China Manufacturing Decoded

Sofeast
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join Renaud Anjoran, Founder & CEO of Sofeast, in this podcast aimed at importers who develop their own products as he discusses the hottest topics and shares actionable tips for manufacturing in China & Asia today! WHO IS RENAUD? Renaud is a French ISO 9001 & 14001 certified lead auditor, ASQ certified Quality Engineer and Quality Manager who has been working in the Chinese manufacturing industry since 2005. He is the founder of the Sofeast group that has over 200 staff globally and offers services (QA, product development & engineering, project management, Supply Chain Management, product compliance, reliability testing), contract manufacturing, and 3PL fulfillment for importers and businesses who develop their own products and buyers from China & SE Asia. WHY LISTEN? We‘ll discuss interesting topics for anyone who develops and sources their products from Asian suppliers and will share Renaud‘s decades of manufacturing experience, as well as inviting guests from the industry to get a different viewpoint. Our goal is to help you get better results and end up with suppliers and products that exceed your expectations!

  1. 5H AGO

    Are You Building What People Will Actually Buy? How to Validate Demand, Customers, and Features

    Most hardware teams don’t fail because of engineering; they fail because they misread the market. In episode 314 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian speaks with Renaud Anjoran about how product teams can answer three make-or-break questions before investing in prototypes, tooling, and mass production: Is there real demand? Why “friends and family” feedback is misleading, what strong validation actually looks like (interviews, deposits, LOIs, and real use tests), and how to run low-cost market experiments. Who is the target customer? How to move beyond “everyone” to a precise, reachable segment using hypothesis testing, interviews, and smart segmentation by industry, company size, and behavior. What features do customers truly want? A practical deep-dive into qualitative research, using a real-world example, showing how to identify must-have features, spot patterns across 20–30 interviews, and avoid costly over-engineering. Renaud explains why customer development must run in parallel with product development, how to de-risk market acceptance early, and why teams should avoid multiple prototype rounds without clear market proof. If you’re bringing a physical product to market, whether consumer or B2B, this episode is a practical playbook for reducing risk, saving money, and increasing your chances of success.   Episode Sections: 00:00 – Intro: The big question — are you building what people will actually buy? 01:04 – Is there real demand? (customer discovery first) 09:40 – Who is the target customer? (segmentation beats ‘everyone’) 15:35 – What features do customers actually want? (listen for patterns) 24:30 – Three lessons before you spend on tooling. 25:25 – Close & resources.   Related content… Agilian Technology — “The 3 Major Hardware Startup Killers: Part 1 – The Market.” Agilian Technology — “How to do Qualitative Market Research for a New Product.” Sofeast — “3 New Product Launch Tips for E-commerce Sellers.” QualityInspection.org — “9 Key Questions When Developing A New Product (Part 1).” QualityInspection.org — “The 8-Step Customer Journey Manufacturers Need To Consider.” The Mom Test: How to talk to customers & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you by Robert Fitzpatrick The Right It: Why So Many Ideas Fail and How to Make Sure Yours Succeed by Alberto Savoia The Four Steps to the Epiphany: Successful Strategies for Products that Win by Steve Blank   This episode is brought to you by The Sofeast Group and includes links in the show notes to our blog posts and resources, and recommended books. For help with manufacturing in Asia, inspections, auditing, new product development, contract manufacturing, 3PL warehousing and fulfillment, visit sofeast.com. Tune in to learn concrete steps to ensure you’re building something people will actually buy. Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

    26 min

  2. FEB 6

    China & India IN. The USA OUT? Tariffs, Alliances & Supply Chains.

    In episode 313 of China Manufacturing Decoded, hosts Adrian and Renaud look beyond headlines about U.S. tariffs to a bigger shift in global manufacturing politics: many traditional U.S. allies are deepening economic engagement with China while still hedging strategically with the U.S. Against that backdrop, a new U.S.–India tariff deal (18% for most goods, with key exemptions) makes India increasingly attractive as a “China +1” location, especially for consumer electronics, but China remains irreplaceable for early-stage development and deep supply chains. You should listen because rapid shifts in tariffs, geopolitics, and supply chains are reshaping where products can be made profitably.   Episode Sections: 01:07 – The big question: are U.S. allies turning toward China, or simply hedging?  07:29 – Evidence that many countries are deepening economic ties with China — and why China’s export machine keeps getting stronger. 15:21 – Economics vs. defense: why Europe can engage China commercially while still relying heavily on the U.S. and NATO for security.  19:07 – Why India is the most interesting case after its border clash with China and its earlier “de-risking” push.  24:27 – How the U.S.–India negotiation unfolded and what led to the flat 18% tariff deal.  26:10 – What the deal means for electronics and why India becomes a serious “China + 1” assembly option.  30:08 – India’s new trade win with the EU — zero tariffs for many goods, and why opening will stay gradual.  32:04 – Signs of an India–China thaw: faster customs, pressure to buy Chinese machinery, and the looming EV debate.  34:42 – Practical takeaway for manufacturers: keep China for depth, add India for resilience (and Sofeast’s India capability)   Related content… WSJ - U.S. Will Cut Tariffs on India to 18% in Trade Deal Reuters — South Korea, China, Japan trade dialogue Reuters — Germany still closer to U.S. than China Financial Times — EU hedging concerns WSJ — U.S. India tariff deal & smartphone export surge The Sofeast Group's Indian Facility - Serenial Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

    38 min

  3. JAN 30

    Prototype ≠ Production: The Million-Dollar DFM Mistake

    A working prototype does not mean your product is ready for mass production. In this episode, our host Adrian and Paul Adams, Sofeast's head of NPD, explore a real-world case where ignored DFM feedback led to predictable, preventable, and extremely costly manufacturing issues. From tooling limitations to material behavior and assembly inconsistency, this conversation explains why DFM exists, and why skipping it can cost hundreds of thousands (or even millions) later.   Episode Sections: 01:17 – Why DFM feedback gets ignored (and why it’s dangerous) 01:58 – Real case: prototype worked, DFM warnings dismissed 03:19 – What prototypes are actually meant to validate 04:56 – Why prototype tolerances don’t match production reality 05:00 – Material differences: same polymer, different behavior 06:08 – Tooling realities: demolding, deformation, surface damage 07:02 – How cosmetic defects become functional failures 07:32 – Assembly inconsistency, labor costs, scrap, and rework 08:21 – Transport and environmental failures after launch 09:07 – The true cost of returns, warranty, and brand damage 09:53 – The cost multiplier: pre-tooling vs post-tooling fixes 10:34 – How rushing actually delays your launch 11:50 – Investor pressure and the hidden risk it creates 13:36 – Best practices: how DFM should really be used 14:48 – Why early CM involvement matters 16:41 – The role of NPI checklists and structured processes 18:06 – Final warning: don’t ignore expert manufacturing feedback   Related content… Sofeast conducts your DFM review for Manufacturing in Asia The New Product Introduction Process Guide Handover to Manufacturing: What NOT to do & Best Practices Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

    20 min

  4. JAN 23

    CES 2026: China’s Robot Revolution: Humanoids, Edge AI and Rapid Prototyping

    On this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian is joined by Kate, who leads the supply chain management team at The Sophist Group, to unpack her top takeaways from CES 2026. Kate reports on the scale of the show, who was there, and what matters for product teams, developers and manufacturing leaders.   Episode Sections: 01:00 – CES 2026 overview: scale, attendance & significance Kate gives headline numbers: attendance, international visitors, exhibitors, and why this was the biggest post-pandemic CES. 02:19 – Why CES still matters: networking & deal-making CES is positioned as a major networking event for hardware companies, startups, and partners. 02:57 – Surge of Chinese exhibitors at CES Kate explains the sharp increase in Chinese suppliers and how Eureka Park has changed. 03:55 – Eureka Park explained & why it matters What Eureka Park is, why it’s important, and how it differs from the main convention halls. 04:36 – Humanoid robots emerge as the biggest trend Robotics numbers, China’s dominance, and the rise of affordable humanoid robots. 05:09 – Real-world humanoid robot capabilities Examples of shipping models, pricing, applications, and programmability. 06:36 – From viral clips to serious industrial AI Discussion of public misconceptions vs what was actually demonstrated at CES. 07:31 – Physical AI & China’s hardware advantag Why China excels at turning AI concepts into physical products quickly and cheaply. 08:16 – Regulation risks & trade considerations Concerns about regulation, drones, and geopolitical limits when using Chinese AI hardware.  09:01 – Western tech giants respond (chips, OS, industrial AI) NVIDIA, Siemens, Qualcomm, and others building humanoid and robotics ecosystems.  10:06 – Edge AI & on-device intelligence Shift toward low-power, on-device AI for privacy, speed, and autonomy.  11:08 – Other global players at CES France, Korea, Hong Kong, and their strengths across AI, mobility, health tech, and industry.  13:04 – Fun tech, tracking & wearables everywhere Smart collars, VR Lego, transparent displays, health tracking, and elder-care tech.  14:49 – AI in smart manufacturing & formulation AI-assisted production, cosmetics, materials mixing, and industrial applications.  15:51 – Manufacturing strategy discussions at CES Conversations with exhibitors about shifting production out of China — and back again.  16:28 – Why companies return to China for early runs Speed, ecosystem depth, prototyping, and complex AI electronics remain China’s edge.  17:11 – Hybrid manufacturing strategies Starting in China, then diversifying later once scale and risk justify it.  18:09 – Tariffs, uncertainty & predictability Why geopolitical volatility elsewhere makes China comparatively predictable for many US firms.  19:38 – Final takeaways: manufacturing is mathematics No single recipe — strategy depends on product, scale, cost, and risk.  20:03 – Wrap-up & Sofeast support Adrian summarizes, invites listeners to get in touch, and closes the episode.    Related content… Best of CES 2026 - The Verge 7 Crazy Robots at CES 2026 Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

    22 min

  5. JAN 16

    New Product Development Explained: The Hidden Risks Between Idea and Production

    Episode 310 (January 2026) of China Manufacturing Decoded. Host Adrian is joined by Paul Adams, head of New Product Development at Agilian Technology, part of our group, for a practical walkthrough of how a strong NPD partner guides products from idea to mass production. The episode highlights key benefits of working with a strong NPD team and NPI process: faster time to market, built-in quality and reliability, better scope and cost control, and robust protection of intellectual property. Paul also discusses practical red flags to watch for when selecting a contract manufacturer and why the cheapest quote can become the most expensive option. To learn more or discuss a product, listeners are invited to contact Agilian and reach out to Paul and the NPD team for advice, prototyping support, and new product development services.   Episode Sections: 00:00 – Introduction & episode context Why NPD partnerships matter when going from idea to mass production 01:55 – Overview of the NPI / NPD journey Why new product development is a process, not a single milestone 02:36 – The six NPI phases explained Feasibility → Prototype → Tooling → Validation → Pre-production → Mass production 05:00 – Why pre-production runs are critical Real example: catching a potential 30% failure rate before mass production 07:30 – What an NPD team actually does Acting as both the customer’s voice and the company’s representative 11:10 – Managing scope, budget, and expectations Why scope creep quietly kills timelines, cost, and quality 14:10 – Transparency as a core NPD responsibility Why “telling customers what they want to hear” creates long-term risk 16:35 – Embedding risk mitigation into every phase Living risk registers, phase gates, and cross-functional reviews 21:00 – Risk goes beyond engineering Budget limits, internal constraints, and customer readiness 24:00 – Benefits of a strong NPD partner Faster time-to-market, built-in quality, and reliability by design 27:05 – Intellectual property protection and trust Why IP protection is foundational to long-term partnerships 30:10 – Order-takers vs true manufacturing partners What importers should look for when choosing a contract manufacturer 31:25 – Closing remarks & where to learn more   Related content… The New Product Introduction Process Guide Agilian - How we work (6 NPI Phases) Get assistance from Sofeast with your NPI 4 types of pre-production prototype to make before production 11 questions to ask before working with a contract manufacturer Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

    33 min

  6. JAN 9

    Square Pegs, Round Holes: Picking the Right Manufacturer for Your Product

    If your manufacturing project keeps stalling, blowing budgets, or needing “rescues,” there’s a good chance you picked the wrong factory. In this episode, Adrian and Renaud break down why manufacturer–product mismatch is one of the most common and expensive mistakes importers still make in 2026, especially when adding electronics, higher quality expectations, or regulatory complexity. The key takeaway: factories are focused systems. If their experience, processes, and priorities don’t align with your product’s real requirements, no amount of optimism or “we’ll figure it out” will save the project.   Episode Sections: 00:00 Intro + why factory experience still matters in 2026 01:04 Basic due diligence vs real factory suitability 02:01 The core mistake: buyers don’t understand what their project actually requires 03:19 Real case: asking a mechanical supplier to assemble an electronic product 05:22 What electronic products really require beyond “assembly” 07:12 Electronics discipline: IPC standards, ESD handling & skilled labor 09:27 Quality control blind spots when factories lack electronics experience 10:00 Salvage projects: when customers come after choosing the wrong supplier 10:20 Skipping DFM and going straight to tooling, a costly red flag 11:36 Why Apple’s model works (and why most companies can’t replicate it) 12:30 Factory focus: cost-driven vs quality-driven manufacturers 14:40 Regulated products (medical, automotive, aerospace): experience is mandatory 15:36 Why suppliers rarely admit they’re the wrong fit 17:17 “Fake it till you make it” in manufacturing 20:49 Lessons from Poorly Made in China: staged factories & appearances 22:35 The buyer’s responsibility: suppliers won’t self-disqualify 25:23 Audits + analysis: the cheapest insurance against the wrong factory 26:40 Wrap-up: how to avoid picking the wrong horse in 2026   Related content… How To Choose Which Factory Audit You Need? Quality System Audits vs. Process-Specific Audits DFM for PCBA – 40+ Improvements 11 Ways A Manufacturer Can Help Improve Your Product Design (includes DFM) Electrostatic Discharge: 10 FAQs (ESD risks + controls) Switch Away from a Manufacturer at the First Signs of Trouble 7 Reasons Why Ignoring Factory Audits Will Hurt Your Business Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

    28 min

  7. JAN 2

    The Iron Triangle of NPI: What to Sacrifice: Time, Cost or Quality?

    If your product launches late, over budget, or with quality issues; you’ve met the Iron Triangle. In this episode, Adrian and Paul break down the three corners (cost, time, quality), the real-world trade-offs founders and product teams face, and the “hidden” fourth factor that turns the triangle into a pyramid. The key takeaway: choose your anchor early and don’t quietly change it mid-project, at least, not without considering the implications.   Episode Sections: 00:00 Intro + what the “Iron Triangle” is 02:37 Corner #1: Cost (dev, prototypes, tooling, fixtures, compliance) 06:13 Corner #2: Time (deadlines, trade shows, competitor launches, investor milestones)  09:43 Corner #3: Quality (specs, requirements, yield, “what quality means”) 13:25 Scenario 1: Speed is king (90-day push → cost up or quality down/MVP)  16:54 Scenario 2: Quality is king (bigger/longer field trial → time + cost increase)  19:34 Scenario 3: Budget is fixed (scope creep, hidden costs, marketing budget)  26:21 Beyond the triangle: Risk (the “pyramid” and what each tradeoff risks)  33:10 Pro tip #1: Don’t change your anchor (make it visual)  36:27 Pro tip #2: Change is a killer  37:12 Pro tip #3: Phase-gate reviews (explicitly re-check the anchor)  40:13 Wrap + CTA    Related content... Can You Afford to Manufacture Your Idea? Budget Truths from Idea to Mass Production Why does new product development take so long? NPD Project Constraints (3 common examples) How To Reduce Risks When Developing New Products? [Video] Product Development Lifecycle: Why and How to Reduce its Time? Cost Vs Quality – How to improve yours. Dangers of Amortizing Development Costs in the Production Price Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

    41 min

  8. 12/19/2025

    2026 Manufacturing Trends: Tariffs, China+1, Repairability, AI & ‘Smart’ Factories

    In this pre-Christmas episode 307, Adrian and Renaud look ahead to five manufacturing trends that could shape 2026 for importers working with China and Asia.  Thanks for listening during 2025. We appreciate all of our listeners and followers, and, if you like what we do, please consider giving us a 5-star rating on your podcast player! See you in 2026! Topics covered are: Tariff volatility in the Trump era What comes after “China+1” The growing focus on repairability, modularity and sustainable design The AI/data center boom Where is all the ‘smart manufacturing’ we keep seeing in the press?   Episode Sections: 00:00 – Introduction 03:16 – Trend #1: Tariff volatility in the Trump era 12:14 – Trend #2: Where is ‘China+1’ really going? 19:36 – Trend #3: Sustainability, repairability & modular design 24:10 – Trend #4: AI/data centers and component price shocks 27:49 – Trend #5: Smart manufacturing: hype vs. factory floor reality 31:40 – Wrap-up, Merry Christmas & call for questions   Related content... Breaking Down the US-China Trade Tariffs: What’s in Effect Now? US to allow Nvidia H200 chip shipments to China, Trump says Global trade to hit record $35 trillion despite slowing momentum The AI frenzy is driving a memory chip supply crisis RAM is ruining everything 2026 Manufacturing Industry Outlook Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

    33 min
See All (100)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Join Renaud Anjoran, Founder & CEO of Sofeast, in this podcast aimed at importers who develop their own products as he discusses the hottest topics and shares actionable tips for manufacturing in China & Asia today! WHO IS RENAUD? Renaud is a French ISO 9001 & 14001 certified lead auditor, ASQ certified Quality Engineer and Quality Manager who has been working in the Chinese manufacturing industry since 2005. He is the founder of the Sofeast group that has over 200 staff globally and offers services (QA, product development & engineering, project management, Supply Chain Management, product compliance, reliability testing), contract manufacturing, and 3PL fulfillment for importers and businesses who develop their own products and buyers from China & SE Asia. WHY LISTEN? We‘ll discuss interesting topics for anyone who develops and sources their products from Asian suppliers and will share Renaud‘s decades of manufacturing experience, as well as inviting guests from the industry to get a different viewpoint. Our goal is to help you get better results and end up with suppliers and products that exceed your expectations!

Information

  • Creator
    Sofeast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    China Manufacturing Decoded

You Might Also Like