China Manufacturing Decoded

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 observatio...

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 ...

Adrian and Renaud explore a significant shift in global electronics production: India surpassing China as the top smartphone exporter to the USA. The discussion covers why this change happened so fast, how Apple and other big tech firms adapted, what this means for SMEs, and how Sofeast is now expanding its own manufacturing footprint in India.

• 00:00 – India overtakes China in US smartphone shipments
• 02:20 – Ho...

In this diverse episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, hosts Adrian and Renaud cover several thought-provoking topics based on listeners' questions. They will discuss:

• How to transform an initial idea into a market-ready product.
• Cultural differences in business practices between Chinese and Western companies.
• Shortening manufacturing timelines, such as how to effectively reduce lead times.
• The differences between small and l...

Adrian and Renaud examine how small e-commerce sellers surged in popularity between 2015 and 2021 and why many are now struggling. They discuss the boom in dropshipping, the impact of rising advertising costs, the dominance of big brands, and how platforms like Amazon, Meta, and Google have changed the game. This episode explores why success has become increasingly challenging to attain for small to medium-sized e-commerce sellers ...

Welcome to episode 282 of the China Manufacturing Decoded podcast from Sofeast where we take a deep dive into the logistics and product preparation differences across three major e-commerce and sales channels.

Adrian and Kate from Sofeast break down how to optimize supply chains depending on whether you're shipping to retailers, selling through Amazon FBA, or running a direct-to-consumer (D2C) operation.

• 00:00 ...

A major shift just occurred in global trade. On July 2nd, the United States and Vietnam announced a new trade agreement that sets a 20% tariff on Vietnamese exports and 40% on goods deemed to be transshipped (often Chinese-origin products rerouted via Vietnam).

In this episode, Adrian and Renaud break down what this means for importers using Vietnam as a China alternative, explore the politics behind the deal, and raise key concern...

Adrian and Renaud chat about a timely topic, the complex and critical issue of rare earth minerals, focusing particularly on how the US/China trade war has recently influenced their availability. As China controls over 90% of the refined production of rare earth elements, recent developments in trade policies have significant implications for global supply chains, especially in the electronics and electromechanical sectors.

We brea...

In today’s episode, Adrian is joined by Andrew Amirnovin, our reliability expert, and we’re using Tesla’s Cybertruck problems as a case study in what happens when a product skips, or underinvests in, reliability testing. From panels that fall off to cracked windshields and sticky accelerator pedals, it’s clear the fundamentals weren’t locked down before launch.

We’ll unpack the engineering missteps that led to mass recalls, the fal...

"Packaging is more than just a box," a phrase that becomes increasingly true the deeper you get into product development. In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian hosts Kate Oliynykova, Sofeast’s Head of Supply Chain Management, to dive into the often-overlooked yet critical world of packaging. From early-stage design to common pitfalls and emerging trends, this episode is your essential guide to treating packaging no...

In episode 277 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian and Renaud explore how to avoid leaking your intellectual property (IP) when sourcing components during the product development process. While working with suppliers, especially overseas, is often necessary, it can also pose significant IP risks. This discussion breaks down the real-world scenarios, risks, and mitigation strategies to help manufacturers protect their innovations...

Join Renaud on a journey into the fascinating world of electronics manufacturing and how Apple's strategic moves in China transformed it. Our episode is inspired by the book "Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company," a book by journalist Patrick McGee, who offers a well-researched exploration of how Apple inadvertently established an advanced electronics industry in China.

You will discover how Apple's relentles...

If you're manufacturing products for the EU and wondering how to break into the UK post-Brexit, this episode is for you. Renaud Anjoran sits down with compliance expert Fredrik Grönkvist from ComplianceGate to demystify the increasingly divergent regulatory frameworks between the UK and the EU.

• 01:01 – Guest Introduction – Fredrik from ComplianceGate

• 02:06 – History of UK and EU Regulatory Alignment

• 03:06 ...

In this special bonus episode of 'China Manufacturing Decoded,' Adrian and Renaud look into the often misunderstood role of trading companies in the Chinese manufacturing landscape. 

Ultimately, this episode aims to equip listeners with the knowledge to make informed decisions about engaging trading companies, weighing their potential benefits against the challenges of less transparency and higher costs. 

• 00:00...

Welcome to episode 273 of the China Manufacturing Decoded podcast. Imagine validating your injection-molded parts using production-grade materials, without waiting weeks or spending tens of thousands. Adrian and Paul unpack the game-changing hybrid tooling process that combines 3D-printed soluble resin inserts with steel molds to accelerate development and reduce risk.

• 00:00 – Welcome & Context
• 01:00 – Hybr...

Recorded on the evening of May 12th, China time, as the news broke, Renaud breaks down the implications of the tariff adjustments announced by the U.S. administration. With tariffs previously skyrocketing to up to around 150%, recent talks in Switzerland between the USA and China have resulted in a significant reduction, providing a temporary window of relief for businesses relying on Chinese imports.

The episode provides a detaile...

Our guest for this episode is Owen Haacke, co-founder of Supply Chain Shark and a licensed customs broker. Owen is renowned for guiding businesses through the complex landscape of US Customs and tariffs.

In this episode, we reconnect with Owen to discuss the evolving nature of import tariffs and the impact of recent regulatory changes on global trade. Owen provides expert insights into the complexities of tariff classifications, em...

Are you gearing up to manufacture a new electronic / hard good product? In this episode, Renaud and Adrian break down exactly what you need to prepare before starting with a manufacturer. These insights could save you time, money, and major headaches.

• 00:00: Welcome and Introduction

• 01:13: Sourcing Existing Products: Know What You're Buying

• 03:26: Transferring Production: Matching Capabilities

• 06:12: Dev...

With tariffs rising and China becoming a trickier manufacturing partner, many American importers are looking to India. In this episode, we explore the manufacturing landscape in South India, especially when it comes to sourcing PCB assemblies. You’ll gain first-hand insights from a recent trip and learn what makes India both promising and challenging. 

In addition, we discuss U.S.-India Trade Relations in the context of the hot tar...