Competitive pressures, globalization, the desire to enter developing markets overseas, together with the growth of the internet have seen a surge in sourcing from Low Cost Countries (LCCs).

The questions below may help you think through the process of what sourcing from LCC will entail.

What do you want to achieve?
Reduced costs, but consistent high quality and prompt delivery.

How do you asses the opportunity?
Identify the products, standards and volumes of items involved and establishing target prices and expected savings.

How can you ensure that there is an appropriate fit between corporate strategy and a strategy for sourcing in LCCs?
In a consultative strategic process - plan, collect data, analyse, agree, and finally implement.

How do you locate appropriate suppliers?
Research potential vendors, create a shortlist - then visit. Nothing beats seeing for yourself.

How can I guarantee quality and efficiency?
Visit potential suppliers, build relationships, examine factory facilities and test custom made samples.

Do you have the resources and knowledge internally to implement a strategy?
If you do not have the resources internally to research, locate and evaluate sources objectively then use The Consultancy Companies team of expert outsourcing specialists familiar with countries targeted.

Find out more about the Consultancy Company here.

The Consultancy Company works with national and multinational companies to address a comprehensive range of supply chain issues. For more information contact peter.broxton@the-consultancy.co.uk ‘mobile 07768 021655, and visit out website - www.the-consultancy.co.uk