Businesses that want to reduce costs without compromising quality increasingly use low-cost country sourcing. But it’s important to remember that this strategy comes with some risks.
To mitigate these risks, businesses should prepare an exit strategy in case of unexpected obstacles like political upheavals or legal challenges. Read on to learn more.
Product Specificity
A company must be specific about the type of goods they seek from a low-cost country. This is important as it reduces risk and allows for a flexible and diversified supply chain.
It also allows companies to source products that would be cost-prohibitive to produce locally. This makes it much easier to diversify a business catalog, providing a better value proposition for customers.
Additionally, a plan B should be in place to mitigate risks. Any time a company does business with suppliers in another country, there are always the chances that things can go wrong. A plan B in case of political instability, currency values, legal challenges, or even price increases will allow the company to switch suppliers quickly and continue production without interruption.
Quality
Regarding procurement, it’s essential to find a supplier that provides quality products at an affordable price. This is especially true when you’re dealing with low-cost countries. However, several factors can affect the quality of your goods.
Establishing clear contracts with your suppliers and maintaining communication channels is crucial to avoid misunderstandings and delays that could lead to lower product quality or even intellectual property infringement. Moreover, it’s helpful to negotiate long-term contracts with your suppliers to ensure supply continuity and strengthen your relationship with them.
This can also minimize shipping costs and ensure you get the right savings from your LCCS strategy. The more reliable your supplier, the less likely you’ll have to deal with issues like lead-tainted toys or other unforeseen consequences.
Logistics
Businesses that depend solely on local manufacturers will only see profitability rise slowly if they are lucky enough to have abundant raw materials and parts. Shipping costs can add up and overtake the defined profit margin.
Developing marketplaces offer numerous competent suppliers capable of raising production volumes and lowering costs. However, a business must consider the language, culture, tariffs, and import/export rules.
Moreover, companies must prepare an exit strategy for their LCCS procurements. Unexpected obstacles such as political upheavals, changes in currency value, or unexpectedly high prices can significantly hamper the intended cost savings. A well-defined objective with clear milestones and a robust top-down management commitment is necessary to ensure the success of low cost country sourcing.
Time
A business can only successfully utilize low-cost country goods if it can keep up with demand and ensure product quality. This requires time and effort that could be better spent on other essential aspects of the business.
LCCS is increasingly becoming a popular strategy among businesses looking to reduce costs and remain competitive. Despite this, it must be understood that implementing a successful LCCS strategy is more challenging than it sounds.
It is also essential to always have a Plan B in case the low-cost country you are sourcing from ceases to be so affordable or if their production needs to be improved by political misunderstandings. This will help you avoid shortages, delays, and other supply chain issues that negatively impact your business.
Payment
With rising global politics and economic hegemony, businesses must look to low-cost countries for products and raw materials. However, this is only effective if the right plan is in place.
Negotiating long-term contracts with suppliers helps to minimize shortages and other supply issues. This allows your business to stay in control of its supply chain and reduce the risk of losing profits due to delays or product shortages.
Another advantage of sourcing from low-cost countries is that it gives your company more time to focus on other areas of its business. By utilizing a reputable sourcing agency, your business can rest assured that all of the product sourcing is taken care of, so you can focus on improving and growing.
