The importance of being on the ground
Similarly, transparency and an understanding of a product’s origin is important to today’s consumer. They want to know that the products are being made in an ethical way and any aspects around sustainability that are part of a product’s DNA. We look to promote this as we see the human side to manufacturing and it is important that the consumer understands what is involved in making their product. There are also regulatory and political challenges that arise from time to time, whether in the form of tariffs, or domestic regulations (such as the recent environmental protection initiative carried out in China).
These can impact getting a product to market on time and at the price required, which likely has a detrimental impact on margins and profitability. It means having the ability to be agile and being able to react to market conditions. It means having a deep understanding of the different markets in Asia and how to develop beneficial partnerships with your suppliers. Ultimately, it means being on the ground.
The Future
As technology continues to accelerate the evolution of retail, we are constantly looking for opportunities to align with the changes required at a manufacturing level. We are more than a product sourcing agent, and are developing a capability to work across the product life cycle. This will enable us to better serve our clients.
We have therefore established our ET2C Eco-System to enhance our current solutions with additional innovative services through collaboration with companies that are focused on specific elements of the Supply chain and product development.
These include, but are not limited to
- Sustainability & Environmental Footprint
- Product Design
- Radical Supply Chain Transparency and Associated Platforms
- Financing
- 3D Printing
- Distribution and New Market Penetration
- Digitisation
- Data Analytics and Predictive Forecasting
Our Ecosystem