A few recent sourcing projects, anonymised to protect our clients. What they needed, how we approached it and where it stands.
Phone accessories retailer · France
Cases, chargers and cables for a phone shop
Brief
A phone shop wanted to stop buying from French wholesalers and import directly: iPhone cases, USB-C chargers and cables, sold under a neutral brand, with a small first order.
What we did
Compared direct import with the shop's current wholesale prices, including freight, duties and VAT.
Screened manufacturers in Shenzhen and selected a short list, then checked samples.
Defined a tight range for the latest iPhone generations: clear shockproof case, liquid silicone case, matte magnetic case and a braided nylon USB-C cable.
Result
Four references validated, a main supplier selected and a costed offer ready for the first order.
Cleaning equipment distributor · Europe
Carbon water-fed poles, cheaper than the premium brand
Brief
A distributor of window and facade cleaning equipment wanted carbon telescopic water-fed poles comparable to a well-known premium brand, at a lower cost.
What we did
Identified the two relevant clusters: carbon composite makers in Weihai (Shandong) and cleaning-tool factories around Ningbo (Zhejiang).
Searched directly on 1688 in Chinese, not only on export platforms, to reach the actual factories.
Built a shortlist of manufacturers and separated real factories from traders.
Result
Shortlist of manufacturers across two clusters, ready for samples and price comparison.
Furniture resellers · France
Compact-packed sofas for a new retail range
Brief
A group of resellers wanted to launch a range of design sofas that ship compressed in a carton and unfold at the customer's home.
What we did
Targeted factories in the main furniture clusters: Foshan (Shunde), Dongguan and Guangzhou.
Rated suppliers on price and MOQ, but also on the unboxing experience: unfolding by one person, foam odour, shape recovery.
Reviewed design-rights risk and removed a model that was too close to an existing designer piece.
Produced a French and English catalogue with one spec sheet per model for the resellers.
Result
Range defined, catalogue delivered, samples then a pilot order of around 20 units planned.
Consumer start-up · France
Premium filter bottle, from concept to factories
Brief
A start-up developing a premium stainless steel filter bottle needed a manufacturing base: bottle, filter cartridges and packaging.
What we did
Mapped the stainless steel vacuum bottle cluster in Yongkang and Wuyi (Zhejiang).
Shortlisted factories for the bottle and suppliers for the activated carbon cartridges.
Covered compliance for food contact, customs classification and a factory visit itinerary.
Result
Verified factory shortlist and sourcing plan, used by the founders to plan samples and costs.
Client names and suppliers are kept confidential. Details can be shared on request under NDA.