Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start working with SRI?How does SRI source/manage my project in Asia?
How can I get my products manufactured in Asia?
How do I protect my intellectual property?
What are the advantages of sourcing/producing in Asia?
Why should I work with SRI?
What about shipping and delivery times/costs from Asia to the U.S.?
How do I deal with the time differences between Asia and the U.S.?
Can SRI help me deal with customs and tariffs into the U.S.?
Can I visit the factories that SRI uses to make my products?
Does SRI have sources for other products?
Can SRI really find what I need?
Can I afford a "middle-man" like SRI?
I can find and talk with factories in Asia myself, why do I need SRI?
How do I start working with SRI?
It's easy! All it takes to get started is some project details from you and a conversation with one of our U.S. representatives and you will be on your way to Asia! Call us, email us or fill out our online project questionnaire and we will get in touch with you.
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How does SRI source/manage my project in Asia?
SRI's partners have spent the past 15 years developing an extensive network across Asia. We use both existing factory connections and our presence on the ground in Asia to find new factories for our clients. We visit trade shows, scour industry publications, maintain connections with factories in multiple industries and are constantly on the lookout for new opportunities. SRI's capable sourcing staff will tap existing resources and the "grapevine" to find the factory that is most appropriate for your specific manufacturing needs. We then work with the factory from design to final QC — all on your behalf.
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How can I get my products manufactured in Asia?
You basically have three options: (1.) You can find you own factory in Asia via the Internet and manage your production via email from the U.S., (2.) You can fly over and start a project and then leave before it's finished and hope that it shows up correct and on time, or (3.) You can devote your time to what you do best — designing and marketing products — and partner with SRI, allowing us to use our knowledge, skills and connections in Asia to your benefit! SRI is a professional project management and sourcing company. We will take your designs and samples directly to the factories and oversee the manufacturing process for you. We will be your eyes and ears in Asia — your QC manager on site all the time. By working through SRI you effectively open up a fully staffed branch office in Asia, complete with an extensive network of factories in multiple Asian countries!
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How can I protect my intellectual property?
While Asia's reputation as the world's biggest knock-off shop is well deserved, legal and cultural steps can be taken to increase your safety. SRI signs non-competition and non-disclosure agreements with all of our factories. We work with lawyers in China and Thailand to make certain that we know our rights and have taken legal precautions to ensure protection of intellectual property. SRI takes physical steps too — such as removing product molds from factories, providing information incrementally, and being present in the factory during production. But most importantly, SRI makes sure that our long-term relationships with the factories are more valuable than stealing your products. In Asia, relationships are the ultimate security. We are here for you.
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What are the advantages of sourcing/producing in Asia?
The most impressive difference is the price. Clients typically save 40% or more over production costs in the U.S. — sometimes more than twice that! World-class quality is another impressive feature of Asian production. Top-level education combined with new technology and a growing infrastructure means that most quality standards can be matched or exceeded! Another reason is variety. China has been called the "workshop for the world" and rightfully so. Almost everything you can imagine can be produced in China and then shipped to anywhere in the world. You name it, we can find it — cheap and ready for export to the world's markets.
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Why should I work with SRI?
Better pricing, personalized customer service, years of experience, a complete range of sourcing and ODM services, multiple language capabilities (7 at last count), cultural proficiency, honesty, integrity, professional associations, an Asia-wide network of factories and resources, a commitment to quality, and a proven track record. Well, you asked!
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What about shipping and delivery times/costs from Asia to the U.S.?
Costs and times vary depending on shipping method (courier service, air or surface freight). Courier services like DHL, UPS or FedEx are the fastest, but most expensive. These services are great for small shipments (up to 250 lbs) or samples that need to get to the U.S. quickly. Prices depend on the weight and dimensions of goods shipped and transit times typically range from 3 to 5 days. Air freight typically takes 8 days door to door and will cost about 25% of your total order price. Sea or surface freight takes about 4-5 weeks door to door and will typically cost 12% of your total order price. Prices are seasonal and change often.
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How do I deal with the time differences between Asia and the U.S.?
Working with SRI means that you don't have to! We have an office in Salt Lake City open 9 to 6 MST, Monday through Friday. And while Salt Lake City may be foreign to some, it's still probably easier to work out that time difference than GMT +08:00. We really strive to make your dealings with Asia as comfortable and convenient to your regular schedule as possible. If it is necessary to conference with one of our Asian offices we will schedule times that work for you — we're used to being up late!
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Can SRI help me deal with customs and tariffs into the U.S.?
We offer both FOB Asia (port depends on product origins) and door-to-door shipping services. SRI works directly with shipping companies and customs offices on both sides of the Pacific so we can assist you in classifying your goods, ensuring the lowest possible duties and fees. We ship by sea and/or air on a weekly basis. This means you get the volume prices you want and attention that you need to navigate red tape on both sides of the Pacific.
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Can I visit the factories that SRI uses to make my products?
Certainly! We love to have clients visit directly with the factories. We find that a client's visit is enlightening on many levels. It helps you understand the factory's capabilities and the manufacturing process. It helps the factory put a face with the name. It puts all of us on the same visual page, which gives us a common point of reference, easing communication. And to be honest, we love to show off — show off Asia that is. The Great Wall, Beijing duck, Thailand's beautiful beaches and incredible food, the biggest golf country club in the world, Tiananmen Square, Bangkok, Shanghai, Hong Kong! The list of "business trip" extras is endless. Come on over! We'd love to show you around.
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Does SRI have sources for other products?
Because we regularly work with so many different factories we have the connections already in place to give you complementary items and other currently available products. We have an extensive library of factory catalogues and the relationships necessary to help you find what you are looking for.
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Can SRI really find what I need?
We source an average of 20 new products a month. We are constantly attending tradeshows all over Asia (you should see our collection of lanyard!) We are members of trade organizations and professional associations whose members reach across the globe. We pride ourselves on our abilities to find what no one else can — to complete projects that others have failed.
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Can I afford a "middle-man" like SRI?
The question is really how can you not? We typically save clients more than 40% off of production prices in the U.S. And, because of our relationships with factories, we can often beat the prices our clients find themselves in Asia! Just ask yourself if you can afford to save 40% or more compared with your current pricing. SRI makes money by saving you money; it's in our best interest to save you as much as possible — can your current supplier say that? Furthermore, many products simply cannot be produced cost-effectively in the U.S. Like it or not, many industries in the U.S. could not exist without Asia.
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I can find and talk with factories in Asia myself, why do I need SRI?
Sure you can do it yourself! Go ahead! Some of our best clients once tried that too. In the end, they brought us half-baked samples, outrageous prices, or production that didn't match the samples. Here are three reasons why they say working with SRI is better.
1) Price. We have sourced hundreds of different projects and are manufacturing and reordering products with factories everyday. We also maintain relationships with factories that we have used before so that we can work with them again. Translation: we can get better pricing than you can! True story: We have had clients source projects themselves and we beat their prices by more than half — at the same factory! Bottom line? SRI's long-term relationships and production quantities, which are larger than your individual project, means better pricing for you.
2) Time. You have a full-time job already. You don't have time to add another one! We have a full-time job too-sourcing and managing production in Asia. Just like you, we specialize in what we do best. You get positive ROI by doing your job, not ours. And, with our pricing it's not worth your time anyway! Becaues of our years of experience in Asia, we understand the needs of factories, their limitations and capabilities. Let us work for you so you can focus on what you do best!
3) Problems. Don't kid yourself, there will be problems. Whether you manufacture in the U.S., Asia, or Timbuktu, there will be challenges. And trying to solve problems over the Internet with Asia (when you can't see what you are talking about) while dealing with English as a second language is not only strenuous for you, but highly unsuccessful. We live here. We speak the languages. We have working professional relationships with the factories and understand the work culture in Asia. We are on the ground and in the trenches. We can solve your problems now, in real time. You don't have to wonder if your email went through or get up at 2am for a call that is more frustrating than helpful. You don't have to fly to China on a rescue mission. The ability to solve one design problem before a sample is made or production is started can save weeks and thousands of dollars. This is what SRI can do for you!
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