COSMO SOURCING BLOG

James Kennemer James Kennemer

How To Find Vietnam Furniture Manufacturers // Furniture in Vietnam Sourcing Guide

Vietnam, known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is fast emerging as a heavyweight in global furniture manufacturing. The blend of meticulous craftsmanship, steeped in centuries of tradition, with modern sustainability practices, places Vietnam on the map as a desirable hub for furniture sourcing. The nation has increasingly become a magnet for buyers around the globe seeking high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally responsible furniture pieces. But what catalyzes this booming sector? How does the interplay of tradition and modernity contribute to the global appeal of Vietnam’s furniture manufacturing industry?

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

What Questions Should You Ask Suppliers To Verify If They Are Sustainable, Ethical, Or Eco-Friendly?

Diving into the world of sustainable and ethical manufacturing is like stepping into a realm that promises a better business model and a better world. However, just like any worthy quest, it's peppered with challenges requiring a solid due diligence armory. When looking for sustainable suppliers, particularly in a domain as intricate as the garment industry in Vietnam, you're essentially weaving through a narrative as old as the industrial era itself.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Sustainable Wood Manufacturing And Sourcing // How To Find Ethical Timber Manufacturers

Have you ever stopped to think about the impact of deforestation? It's not just about trees disappearing; it's a crucial environmental issue that affects us all. Picture this: vast forests, teeming with diverse life forms, working behind the scenes to regulate our climate and absorb harmful carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, there's the catch - they're vanishing at an alarming rate, especially in tropical regions. This could mean trouble for our planet's delicate balance.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How To Find Sustainable and Ethical Factories // What is Ethical Manufacturing and Sourcing

The world is becoming a more ethical and sustainable place. The challenges of climate change have caused all of us to rethink our environmental goals. Many companies are turning to eco-friendly sourcing. But how can you be sure the source you are purchasing your goods from is following environmental guidelines? Many have certifications they can provide clients. These certifications will likely be on their websites. But if you don’t see a logo, you can always ask

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

What Is Sourcing In Business? // How To Use Sourcing To Your Advantage!

In the rapidly evolving world of global trade and procurement, navigating the complexities of international sourcing is a critical challenge for businesses aiming to optimize their supply chains. Particularly in manufacturing hotspots like Vietnam and China, the intricacies of sourcing can be daunting, involving not just identifying the right suppliers but also ensuring quality, compliance, and cost-effectiveness. This is where a specialized company like Cosmo Sourcing plays a pivotal role. With its deep expertise and strategic approach, Cosmo Sourcing stands as an invaluable partner for businesses seeking to leverage the manufacturing capabilities of these regions. By aligning sourcing strategies with business objectives and navigating the unique challenges of these markets, Cosmo Sourcing helps businesses transform their sourcing processes into a competitive advantage. Here's an in-depth look at how Cosmo Sourcing can facilitate and enhance the sourcing efforts of companies in the complex landscapes of Vietnam and China.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Where To Source Products Outside Of China // Pros And Cons Of Top China Manufacturing Alternatives

China used to be the premier location for sourcing products. Still, rising labor costs and increased tariffs make manufacturers look for alternatives to China. Trump’s 25% tariff on imported Chinese goods raised the costs of sourcing products in China. The rising wages in large Chinese cities also make it hard for investors to profit while maintaining their factories on Chinese soil.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Best 15+ Alibaba Alternatives In India List // How To Find Indian Products And Manufacturers

Alibaba is the standard for sourcing in China, but now so much in India. So what are the best Alibaba Alternatives for India? Sourcing Hub lists the best resources for sourcing suppliers, manufacturers, and products. This guide will include tips for finding wholesalers in India and manufacturers. We give a total overview of importing from India for businesses of all sizes.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How To Create A Production Manual // 5 Steps To Write A Guide For Manufacturing Your Product

A production manual is a set of instructions you present to a manufacturer in a factory to ensure your product gets made at a high-quality standard. Writing a production manual is easy! The production manual can be simple instructions written in Microsoft Office or Adobe Illustrator. We’ve outlined a 5-step guideline for writing a production manual below. Welcome to our official guide on creating a production manual for a product. There are language barriers to manufacturing products in nations like China and Vietnam, so your instruction manual has to be concise and easy to follow for the manufacturing team.
Our step-by-step guide will focus on the key software tools, writing instructions, and methods needed to convert spec sheets and tech specs into a top-tier product manual that factory owners can follow.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How To Create A Clothing Tech Pack // Guide To Apparel, Textile, And Garment Product Spec Sheets

Creating a clothing tech pack for your clothing project requires time and commitment to bring concept ideas to life.
Suppose you want to create a clothing brand. In that case, you will spend hours developing illustration ideas by gathering inspiration and creating mood boards and hand-drawn drawings. But when it gets to turn those designs into real clothing, your factory will need more than just that imaginative data collection.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How to Find Clothing, Garment, and Textile Manufacturers in China // Top 10 Chinese Cut and Sew, and Garment Factories List

China has been a significant global apparel and garment industry player for almost two decades. However, as part of being a member of the World Trade Organization, Chinese garment and clothing production and sales have improved significantly, primarily due to increased western industry. With more than 100,000 suppliers, the Chinese textile industry is enormous and employs more than 10 million people. In 2012, China manufactured 43.6 billion pieces of clothing worth US$ 153.2 billion for export.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How to Start A Clothing Line and Work with Garment Manufacturers // Complete Guide

Do you want to know what it takes to create a successful clothing line business in fashion? With the competitiveness, the uncertainty, and even the coercion of the fashion world, you may be afraid that as an outsider with no expertise, you may not be able to launch your brand of clothes.
Starting a brand of clothes can be an excellent way for an entrepreneur to create a new business. Suppose you’re trying to create a basic line of printed garments or would like to develop a whole range of cut & sew featuring different items and decorative additions. In that case, this article will teach you how to begin a clothing line. Depending on the sort of clothing line you choose to create, there are likely to be several different steps associated with the process. The longer you want to be interested in clothing manufacturers and developing your line, the more time, commitment, and resources you’ll have to spend.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Vietnam Electronics Manufacturing And Sourcing Guide

Electronics is a major Vietnamese trade resource. The country is a main contributor to the electronics import and export market. It is known for its stability, affordability, and attractive tax incentives.
Because Vietnam offers so many benefits in the electronic industry, it’s a good source for businesses looking for wholesale products. But navigating trade in a foreign country comes with its share of challenges. This article will give you a breakdown of Vietnam’s electric manufacturing industry so you know what to expect.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

What Is A Sourcing Agent? What do Sourcing Agents Do?

In the complex tapestry of international trade and manufacturing, sourcing agents stand out as crucial facilitators, bridging the gap between global businesses and local markets. As companies increasingly look beyond their borders to enhance their product lines, reduce costs, and tap into new markets, the expertise of sourcing agents becomes indispensable. This article delves into the multifaceted role of sourcing agents, highlighting how they operate as the linchpins in the intricate world of global sourcing.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Understanding Amazon FBA Barcodes // How To Get GS1, EAN, UPC, FNSKU Barcodes

Check out our step-by-step guide on Barcodes for Amazon FBA. FBA Barcodes are critical to ensuring that Amazon can receive and stock your FBA product. You must understand what type of barcode you need and how to apply it. We cover everything you want to know!

If you are selling on Amazon, you must know that you have to have a barcode so that amazon can track your products in its system. Amazon is very strict about what barcodes can be used and how they are applied. So please read this guide in full so that your product arrives in Amazon’s fulfillment center ready to sell.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

What Do ODM And OEM Mean? // ODM vs. OEM vs. Contract Manufacturing Defined

What do OEM, ODM, and Contract Manufacturing mean? Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM), Original Design Manufacturing (ODM), and Contract Manufacturing (CM) are three important keywords to know when you are looking for a supplier of our product. It’s important to know what each is so you can be selective in your search. ODM vs. OEM. When looking for a manufacturer for your products, there are three basic types of manufacturing arrangements, Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM), Original Design Manufacturing (ODM), and Contract Manufacturing (CM). So what are the Benefits of ODM vs. OEM vs. contract manufacturing?

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How To Make Product Samples With A Factory Guide

Ordering and evaluating product samples from a manufacturer is a great way to determine the quality of the product before you make a purchase order. This step comes after sourcing and before initial production. It would be best if you made sure that the product samples match your expectations of the final goods, as manufacturers will be used the samples as a benchmark when it goes into production.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Incoterms 2020, Shipping, and Trade Terms defined // What Does EXW, FOB, DDP, DPU, FCA, CIP Mean?

Incoterms are created by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to dictate when and how a shipment will be handed off between a buyer and a supplier. The ICC updated the terms into what is called Incoterm 2020. Incoterms also define who is expected to pay the insurance and when the risk transfer happens between the buyer and the seller. This is the first time that the Incoterms drafting group has included representatives from China.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Incoterms 2020 vs 2010 // Changes Between The 2020 Incoterms and the 2010 Incoterms

Incoterms are created by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to dictate when and how a shipment is to be handed off between a buyer and a supplier. The ICC updated the terms into what is called Incoterm 2020. Incoterms also define who is expected to pay the insurance and when the transfer of risk happens between the buyer and the seller. This is the first time that the Incoterms drafting group has included representatives from China.

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