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Join Renaud Anjoran, Founder & CEO of Sofeast, in this podcast aimed at importers who develop their own products as he discusses the hottest topics and shares actionable tips for manufacturing in China & Asia today!
WHO IS RENAUD?
Renaud is a French ISO 9001 & 14001 certified lead auditor, ASQ certified Quality Engineer and Quality Manager who has been working in the Chinese manufacturing industry since 2005. He is the founder of the Sofeast group that has over 200 staff globally and offers services (QA, product development & engineering, project management, Supply Chain Management, product compliance, reliability testing), contract manufacturing, and 3PL fulfillment for importers and businesses who develop their own products and buyers from China & SE Asia.
WHY LISTEN?
We‘ll discuss interesting topics for anyone who develops and sources their products from Asian suppliers and will share Renaud‘s decades of manufacturing experience, as well as inviting guests from the industry to get a different viewpoint. Our goal is to help you get better results and end up with suppliers and products that exceed your expectations!
Episodes
Friday Oct 03, 2025
Friday Oct 03, 2025
In this episode, Adrian is joined by Kate, Sofeast's head of Supply Chain Management, who has just returned from IFA Berlin, Europe’s biggest consumer electronics trade fair. Together, they share key takeaways from the event, focusing on how PR can make or break your trade fair success. This episode offers actionable advice on getting media coverage, generating leads, and making the most out of your investment in trade shows.
Episode Sections:
00:00 – Intro
01:11 – First Impressions of IFA Berlin
05:01 – Why PR Preparation Matters
10:16 – Capturing Leads & Pre-Orders
13:46 – IFA vs. CES Traffic
16:31 – Tools, Takeaways & What’s Next
18:41 – End | Wrap-Up
Related content...
- How To Get More Out Of A China Trade Fair Visit For Importers
- How To Fight Back Against Fake Goods In China Trade Shows
- The Evolution of Hong Kong Trade Shows
- China Trade Shows: Don’t Get Your New Product Designs Stolen
- Check out the Artronic Komutr we were supporting: Komutr.io
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Friday Sep 26, 2025
Friday Sep 26, 2025
In this episode, Adrian is joined by Renaud Anjoran to explore fail-safe design principles: essential thinking for anyone developing most kinds of products.
Through real-world examples ranging from Tesla doors to Boeing and consumer electronics, they highlight how designers must ask: “If this fails, what happens to the user?”
They break down why it matters, what trade-offs exist, and how structured risk analysis, simplification, redundancy, and error-proofing can dramatically reduce hazards and costly failures.
Episode Sections:
- 00:00:03 – Introduction
- 00:01:00 – Tesla door handle fail-safe issue
- 00:02:32 – Building lock systems vs. car safety
- 00:05:55 – Structured thinking in fail-safe design
- 00:07:21 – Designing with users in mind
- 00:09:02 – Risk analysis methods: FMEA & fault tree analysis
- 00:11:10 – Catastrophic failures & extreme examples
- 00:12:18 – Everyday product applications
- 00:14:21 – Principle: Simplification in design
- 00:16:13 – Redundancy in critical systems
- 00:20:30 – Battery management & safety logic
- 00:20:34 – Human error and mistake-proofing
- 00:23:09 – Error-proofing examples: tables & plugs
- 00:23:41 – Trade-offs and cost considerations
- 00:26:03 – Testing, regulations & standards (UL, ETL, etc.)
- 00:27:11 – Summary & wrap-up
- 00:28:07 – Final thoughts & listener takeaway
- 00:28:19 – Outro
Are you designing a new product?
Ask yourself: “If this fails, what happens?”
Visit Sofeast.com to learn how our quality, reliability, and product development teams can support you in building safer, more reliable products.
Related content...
- Fail Safe Design Principles & Examples | Product Risk Reduction
- Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 Near Disaster! Quality & Reliability Issues?
- Why Product Safety, Quality, and Reliability Are Tightly Linked
- Tesla’s Cybertruck Debacle: Reliability, Politics, & Plummeting Sales [Podcast]
- We can do your manufacturing at Agilian Technology
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Friday Sep 19, 2025
Friday Sep 19, 2025
In episode 293 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian is joined by Sofeast’s Head of New Product Development, Paul Adams, for the final part of their trilogy on polymers.
When people think of plastics, they usually picture injection molding. But it’s far from the only available process. We'll break down the major polymer processing methods, including injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, thermoforming, rotational moulding, and additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing).
They explain:
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Why your product’s geometry may rule out certain methods
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The strengths and weaknesses of each process
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Typical products made using each technique
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How process choice impacts cost, speed, surface finish, and performance
This conversation will help you match the right process to your product and avoid costly mistakes.
Episode Sections:
- 00:00 – Introduction
- 01:05 – Why process choice matters: geometry, cost, and performance
- 04:55 – Injection molding: strengths, limitations, and common products
- 10:29 – Extrusion: pipes, profiles, and aligned mechanical properties
- 14:23 – Blow molding: bottles, containers, and even stadium seats
- 21:23 – Thermoforming: clamshell packaging, tubs, and larger liners
- 26:24 – Rotational molding: playground equipment, cones, and kayaks
- 30:34 – Additive manufacturing (3D printing): filaments and prototypes
- 34:52 – Wrapping up: how to decide and next steps with your manufacturer
Need help choosing the right polymer for your product? Sofeast’s product engineering team supports you from design through to production: Contact us for a conversation.
Related content...
- Plastic Injection Molding Questions: 17 FAQs Businesses Need Answers To
- This is the third podcast in a trilogy. Listen to the other two here: When To Sign Off On Injection Mold Tooling? Inside the Journey from DFM to T0→T2 and Plastic Playbook: Choosing The Right Polymer
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Friday Sep 12, 2025
Friday Sep 12, 2025
Choosing the right polymer for your plastic parts can significantly impact the success of your product. In this episode, Adrian and Paul Adams from Sofeast explore the most common polymers used in manufacturing, from everyday workhorses like ABS to high-performance engineering plastics and sustainable bioplastics.
They cover the strengths, weaknesses, and real-world applications of each group, plus share a cautionary case study where a material change led to product failure. The episode wraps up with advice on additives, testing, and key considerations to ensure your material choice supports your product’s success.
Episode Sections:
- 00:00 – Introduction
- 00:55 – Why Polymer Selection Matters
- 04:49 – ABS and Its Blends – The Workhorse Polymer
- 08:27 – Commodity Polymers – PP, PC, HDPE
- 16:20 – Engineering Polymers – Nylon, POM, PCTG
- 26:19 – Case Study: A Costly Material Change
- 32:42 – Flexible & Sustainable Options
- 38:42 – Key Additives and Modifiers
- 40:17 – Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways
Need help choosing the right polymer for your product? Sofeast’s product engineering team supports you from design through to production: Contact us for a conversation.
Related content...
- Plastic Injection Molding Questions: 17 FAQs Businesses Need Answers To
- Plastic Enclosures for Electronics Projects (Plastics Sourcing Guide)
- How to Test Plastic Material Properties
- Avoiding 9 Plastic Injection Molding Defects: Key Preventive Measures
- Injection Mold Textures: How to Choose the Right One?
| Polymer Selection Guide: Summary Table | |||||
| Polymer Family | Key Strength & "Personality" | Typical Tensile Strength (MPa) |
Typical Impact (Izod, J/m) |
Key Limitations | Best For Applications Like... |
| COMMODITY / WORKHORSE POLYMERS | |||||
| PP (Polypropylene) | The Low-Cost Champion | 25 - 40 | 20 - 80 | Poor UV resistance, difficult to bond, can be brittle with fillers. | Food containers, living hinges, consumer goods, automotive interiors. |
| Lightweight, chemical resistant, versatile. | |||||
| HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) | The Chemical & Moisture Barrier | 20 - 30 | 40 - 200 | Low strength and stiffness, poor temperature resistance. | Milk jugs, shampoo bottles, chemical tanks, food-safe packaging. |
| Excellent chemical resistance, moisture barrier, food-safe. | |||||
| ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) | The All-Rounder | 40 - 50 | 200 - 400 | Poor UV and weather resistance, low heat resistance. | Electronic housings, automotive trim, consumer product shells, LEGOs. |
| Best balance of strength, rigidity, impact, and surface finish. | |||||
| ENGINEERING / PERFORMANCE POLYMERS | |||||
| PC (Polycarbonate) | The Impact-Resistant Shield | 55 - 75 | 600 - 850 | Prone to scratching, susceptible to chemical stress cracking. | Safety glasses, bullet-resistant windows, transparent machine guards, electronic covers. |
| Exceptional impact strength, transparent, high heat resistance. | |||||
| PC+ABS Blend | The Balanced Hybrid | 45 - 55 | 300 - 500 | Properties are a compromise; not as good as pure PC or ABS in their top traits. | Automotive dashboards, laptop housings, power tool bodies. |
| Perfect balance of PC's strength/heat and ABS's processability/finish. | |||||
| PA (Nylon / Polyamide) | The Strong & Tough Workhorse | 80 - 120* | 40 - 150 | Absorbs moisture, which affects dimensions and properties. | Gears, bearings, automotive under-hood parts, mechanical components. |
| High strength, stiffness, wear resistance, and heat resistance. | (with 30% GF) | ||||
| POM (Acetal) | The Precision Engineer | 60 - 70 | 60 - 120 | Poor resistance to strong acids and bases. | Precision gears, conveyor belts, fasteners, zippers, fuel systems. |
| High stiffness, low friction, excellent fatigue resistance. | |||||
| PCTG (Tritan™) | The Tough & Safe Transparent | 50 - 55 | 700 - 900 | Higher cost than PC or ABS. | Medical devices, baby bottles, small appliances, drinkware. |
| High clarity, excellent impact/chemical resistance, BPA-free. | |||||
| FLEXIBLE / ELASTOMERIC POLYMERS | |||||
| TPE (General) | The Soft & Squishy Gripper | 20-Oct | N/A (Elongation: 300-600%) | Lower durability and chemical resistance than TPU/TPV. | Soft-grip handles, bottle stoppers, squeezable toys. |
| Soft, flexible, easy to process, cost-effective elastomer. | |||||
| TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) | The Abrasion-Resistant Tank | 25 - 35 | N/A (Elongation: 400-600%) | Can be susceptible to humidity during processing. | Phone cases, watch bands, athletic shoe soles, protective covers. |
| Extreme abrasion and tear resistance, tough, flexible. | |||||
| TPV (Thermoplastic Vulcanizate) | The Weather-Resistant Seal | 15-Oct | N/A (Elongation: 300-500%) | Softer, less rigid than TPU. | Automotive seals & gaskets, weather-stripping, outdoor hose coatings. |
| Excellent heat, weather, and UV resistance like traditional rubber. | |||||
| SPECIALTY / SUSTAINABLE POLYMERS | |||||
| PLA (Polylactic Acid) | The Sustainable Candidate | 50 - 70* | 15 - 30 (Brittle) | Very brittle, low heat resistance, degrades in humid environments. | Disposable cutlery, packaging, 3D printing filament (prototyping). |
| Biodegradable, bio-based, rigid. | (highly variable) | ||||
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Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Starting October 1st, 2025, the Chinese government is enforcing stricter export compliance rules that could significantly disrupt supply chains. Exporters will need to disclose the manufacturer’s identity and prove that every component was purchased the formal way, with aligned flows of materials, contracts, and tax invoices.
In this short bonus episode, Renaud Anjoran explains:
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What the “formal way” means in practice
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How these rules may impact VAT rebates and why non-compliant products will no longer qualify
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The risks of drop-shipping and direct sourcing under the new system
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Why a rush on shipping and limited Hong Kong warehouse space could cause delays
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Immediate steps you should take to protect your supply chain before the deadline
If you manufacture in or export from China, this is urgent information you can’t afford to ignore.
Extra reading
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Friday Sep 05, 2025
Friday Sep 05, 2025
In episode 290 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Renaud Anjoran is back and joins Adrian to explore seven common pitfalls that can derail manufacturing projects during the critical transition from prototype to production.
A working prototype may look and feel like the final product, but moving from prototype to mass production is a far more complex journey than most teams expect.
From premature tooling to unreliable crowdfunding campaigns, missing test plans, and skipped pilot runs, these mistakes can cost enormous time, money, and credibility if not handled correctly.
Episode Sections:
- 01:19 – Why moving from prototype to production is more complex than expected
- 04:26 – The analogy of the factory as “a big 3D printer” and why it’s wrong
- 05:42 – Preview of 7 pitfalls discussed in this episode
- 05:56 – Pitfall #1: Confirming a product design that isn’t ready for mass manufacturing
- 10:02 – Pitfall #2: Going for tooling before the product design is frozen
- 13:40 – Pitfall #3: Running a Kickstarter/Indiegogo campaign too early
- 19:33 – Pitfall #4: Crowdfunding with no margin (and the debt it creates)
- 23:30 – Pitfall #5: Not preparing a test plan for performance and reliability
- 27:29 – Pitfall #6: Skipping pilot runs before mass production
- 30:07 – Pitfall #7: Failing to have the manufacturer sign a development/manufacturing contract
- 36:01 – Recap of all 7 pitfalls and final thoughts
Related content...
- The New Product Introduction Process Guide
- Product Tooling: Possible To Avoid Paying for it in Full?
- Crowdfunding Failures: 4 Great Prototypes That Failed To Launch
- Prototype, Patent, then Market: A Misguided Concept
- Avoid Sending Immature Product Designs to a Chinese Manufacturer!
- How Reliability Testing Is Critical To Obtaining Great Mass-Produced Products
- Why A Pilot Run On A New Product, Before Mass Production, Is Very Helpful
- How To Create A Valid Manufacturing Contract In China To Protect Your IP
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Friday Aug 29, 2025
Friday Aug 29, 2025
Episode 289: Adrian is joined again by our head of New Product Development, Paul Adams, to explore the complexity of plastic injection mold tooling and what it takes to go from tooling design to mass production of plastic parts. They explore the full journey, from DFM and tool design through trial runs (T0, T1, T2) to final sign-off and mass production. Along the way, they highlight common pitfalls, golden samples, and why rushing into production can be a costly mistake.
You'll love this episode if you’re developing plastic products, as it will help you to avoid surprises and manage expectations in the new product introduction (NPI) process.
Episode Sections:
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(00:00:03) Introduction to episode 289
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(00:00:13) Adrian welcomes back Paul Adams
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(00:00:35) Today’s topic: plastic injection mold tooling and its complexity
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(00:01:11) From DFM to mass production – the journey explained
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(00:02:01) Why tooling is expensive and misunderstood
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(00:02:48) The role of DFM (Design for Manufacturing) in tooling
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(00:05:13) Customer involvement and asking the right questions
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(00:05:19) Tooling design: bolster set vs. core and cavity
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(00:06:21) Material procurement and standard vs. custom components
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(00:09:01) Machining the tool: CNC, EDM, wire cutting, polishing
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(00:11:12) Metal safe condition and first fitting
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(00:11:59) The T0 trial run explained
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(00:13:42) First look at molded parts and making big adjustments
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(00:15:09) The T1 trial run with virgin polymer
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(00:15:57) Inspection reports and customer sign-off
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(00:18:00) Surface texturing between T1 and T2
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(00:18:14) T2 trial – final tuning and sign-off preparation
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(00:19:02) Phase gates link: tooling to mass production
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(00:20:19) Golden samples and color consistency checks
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(00:22:02) Why being on the ground in China helps with sign-off
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(00:23:23) Limit samples and customer approval process
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(00:23:55) The importance of T0–T2 for expectation management
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(00:24:58) Why not to rush into mass production
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(00:25:02) Links to prototypes and phase gate methodology
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(00:26:05) Don’t sign off tooling until everything is consistent
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(00:26:59) Moving into mass production and ongoing monitoring
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(00:28:28) Tool lifespan and long-term considerations
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(00:28:48) Wrapping up: intricacies of tooling complexity
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(00:29:16) Sofeast NPI guide and related video resources
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(00:30:16) Looking ahead: polymers and material selection
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(00:30:45) Closing remarks and call to action
Related content...
-
How We Work With You On New Product Development & Manufacturing Projects - Agilian NPI Process
- Tooling Management for Plastic Injection Molds in China
- 7 Key NPI Tasks Before Production
- The Conundrum of Investing in Tooling Before a Final Prototype
- Inside the Tooling: Common Plastic Injection Mold Components Explained
- Understanding Plastic Injection Mold Tooling Complexity, from DFM to T1, When Manufacturing in China (Video)
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Friday Aug 22, 2025
Friday Aug 22, 2025
Adrian is joined once again by Paul Adams, the Sofeast Group’s Head of New Product Development, based at Agilian Technology, our contract manufacturer, to discuss the importance of phase gate (or stage gate) reviews in new product introduction (NPI).
When developing and manufacturing a product, rushing forward without checks at key stages can lead to huge risks: design flaws, wrong materials, costly tooling mistakes, or even losing contracts. Paul explains how phase gates work as a “traffic light system” that ensures your project only moves forward when requirements are met, risks are managed, and budgets/resources are aligned.
Regarding YOUR new product launch project. Listen and then ask yourself: Are you blending phases and hoping for the best, or are you applying disciplined checks that save time, money, and stress in the long run?
Episode Sections:
- 00:12 – Introduction
- 00:50 – Why phase gates matter
- 02:42 – What phase gates are
- 05:17 – Implementing phase gates
- 18:58 – Case study (failure)
- 31:18 – Case study (success)
- 33:31 – Best practices
- 35:13 – Wrap-up
Related content...
- Phase-gate process - Wikipedia
- The New Product Introduction Process Guide - Guide
- An Importer’s Guide to New Product Manufacturing in China - FREE PDF eBook
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How We Work With You On New Product Development & Manufacturing Projects - Agilian
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Friday Aug 15, 2025
Friday Aug 15, 2025
Tariffs, shifting trade policies, and unpredictable order patterns are creating a “stop–go” manufacturing environment in China. For buyers, this means unexpected quality issues, capacity crunches, and supply chain instability.
In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, Renaud Anjoran and Adrian from the Sofeast team break down the real-world impact of the US–China trade war as of August 2025. Drawing from first-hand observations in Chinese factories, they explain how rapid swings in orders, staffing changes, and material substitutions can put your product quality and timelines at risk, even if you’re not selling to the US.
If you source from China or work with Chinese manufacturers, this discussion makes you aware of the hidden risks caused by market instability, and offers strategies to protect your interests.
Episode Sections:
- 00:00 – Introduction and why China’s manufacturing sector is unstable right now
- 01:01 – How US–China tariffs create a “seesaw” effect: front-loading orders, sudden slowdowns, and ripple effects through the supply chain
- 05:02 – Inside the factory: whiplash in capacity, fixed costs, and the risks of unplanned subcontracting
- 11:16 – Factory cost-cutting responses: wage cuts, temporary workers, and seasonal hiring challenges
- 18:39 – Order bunching, Chinese New Year parallels, and the quality risks of untrained staff and inspectors
- 25:00 – Material substitutions without buyer approval, visibility in the supply chain, and controlling quality under instability
- 32:45 – Building stronger relationships, smoothing production, and financing suppliers to maintain stability
- 37:45 – Wrap-up and buyer takeaways
Related content...
- Inside China’s fast-fashion factories as a US trade war looms - Guardian podcast
- China factories cut shifts and workers' pay as US tariffs bite - Reuters
- Read about product quality inspections
- Get help to check on your suppliers, wherever they are in Asia or beyond
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Friday Aug 08, 2025
Friday Aug 08, 2025
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...
- What is a pilot run?
- The NPI Process: Trouble Awaits If You Skip Its Steps!
- The New Product Introduction Process Guide
- How we help you get to market faster (at our contract manufacturer)
- Pilot Run Best Practices
Get in touch with us
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