Importing building materials from China is nothing new. However, those who are resourceful or brave enough to deal directly with China, can quickly come unstuck if they’re not dealing with the right people, which can easily happen. International Building Supplies surveyed a cross section of companies from the New Zealand building sector to understand what their experiences were when dealing directly with manufacturers in China or importers of Chinese products. Common responses were:
• The product quality was good, but the issue was delivery of the correct products.
• The first 1 or 2 orders were great, but the quality drops over time.
• We had no one on the ground in China to check orders before they were dispatched to New Zealand.
• Unknown supply origin due to only knowing the New Zealand importer.
• Importers change suppliers without notice which means quality and/or products can vary or change completely.
• Inability of importers to scale up operations to meet demand when required.
• Price is important, but quality of the products is the key factor
In summary, while the allure of direct dealings with Chinese manufacturers exists, careful consideration and robust processes are necessary to mitigate risks and ensure consistent quality and delivery.
International Building Supplies exclusive partnership with AUPUP, the procurement arm of Vanke Group, China’s number one developer and Global Fortune 500 company, allows International Building Supplies direct access to an extensive network of over 8000 manufacturers of building materials.
This exclusive partnership enables International Building Supplies to extend unparalleled buying power, quality, and range to the New Zealand construction industry on a significant scale.
