Hvers vegna skreyting a n�r heimili � Postul�n er the sami eins og innflutningur fr� Postul�n!

Ef �� alltaf - buy a n�r heimili � Postul�n �� vita �essi ert uppseldur ber algerlega t�mur me� steinsteypa veggur og g�lf. There er neitun einangrun, neitun g�lfefni, neitun m�la, neitun p�pa, neitun t�ki, � meginatri�um �merkingur. This er the e�lilegur sta�all � Postul�n og there er a gr��arst�r heimili skreyting og gera upp i�na�ur �essi hefur been skapa vi� the ��rf af h�seigandi �fulln�gjandi til skreyta �eirra me� heim�r� ��ur �hrifamikill � �v� �eir dont’ vilja til hreyfa inn � ��kve�inn greinir � ensku t�mur skel.

Svo hvar �a� gets �hugaver�ur er hven�r �� ey�a a t�luver�ur magn af t�mi a�ger� �inn h�nnun af hvernig the heimili �xl huga a� hva�a tegund af efni h�r ni�ri er r�ttl�tur a stuttur listi af the hlutur �� ver�a �huga.

Eldh�s �� vilja ver�a a� �huga allt fr� the g�lf til the sk�pur og t�ki og jafnvel the rafl�gn fyrir the rafmagn og the fals � the veggur. Loftop, b��arbor� albestur, krani, p�pa, og the listi goes �.
�b�� �� vilja ver�a a� �huga allt fr� the g�lf til the loft og veggur til hvar �� geta tappi �inn t�lva e�a vitaskip inn �. L�sing, skrautlegur fastur b�na�ur, m�la, og the listi goes �.
A�al�� Sv��i �� vilja ver�a a� �huga allt fr� the g�lf til the loft og m�la til - electric �trennsli og einangrun til, ef �� l�ngun, undir the g�lf upphitun kerfi.
�ti Sv��i �� vilja ver�a a� �huga allt fr� hva�a er laus ( eins og - electric �trennsli, l�sing) til hva�a er � the j�r�.
Ba�herbergi �� vilja ver�a a� �huga allt fr� the g�lf til the �vo kassi til the ker e�a steypiba� og allur the efni fl�kinn eins og heilbrig�ur eins og the p�pul�gn til hvernig erfi�leikar vilja f� inn � the ba�herbergi.
Geymsla Sv��i R�ttl�tur eins og the yfir, �� vilja ��rf til �huga allt.
Veggur til Dyra�rep P�tt upp auka�j�nusta veggur fyrir a geymsla sv��i til samt�ningur �t dyra�rep fyrir s�rhver herbergi til the �tidyr af st�l ( � Postul�n the a�al�� dyr til the heimili er yfirvega�ur gagnr�ninn og oft sinnum �a� geta vera a m�lmur dyr me� annar m�lmur b�r eins og verndun dyr ��ur �a�).

Rafl�gn og P�pul�gn �a� er jafnvel gagnr�ninn til tryggja �� hugsa ��ur � this fyrir the allur h�s og hvar �a� vilja vera setja og hvernig �a� vilja vera einangra og a�gangur fyrir gera vi� � the framt��.

N�, hugsa ��ur � a�ger� this fyrir the fyrstur t�mi og ekki having hver sem er annar en a vinur e�a a �ttingi hj�lpa �� gera ekki minna en this undirf�rull the heimili, �ekkja the efni, og �tl�na allur the regla og vi�mi�unarreglur til tryggja the heimili skreyting fyrirt�ki gefa �� the heimili �� vilja � f�einir m�nu�ur eftir � sm��i er allur heill. Hlj�� erfi�ur? J� �a� er og �essi er eini the byrjun. Ef �� raunverulega vilja �inn heimili, � Postul�n ( og hugsanlega margir annar sta�ur � the ver�ld), til �tlit eins og hva�a �� af �settu r��i og hafa the efni �� vilja � me�an tilvera verktaki the vegur �� tl�na � the regla og vi�mi�unarreglur me� r�ttur a�g�t og eftirtekt – �� hafa tveir valkostur.

�� ver�a a� pers�nulega skj�r ekki minna en this og von �� hafa n�gur vitneskja ( og ef �� gera �� that’s mikill) til vita, skj�r, og endursko�un the skreyting fyrirt�ki �� taka � leigu svo eins og til tryggja �eir ert algerlega h�pur stu�ningsmanna the h�nnun �� fundarhamar ��, buying og using the efni �� bei�ni, og h�pur stu�ningsmanna the regla og vi�mi�unarreglur �� tl�na. l�klegur �� vilja ekki hafa the t�mi s��an �a� er a fullan vinnudag starf og l�klegur �� vilja ekki hafa the vitneskja s��an �� don’t eiga svo sem a skreyting fyrirt�ki. Let’s vera hei�arlegur – geta �� jafnvel byrja til �mynda s�r hva�a er hreinskilnislega nau�synlegur h�r? Ef it’s ekki �inn fullan vinnudag starf �� let’s r�ttl�tur segja the svar er algerlega neitun.

Taka � leigu einhver hver vita this og geta vera fj�rhaldsma�ur! � Postul�n, traust er ��kve�inn greinir � ensku mikilv�gur eign eins og �a� er � allir annar land. Uppg�tvun a fj�rhaldsma�ur verkefni framkv�mdastj�ri e�a g��i framkv�mdastj�ri til vera fullkomlega me�vitandi af �inn af nau�syn og l�ngun og vinna hvor dagur me� the skreyting fyrirt�ki er gagnr�ninn ef �� vilja �inn heimili til vera hva�a �� af �settu r��i me� the efni �� valinn h�pur stu�ningsmanna the regla og vi�mi�unarreglur �� tl�na. Margir K�nverji fj�lskyldu- hafa stofna, eftir � f�einir m�nu�ur e�a f�einir �r, hven�r vandam�l byrjun s�ning upp � �eirra me� heim�r� �essi �eir �xl hafa nota�ur svo sem a manneskja e�a fyrirt�ki. The vandam�l haf �t um allt the sta�ur g�lfefni byrjun tilkoma upp og �t, t�gulsteinn ert brot � sundur, p�pa ert orsakabundinn sam�j�ppun og kreat�n molds, eldh�s sk�pur ert brot e�a neitun langl�fi vinnandi, m�la er sprunga, loft fastur b�na�ur ert tilkoma � sundur, og jafnvel the m�ttur �trennsli ert ekki vinnandi. Margir sinnum, the vandam�l ert fr� the skreyting fyrirt�ki erfi�ur til vinna s�r inn auka�j�nusta peningar vi� ekki buying the efni �� bei�ni en sta�gengd me� eitthva� gera �d�ran e�a langt gera �d�ran. Til vi�b�tar, the vandam�l r�sa fr� the skreyting f�lagi r�ttl�tur erfi�ur til lj�ka vi� �inn heimili eins og br��um eins og �eir geta og ekki h�pur stu�ningsmanna the regla og vi�mi�unarreglur �� bei�ni – �essi er hvers vegna �� endir upp me� galla�ur rafl�gn, sl�mur m�la fullger�ur, f�t�kur t�gulsteinn og g�lf vinna, og a fj�lbreytni af annar t�lubla�.

Svo SourceJuice, hva�a hjartarskinn allur this ver�a a� komast af me� innflutningur fr� Postul�n? Heilbrig�ur, ef �� tlit yfir � the tveir valkostur �� mega finna sumir n�kv�mur l�king til uppspretta og innflutningur fr� Postul�n. G��i gerast hven�r �� annar hvor stinga inn the t�mi e�a hafa einhver annars gera �essi fyrir ��. There ert margir K�nverji f�lagi og birg�asali �essi tolla vi� til giving �� the bestur vara fyrir the peningar �� ert providing that ��, en �v� mi�ur there ert ( eins og einhvers sta�ar � the ver�ld) langt fleiri hver r�ttl�tur sj� �� e�a �inn fyrirt�ki eins og fyrsta flokks t�mi samningur – f� �inn r��, byggja �a� flj�tur ( hugsanlega f�fr��ur ma�ur �inn efni ��rf og vi�mi�unarreglur e�a sta�all) og skip �a� �t til grei�ist af vi�takanda the handb�rt f� eins og flj�tt eins og m�gulegur � the festa magn af t�mi. This er raunveruleiki og �a� doesn’t st��va r�ttl�tur �v� a fyrirt�ki er sannanlegur e�a a fj�rhaldsma�ur birg�asali e�a jafnvel ef it’s einhver �� hafa vi�skipti me� fyrir sumir t�mi.

Taka annar l�ta � the SourceJuice hluturVara sig the Millili�ur og Leita a� the Millig�nguma�ur fyrir a raunverulegur l�f ford�mi hvar �a� var a l�till seint til gefa � tekjur a �ri�ji flokkurinn (the fj�rhaldsma�ur f�lagi) og � eftirhyggja the kennslustund l�r�ur var einn af rannsaka the t�mi e�a rannsaka the peningar til tryggja �� ert ekki undrandi vi� sl�mur fr�ttir en fremur f� hva�a �� b�ast vi�. Jafnvel the �rl�ti og h��r�a�ur f�lagi � the ver�ld andlit this kennslustund – rifja upp this sta�a � the Heparin hneyksli fyrir enn annar ford�mi. Ef �� fylgisma�ur the fr�ttir � the Heparin uppspretta t�lubla�, �� vilja finna �essi �a� vir�ast til be a matter of substituting ingredients to make a larger profit.

Many of you will say the analogy of the home and importing from China can come from anywhere in the world. That in fact, this happens even in America as well as London to Russia and Brazil. Yes it does, it isn’t just a China challenge, it is your challenge when you invest in a product and find a supplier to generate your orders into shipments. It is your opportunity to work with such a supplier to generate the profits you so desire at the margins that led you to come from all over the world to China. It is your due diligence that will either make you vastly successful or vastly in debt if not wondering how you ever got into the situation you did.

The smart and successful companies and people that import from China know (like the Chinese home buyer who is investing either their time or their money on a trusted partner) that everything needs to be managed and that means everything. Yes there is a cost to managing everything in time and expense, but in the end the time and money you save by not having to deal with crisis situations to substitute materials will far outweigh the time and money you invested!

And in case you’re wondering what the final apartment looks like…

May 11, 2008 | Filed Under Quality Control | 1 Comment

One Man’s Challenge Is Another Man’s Treasure Home Building Materials, part 3 of 3 and continuing.

Welcome back to SourceJuice and the treasure of knowledge in sourcing for home building materials and products that truly make sourcing from China a golden opportunity for those willing and determined to reap the benefits of going direct to the source. If you haven’t already read the first two parts to this series, go here to #1 and #2.

Now to part 3 as SourceJuice explores the different components of home building materials and products.

Appliances – every house, condominium or apartment has them. There are many pieces to fitting a home (microwaves, vent hoods, stoves) and builders absolutely love to save as much money as they can – they want to pay as little as possible. However, this is an area to stay away from as builders have a period of warranty they must deal with and parts for Chinese appliances are hard to acquire. Even if you get a builder crazy enough (trust me all builders have crazy in them), it will be a hard sell for the final customer the homeowner who is going to ask why the appliances are not name brands like GE, Whirlpool, Jenn-Air, Sub-Zero, etc. So SourceJuice’s advice, in the US and Canadian markets at least, is to stay away from this area and save yourself time and money for other areas as noted below.

Hardwood Flooring – there is competition in this category from contractors, national wholesalers like Space Flooring and online retailers like flooring.com. Check prices everywhere before you get into this game. This is one of the most expensive items to the builder and one of the better opportunities if done right. This is where private labeling may make sense to reap even larger benefits. Most builders check prices and look for cheap and easy solutions, but just because you are the cheapest does not mean you will get the deal. Be cautious of laminate hardwood flooring as builders will opt instead for cheaper engineered flooring. Also be cautious of hardwood flooring materials with protective sealing materials, when you spill something the liquid is never able to escape, causing mold. Builders are aware of this and most will stay away from these products.

High End Roofing Tiles this is your million dollars and more opportunity just waiting for new businesses to enter the market. Look for slate tiles from the same companies you purchase granite through in China. Many builders are also looking at synthetic alternatives to save a buck. Without a doubt, this is an area where price is critical and so are choices. Not a bad place to also start your own private label brand and build a long term business.

Custom Doors builders spend an incredible amount of budget dollars on custom doors. Many of the reasons builders do not buy doors, in general, direct from a distributor is because of the finishing that is required (hinge mounts, door knob holes, etc). When we are talking custom doors, we are talking Georgia Art Glass. This is a very detailed industry with standard sizes, glass types, etc. Know your business before getting into this area but SourceJuice believes this is one area where unique ideas and designs can truly bring you significant opportunities to make money. Don’t just think doors here, think lifestyles, security, glass and wood, metal and wood, sculpted, embedded with granite fixtures, and the list can go on about how unique design and your ideas can create new and highly desired models for people and builders looking to create a unique look for their homes. Another great place to start your own private label products that may start as your brand but soon could be a name brand if done right.

Fireplaces – Great margins, little market saturation, every house needs one (maybe more). Another area looking for innovative products and a great way to think about how your partner companies in China can, with your ideas or theirs and some unique designs to sizes, create a very large business.

Fireplace mantels look into marble slate, crushed limestone, plaster composite and low end mantels for opportunity and to be unique. Builders buy a lot of mantels from companies like Valencia Accents. You could easily do the same with the right partner in China.

Travertine Tile If you are in the USA, go Mexico. You can bypass steam ships, railroads and import duties thanks to NAFTA. The only cost you will incur is product and domestic freight across the border to your loading dock (approximately $1,300USD). Need a suppler, try Impameric. This is an expensive item on builders’ budgets, but watch out for Home Depot (they have the price jump on everything) and other large home improvement retailers as they will be tough competition. For other markets in other countries, once again China is your factory and partner unless your country is imposing tariffs.

Lighting & Ceiling Fans there are a lot of the big companies like Progressive Lighting in the game already manufacturing overseas. What SourceJuice has noticed recently are import companies bringing in light fixtures with no pre-planned pricing schedule. This market is relatively new to the small import shops and they haven’t quite figured out pricing yet. The major retailers (Home Depot, Lowe’s, B&Q, etc.) all have a stock of their own private label products and are making good margins here. There are thousands of ceiling fan and light fixture manufacturers in China and this creates great opportunities for smart importers. Get unique, great looking, upscale product at great prices and you have opportunity. Once again, everyone with enough determination can buy product from China at great prices (even with all the changes in currency, labor, raw materials, etc.) but the key is not just buying and selling but rather giving yourself a competitive position.

SourceJuice is a firm believer that companies succeed by offering value that is not so easily found – that means you either have great prices and decent product, great products at decent prices, or unique products at whatever price you can set with the end buyers. Looking back at this article and all the prior ones in this series and what you will find is that there is opportunity everywhere. So many companies, started by 1 or 2 persons, started from nothing and made fortunes. The companies and people that make fortunes and continue to make fortunes are always the ones that are excellent in one or many ways and the real treasure is in being unique, reliable, fast, and knowing your business.

Sourcing is for the strong, the determined, and those who know that it is not easy but that is why there is opportunity and that is why every treasure takes a map. That map is not easily found but for those of you reading this should already know that you are far more prepared and far more knowledgeable than most of your competition and yes – information is power. Now you know why most of your competitors or even others outside of your business do not want to share their supplier and their buyer information – because that is power, that is knowledge, and that is their supply and demand chain.

Next week we will bring you part 4 in this series. Thanks for reading and see you soon at SourceJuice.

Dylan Blankenship signature
dylan@sourcejuice.com Dylan Blankenship

May 4, 2008 | Filed Under Sourcing Guides | Leave a Comment

Should You Diversify Your Supplier Base?

It takes time to develop a successful relationship with suppliers. For many importers, once this relationship is stable, they are hesitant to keep looking for other factories to produce the same product. There are certainly benefits to working with as few suppliers as possible such as gaining economies of scale, stability in terms of quality assurance and predictability as far as shipping schedules.

However, with the recent inflation in China, partly due to decreases in VAT rebates, many factories are raising costs hand over fist. When a factory decides to raise your costs, you have 3 options:

1. Eat it You need the product. You have no other options.
2. Try to Negotiate Perhaps you can knock the price down a bit; however, you will still agree to a price increase and you have no real way of knowing whether the price increase is reasonable.
3. You’re Prepared with Alternative Factories You’ve got secondary suppliers that could take up part of (or all of) future orders. You can play your suppliers off of each other, dangling carrots as necessary, and make sure that the price increases are reasonable.

Jason Busch at Spend Matters, adds an additional insight on why you should diversify your suppliers in his article Split of Business: The Best Sourcing Justification for Supplier Diversity?

By dangling the carrot of additional business out to the secondary suppliers, a buying organization can get them to invest more in the relationship than they otherwise would. Out of this might even come joint innovations or even new product ideas.

And at the end of the day, aren’t we all looking for better, more interesting products (at cheaper prices)?