strategies must 𝐠𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭. They need to reflect: • Geopolitical and trade risks • Supplier diversification across regions • The willingness to pilot new countries and technologies • A balanced approach between cost efficiency and supply resilience In the next decade, the strongest supply chains won’t be the cheapest — they’ll be the 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞.

Global freight markets are navigating renewed turbulence as demand rebounds across Asia and volatility returns to the major trade lanes.
Find out how tightening capacity and shifting regulations are shaping supply chain strategies this autumn. https://lnkd.in/e7ieqYmy 🇬🇧🇪🇺 UK & Ireland operations are now Hecny Forwarding. You can follow their new page @ https://lnkd.in/dAi6WVNB

Are you considering diversifying your supply chain? The “China Plus One” approach is growing fast as companies look to reduce risk and explore new markets. But managing sourcing and logistics across multiple countries? That’s where complexity kicks in.   Jens Wessel, our Global Head of Sales & Marketing at Toll Global Forwarding, shares three emerging markets to watch and the key risks to consider when entering a new market. 📩 Read his full insights in our latest Looking Forward newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gbcZw7t8

Why China Remains a Strong Sourcing Choice? In international procurement, there is a recurring observation: the cost price of products sourced from China remains remarkably competitive, even when factoring in: Import duties and taxes Rising global freight and logistics costs Exchange rate fluctuations 💡 Despite these elements, China continues to offer more attractive pricing compared to many other sourcing regions. And beyond price, quality has significantly improved over the past decade. Yes — some European suppliers justify higher pricing with: Strict compliance with EU norms and certifications Clear regulatory documentation Stable and consistent quality However, when we speak in terms of Value for Money, the Chinese market remains a strong leader across several industries. Its adaptability, manufacturing capacity, and progressive quality improvements are now undeniable. --- ✅ What Makes China Competitive: High production capacity and scalability Fast innovation and product development cycles Optimized and mature supply chain processes A difficult-to-beat Quality / Cost balance --- ⚠️ The Main Challenge > Lead time. Ocean transit delays, port congestion, and scheduling uncertainties require strong planning, demand forecasting, and effective inventory management. --- 🎯 Conclusion To remain competitive, organizations should: Diversify sourcing, but also Continue leveraging China where it delivers the best cost, quality, and reliability ratio. --- #Sourcing #Procurement #SupplyChain #InternationalTrade #GlobalSourcing #CostEfficiency #ValueForMoney #ImportExport #Manufacturing #Production #QualityControl #StrategicSourcing #LogisticsManagement #ChinaSourcing #BusinessStrategy #OperationsManagement #CompetitiveAdvantage #MarketAnalysis #PurchasingManager #SupplyChainProfessional #ProcurementExcellence #Sourcing #Procurement #SupplyChain #GlobalSourcing #CostEfficiency #ValueForMoney #InternationalTrade #LogisticsManagement #ChinaSourcing #ImportExport

Taiwan’s Strategic Role in North American Trade Taiwan continues to strengthen its position as a trusted and high-value trading partner for the United States and Canada. In 2024, Taiwan ranked 7th among U.S. trading partners by total trade volume, with over $158 billion in goods exchanged. This relationship is built on: * Advanced manufacturing and semiconductor leadership * Reliable intellectual property protection * Transparent business practices and confidentiality standards For companies looking to collaborate in high-tech sectors, Taiwan offers a compelling alternative with strong legal frameworks and growing trade agreements—such as the U.S.–Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and Canada’s FIPA agreement with Taiwan. As global supply chains shift, Taiwan is not just a supplier—it's a strategic partner. #Trade #Taiwan #Canada #IPProtection #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #shearscrew

Today's lesson reveales secrets about what really drives import profits 💱 A lesson on trade terms in my China program just changed how I view entire industries. We were analyzing "FOB"(free on board ),when I realized: this isn't just theory , it's the invisible engine behind every successful import business. While everyone negotiates product prices, professionals focus on the "point of risk transfer".⛴️ The moment goods cross the ship's rail: - Supplier responsibility ends 🇨🇳 - Your control over costs and logistics begins,as an importer 🇹🇳 This single contractual term determines who actually controls the supply chain. Most never see it coming. Some of the most powerful business insights hide in the technical details everyone else skips. #Logistics #SupplyChain #InternationalTrade #ImportExpert #BusinessStrategy #china #ecommerce