The global sourcing and procurement landscape in 2025 has been shaped by a series of complex challenges. A polycrisis, driven by the policies of the new U.S. administration and broader governmental responses, has created an environment of protectionism, tariffs, and geopolitical tensions. As global sourcing teams navigate the pressures of sustaining margins, securing supply chains, and meeting ESG commitments, the need for on-the-ground teams in key sourcing markets is becoming increasingly critical.
Strengthening global sourcing stability requires building deeper, more effective partnerships with suppliers—aligning ambitions for growth, efficiency, and long-term success.
As companies search for stability in offshore supply routes in a constantly changing trading dynamic building better connectivity and team working can provide stability and clarity in a polycrisis global trading and business environment.
Establishing a dedicated buying team in Asia sourcing markets can deliver rapid and significant benefits:
- Rapid margin growth
- Faster product sped to market
- Enhanced quality and compliance
- Improving supplier partnerships
- Managing risk
- Building competitive advantage
ET2C Global Sourcing Experts
ET2C International are a British owned global sourcing company with over 23 years experience working with clients to make their sourcing simple. Our 200 colleagues are based in 7 offices in developed and emerging sourcing markets to ensure you have easy access and deep insight to all off shore sourcing countries. We work with our international clients on creation and delivery of sourcing strategy, identification and validation of supply partners, risk measurement and management and delivering dedicated buying office teams through our unique risk free buying office model. To learn more drop us a line contact@et2cint.com
Global Sourcing Defending Your Margin and Competitive Advantage
Margin and Competitive Advantage Defence will become crucial for companies to retain and build margin delivery. As Global Sourcing teams seek to mitigate potential increases in tariffs, an effective Global Sourcing Strategy will become critical to ensure companies are well placed to manage their way through the likely turmoil of the next few years. As the ripples of increased tariff’s effect all Sourcing and Demand markets the most effective sourcing and procurement solutions could be a blend of responses.
- Near Shoring and Friendly Shoring
- New Sourcing Market development
- Dedicated buying Team establishment in Sourcing Markets
For many companies a blended approach to risk can provide the most robust solution to future planning. The three approaches to risk mitigation all have the potential to yield positive results there are significant cost (investment) and timing (delivery) challenges to be overcome.
The choice to move supply lines to a new sourcing market can be long, risky and expensive in both investment and on-going product costs. The rationale to deliver a major project must be both long-term and extremely robust in pay back.
Setting up Buying Office teams in Asian market can by contrast provide rapid deliverable benefits that can be used to offset potential tariff increases, defend margins and ultimately support competitive advantage.
Asia dedicated buying office team benefits
The benefits of establishing a buying office team have been well established. Having a team on the ground in your chosen market delivers
- Enhanced supplier relationships
- Faster to market innovation
- Better product pricing
- Enhanced Quality and Compliance
This will rapidly build margin, defend competitive advantage and manage risk. The added complexity expected for the year ahead as we enter a period of Protectionism, Tariffs and Geo-Political trade tensions can be navigated more easily with a dedicated team on the ground.
Mitigation strategies for potential tariff increases can be best delivered through the closer growth partnerships of an established team on the ground.
The challenges for companies setting up a team in new markets are many and varied.
- Recruitment and Team Management
- HR and Legal Compliance
- Premises Management
- Time Zone, Language and Culture
The Most Effective Way to Set up a Dedicated Buying Office Team in Asia
The quickest and most effective way to establish a buying team is to use a fixed fee model.
For businesses aiming to set up buying offices to streamline their sourcing operations, a Fixed Fee Buying Office Model offers a smart, low-risk alternative to traditional methods.
This model rapidly delivers you a dedicated team on the ground who can deliver immediate margin and product improvements. Removing the risk, cost and time of setting up an in-house team in new country.
ET2C International Unique Buying Office Model
ET2C are a UK based Global Sourcing company with over 23 years trading experience. Our 200 colleagues are based in 7 offices across Asia. China, India, Vietnam and Turkiye. Ensuring you always have a presence on the ground to support your Strategic Sourcing and Procurement requirements.
We have pioneered the development and running of buying office models for clients in USA and Europe for over 20 years. Delivering all the benefits of a dedicated Purchasing team whilst mitigating all the risk of establishing and managing a team and facilities in a new country.
Drop us a line if you would like to learn more about how we can help you establish a team contact@et2cint.com
