Articles
Lessons from the factory floor.
Hard-won notes on sourcing, costing, and quality from 13+ years making products in China — the things I wish every team knew before they wired their first deposit.
Working in ChinaJune 15, 2026 · 2 min read
Why 'yes' doesn't always mean yes
Most manufacturing disasters I've seen weren't technical — they were communication failures. After 13 years here, this is how I keep 'yes' from becoming a $40,000 surprise.
ReadCostingJune 9, 2026 · 2 min read
What 'landed cost' actually includes
The factory quote is the number everyone fixates on — and it's often barely half of what a unit really costs to land on your dock. Here are the line items teams forget.
ReadSourcingMay 28, 2026 · 2 min read
How to vet a factory before you wire a deposit
A supplier's quote tells you almost nothing about whether they can actually build your product. Here's what I check — in person — before a cent moves.
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