What a RP Delivers

Research Projects Offer Mawson Global Customers Peace of Mind 

Global sourcing can provide significant cost and time saving benefits to companies, while increasing their profits and strengthening their overall business. Yet the risks and time commitment required to successfully utilise global sourcing can be overwhelming.

If your company is considering global sourcing for one or several products, you need all the facts up front – before you make a decision. Mawson Global’s research project (RP) offers the vital information your company needs to make an informed decision about global sourcing. 

A research project provides a detailed analysis of global sourcing for a particular product. Projects are based on specifications, such as volumes and prices, you provide in a sourcing request document. Mawson Global then takes these specs and conducts comprehensive research on sourcing for that product, including:

Sourcing  recommendations – One of the most useful components of the research project is a list of reliable potential suppliers and their locations. Mawson Global starts with 30 to 40 supplies and uses your criteria to narrow down the list to the best possible matches. This detailed and proven process is what distinguishes us from other sourcing providers, and it’s what makes us your best ally for global sourcing your products.

Estimates and ratings – The research project offers a break down of numerous estimates, by supplier, for global sourcing a product, including approximate landed cost, current cost, potential wholesale price, retail price, potential profit and savings, margin, approximate annual volume, potential annual profit, potential profit in three years, and annual import spend. It also features ratings on each supplier’s efficiency, reliability, and quality system.

Product samples – We ship several samples directly to your office for review. This saves you time and confusion in trying to request multiple samples from various suppliers and discern one sample from another. 

Next steps  –  Mawson Global provides a detailed prospectus of the follow-up steps your company needs to take in order to maximize the information in the research project, including supplier visit and sourcing project information, and move forward with your global sourcing initiatives.

A research project is a valuable tool in determining whether global sourcing is right for a particular product, and ensuring your company maximizes the benefits of partnering with an international supplier. Mawson Global doesn’t just provide research into globally sourcing a product; we provide a full spectrum of services to assist you with the entire process – from start to finish.

For more information or to request a research project, please contact us at 1 300 723 246 or online at mawsonglobal.com/contact.

What to Expect During Supplier Visits and How Mawson Global Can Help

When you’re contemplating visiting your suppliers, it’s helpful to remember some advice from “Sesame Street:” “Asking questions is a good way of finding things out.”

At Mawson Global, we have the expertise and the skills to make supplier visits successful -- and educational. Whether you need a guide on-site or someone to visit potential suppliers on your behalf, we can help.

If the supplier is new to your organization, one of your primary goals should be to validate claims that they make in sales presentations and proposals. If the supplier is one that you already use, it’s helpful to conduct an annual renewal evaluation or a periodic cost negotiation.

Here are some tips on how Mawson Global can help you get the most out of a supplier visit:

• Visit the receiving dock. On the dock, we can help you find the names of suppliers and the quantities of raw materials on hand. We will help you compare the information that you have received from cost-analysis negotiations to what we can observe on-site.  Here is a great place to see if the product you are buying is really made in the factory or just shipped in from the real producer!
  
  
• Visit the shipping dock. Here we can see the condition of finished goods, observe the quality inspection process and learn how shipments are handled.  Making sure the quality inspectors (preferably third party) understand what you are looking for is one of the most important issues to solve on a supplier visit.
  
  
• Talk to the sales staff. We ask how orders are received, entered, and queued for production or fulfillment, and whether electronic notifications to the customer are available at every step.
  
  
• Talk to line employees. We’ll check on company morale and organization, and ask specific employees specific questions. For example, it’s helpful to ask machine operators about their productivity per hour so you can verify any commitments the sales team has made to order delivery dates.
  
  
• Talk to management. We’ll ask about such things as communication structures, employee turnover, and how long management has been in place. If relevant, we’ll help you peruse the company’s financial statements and business plan.  Here you are trying to get a feel for how committed the whole company (not just the sales department) are to your project.

Mawson Global is able to minimise the risks associated with global sourcing specifically because we have employees based in the countries where the suppliers are located. Our sourcing directors know which questions to ask, and we understand the local languages and cultures.

We’ll find a supplier who understands your quality requirements, and with whom you can develop a long-term partnership. Most importantly, our service will slash your costs and increase your profits.

Get your free, no-obligation QuickLook Analysis by filling out our QuickLook enquiry form.

How to Avoid Common Global Shipping and Logistics Mistakes

As a business owner, you are (rightly) focused on the quality of your product and how it will satisfy your customer when it reaches its destination -- hoping for customer satisfaction and an ongoing relationship.

But spare a thought -- or two -- for the time in between, when your product has left your warehouse and is en route to your customer.

Global logistics and shipping mistakes, sadly, are easily made if you don’t know what to look out for. The good news is that these errors are often easy to identify and correct.

To help you avoid any snags, here are four common global shipping and logistics mistakes -- and how to avoid or fix them.

1.  Choosing the wrong shipping company. There is no one international shipping vendor or method that works in every circumstance. Once you realise that, you can research shipping companies that have established relationships with customs in certain destinations. Choosing a company that meets your criteria may speed delivery to your customers. Check the shipper’s references and ask questions: How many years has it been shipping to that country? How many transactions has it handled? How many employees work on the ground? Most shippers who maintain a strong presence in a country will also have a physical office there.
2. Packing shipments incorrectly and using incorrect addresses. It’s always important to make sure your shipments are packaged correctly to make sure they arrive intact. Find out how many times a shipping container will be handled, and the mode of transportation to be used. Also be aware of regulations on shipping containers in the destination country. Finally, though it seems like a no-brainer, make sure that you have the correct address especially if delivering to a third party!
3. Know who will be shipping your goods. When you contract with a shipping service to ship your product, you might assume that the company will handle the shipping itself. However, that company often turns over the shipment to a shipping management company. Before you hire a shipping company, ask what management company it uses, and find out if the delivery date and/or method is guaranteed.

No matter what your logistics or shipping quandary, Mawson Global can help! We maintain staff in the world’s fastest-growing regions, and we can answer these questions and solve global sourcing problems before they become actual problems. Contact us today and let us show you how we can help grow your business!

5 Benefits Global Sourcing Organisations Can’t Afford to Ignore

No matter your organisation’s size or the volume of your order, there is no question that global sourcing can dramatically increase your profits.

Many companies are still making procurement decisions based mainly on unit cost. But the global explosion of technology, well-educated workers, and capital has made it possible to literally have the entire world competing for the opportunity to sell to your business.

For most big corporations, global sourcing is not a matter of choice, but of necessity. The days of simply finding the best contract you can with suppliers with whom you frequently interact are gone. Now, you can partner with suppliers from across the globe.

Mawson Global understand the benefits of global sourcing – after all, we’ve been helping companies with it for more than a decade. However, we recognise that you might still need a little convincing. So, here are five advantages of global sourcing that you can’t afford to overlook.

• A reduction in costs, especially labour costs. Most Mawson Global clients save at least $100,000 on their first project, and their savings are typically 40 to 70 percent of domestic prices. In 2012, we saved our clients more than $19 million.
  
  
• Access to fresh research, design, and specialised intellectual capital.
  
  
• Availability of new technology and capacity. A number of companies source overseas because domestic suppliers lack the capacity and they’re not making the necessary investments to stay competitive.
  
  
• Superior quality. Many companies praise the quality of internationally sourced products compared to domestic products, mainly because of supplier investment in technology and capacity to attract global business.
  
  
• Companies can focus on their core processes and have more capital to invest in them.
  
  

Whatever product you’re seeking, Mawson Global can find you a reliable, more cost-effective overseas supplier. We have professional teams on the ground in Asia that help businesses around the world safely minimise any risks involved in global purchasing.

Mawson Global is confident that we can assess your potential cost-savings without disrupting your supply chain. We are not broker-agents; our services are fee-based, and we work without taking a commission. Our research and advice are completely independent and unbiased.

Utilising our services for your global sourcing needs is a simple process that provides you with all the information, feedback, and recommendations you need to successfully source your company’s products.

Want to know if Mawson Global sourcing is right for your company? Take our 10-product challenge. We’ll ask you to name five to 10 products that you now buy from an importer, and then we’ll work to find those items from a cheaper global supplier. The input is minimal – all it takes is a few minutes of you time – but the benefits will likely be substantial!

For more information about how Mawson Global can help you with all your global sourcing needs, please contact us online!

4 Steps of Working with Mawson Global

Global sourcing offers companies a wealth of cost and time saving benefits that strengthen their businesses, improve revenue, and drive growth. However, to fully take advantage of these benefits, you need a reliable partner that can help you navigate the global sourcing process and ensure you’re getting the best value and highest quality products.

As a leading authority on global sourcing, Mawson Global offers a comprehensive array of services that allow you to better source your products, and provide peace of mind that you’re working with trustworthy and affordable suppliers.

Utilising our services for your global sourcing needs is a simple, easy, four-step process that provides you with all the information, feedback, and recommendations you need to successfully source your company’s products.

Step 1 - QuickLook Analysis

A QuickLook Analysis provides an overview of the potential savings your company can experience for a specific product by working with Mawson Global. This free report provides general product specifications, approximate annual volume, cost of ownership information, total annual savings, and more. To get your free quick look analysis, simply take our 10 Product Challenge online, and you’ll receive your report within 10 days.

Step 2 – Research Project
Mawson Global’s research project provides a comprehensive analysis of a specific product to be sourced. Just fill out our sourcing request document, which includes project specifications, such as volume and prices. We then perform detailed research on sourcing the product by reviewing 30 to 40 potential suppliers and narrow them down to the top three based on your specific criteria and our proven selection process. We then compile all the information you need to choose a supplier, including estimates, ratings, and next steps. We also collect samples from each supplier so you can compare the quality of each company’s product. Within three weeks, you’ll receive a complete report for one low flat fee. 

Step 3 – Supplier Visits

With our local sourcing professionals as your guides, Mawson Global accompanies you to supplier visits so you can speak directly with potential partners, identify opportunities, and conduct in-house audit procedures. These visits offer you a chance to see potential suppliers, and their operations, first-hand before selecting one that best meets your organisation’s needs. Our supplier visit assistance is available for an affordable daily rate. We can also have one of our local directors visit suppliers on your behalf if you’re unable to make the trip. 

Step 4 – Sourcing Project
Once you’ve selected the right supplier, you need to make sourcing your product a reality. When you choose Mawson Global for your sourcing project, we streamline the entire process by managing every aspect – from product design to delivery – for one flat fee. We assist you in finding and working with trusted experts on important facets of the sourcing process, including contract negotiations, compliance and local laws, quality control, labelling, supply chain logistics and shipping, and setting up procedures. We are with you for every step in the process and act as your organisation’s global sourcing team.

Mawson Global has been in the global commerce business for more than 70 years, so we understand the complexities of the sourcing process, how to navigate them, and ultimately make your company a global player. Our goal is always to ensure you save money by globally sourcing your products, and find a reliable, cost-effective, overseas supplier that can be a long-term asset to your company.

For more information on our global sourcing services, please contact us via our website or call 1300 723 246.