Your eyes on Asia - Asia Inspection
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xx edition 2011
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business magazine for internatrional enterprises
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Your eyes on Asia
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Founded in Shenzhen in 2002, AsiaInspection has grown dramatically since it launched its online platform in 2003. AsiaInspection’s network of over 350 experienced inspectors now perform over 50,000 inspections and audits a year, throughout Asia. Sebastien Breteau, AsiaInspection founder, president and CEO, says that he originally founded AsiaInspection to make on-site quality control and inspection more efficient and affordable for small and medium-sized businesses. Now, however, the company works for an increasing number of high-profile companies including Carrefour, Somerfield and Philips.
provinces,
reflecting
a
shift
of
24
manufacturing operations in China to the west and north. From Q3 2010 to Q1 2011,
23
inspections in Anhui Province had increased +175%, and +118% in Hebei
22
Province. According to AsiaInspection, many factory workers, originally from
21
inland regions, are staying home after Chinese New Year to fill new jobs closer
20
With an Engineering and Business
effective quality control is more difficult
to home, preferring the lower inland
background (ENSAM & HEC), Sebastien
in some countries than in others.
province average wages of USD 114, but
Breteau started his entrepreneurial career
Breteau points out that for many
with a lower cost-of-living, to the higher
in 1996 in Hong Kong, building strong
companies, the decision to do business in
average coastal city wages of USD 205,
expertise in supply chain issues in Asia. “I
Asia is inspired by the desire, or even
but with rampant inflation. These new
dealt with a lot of quality control issues
need, to keep costs down. At the same
control inspectors across southern Asia,
jobs are a result of companies moving
sector of provinces from rural inland
inspection and the client can confirm the
and noticed that the established players
time these companies realise that quality
including China, India and South Korea.
inland to take advantage of these lower
China have not yet fully matured, nor
order. Breteau says their pricing is very
in the inspection and quality control
control in Asia may be more of a
To ensure quality, almost all the
labour costs. The trend to move inland is
maintained the same quality levels as
transparent: across Asia the cost is USD
space were very expensive,” he says.
challenge than it is at home. In their
inspectors are direct employees of the
also underscored by what companies in
developed coastal regions. “It’s vital that
288 per man-day anywhere in the region.
“There basically was no affordable quality
efforts to find a balance between price
company. Approximately 75% of the
China are doing. This year, iPhone
businesses outsourcing manufacturing to
As inspections and audits are ordered
control service available in Asia for
and quality, having reliable quality control
inspectors are full-time, while the
manufacturer Foxconn will complete
those regions ensure every product
online directly from customer accounts,
medium and small accounts. In turn the
inspections done becomes vital. “The key
remaining
specialized
construction of a new plant in inland
meets international quality and safety
they are easy to re-order, and it’s also
established players, who I like to refer to
to our success in China in particular is
expertise in a particular industry or
Henan province. Other Fortune 500’s
standards.”
easy to amend scheduling and modify
as the three old ladies, really can’t be
built on a strong team of loyal
working in remote regions and are called
moving inland include HP to Chongqing
Getting AsiaInspection to do your Asian
orders right up to the day prior to the
bothered with those medium and small
inspectors,” adds Breteau on that subject.
in on an as needed basis. “As we continue
and Intel to Chengdu, with more
inspections
very
inspection date. It is also possible to
accounts as they can’t make a profit out
“Staff loyalty can be a problem in China,
to grow, finding the right people to
companies expected to follow soon
straightforward,
the
consult and approve or reject the post-
of them. So I established AsiaInspection
where the booming economy encourages
expand our team will remain a
(according to the Financial Times).
AsiaInspection web portal. A new client
inspection reports, as well as to issue
with the aim of offering the exact same
people to quickly switch from one job to
challenge,” Breteau predicts.
Breteau says that China’s coastal cities
can set up an account, providing the
certificates to suppliers automatically.
services as those three old ladies, but
the next. That is why at AsiaInspection,
Interesting in that regard is that
have begun to improve themselves in
manufacturing and finished product
“It’s this quality of service, combined
making the process more efficient by
we spend a lot of money on training our
AsiaInspection service figures show
recent years as reliable suppliers that can
specs by uploading them through the
with our fixed rates, that’s helping us to
making use of online tools, and
team of inspectors.” AsiaInspection now
significant increases in inspections
produce
quality
site. The system will provide an instant
attract a more high-profile clientele,”
specifically targeting small and medium
has more than 350 experienced quality
performed in China’s rural inland
standards. Meanwhile the manufacturing
quotation in response to a request for an
Breteau points out. “We have established
25%
have
to
international
19
18
for
you
seems
through
accounts.”
a high degree of credibility now, and I
He points out that smaller businesses
expect that we will continue to grow and
generate a big chunk of the total volume
solidify our position among the top
of international trade with Asia.
inspection companies in Asia.”
“Companies worldwide, from very large to rather small, import products from
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
Asia or outsource manufacturing to Asia. And they all have quality control requirements.” Which seems obvious.
AsiaInspection
The thought of having a container load of
Suite No. 4, 8/F Sino Plaza,
non-conforming goods a half a world
255-257 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay
away from its plant of origin is enough to
Hong Kong, 999077
make many a small business reconsider
Hong Kong
whether the Asian market opportunity is
Website: www.asiainspection.com
worth the hassle. Especially given that
17
5
4
3
2
1
28
28
xx edition 2011
29
27
26
business magazine for internatrional enterprises
zillion
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
27
Your eyes on Asia
26
25
1
Founded in Shenzhen in 2002, AsiaInspection has grown dramatically since it launched its online platform in 2003. AsiaInspection’s network of over 350 experienced inspectors now perform over 50,000 inspections and audits a year, throughout Asia. Sebastien Breteau, AsiaInspection founder, president and CEO, says that he originally founded AsiaInspection to make on-site quality control and inspection more efficient and affordable for small and medium-sized businesses. Now, however, the company works for an increasing number of high-profile companies including Carrefour, Somerfield and Philips.
provinces,
reflecting
a
shift
of
24
manufacturing operations in China to the west and north. From Q3 2010 to Q1 2011,
23
inspections in Anhui Province had increased +175%, and +118% in Hebei
22
Province. According to AsiaInspection, many factory workers, originally from
21
inland regions, are staying home after Chinese New Year to fill new jobs closer
20
With an Engineering and Business
effective quality control is more difficult
to home, preferring the lower inland
background (ENSAM & HEC), Sebastien
in some countries than in others.
province average wages of USD 114, but
Breteau started his entrepreneurial career
Breteau points out that for many
with a lower cost-of-living, to the higher
in 1996 in Hong Kong, building strong
companies, the decision to do business in
average coastal city wages of USD 205,
expertise in supply chain issues in Asia. “I
Asia is inspired by the desire, or even
but with rampant inflation. These new
dealt with a lot of quality control issues
need, to keep costs down. At the same
control inspectors across southern Asia,
jobs are a result of companies moving
sector of provinces from rural inland
inspection and the client can confirm the
and noticed that the established players
time these companies realise that quality
including China, India and South Korea.
inland to take advantage of these lower
China have not yet fully matured, nor
order. Breteau says their pricing is very
in the inspection and quality control
control in Asia may be more of a
To ensure quality, almost all the
labour costs. The trend to move inland is
maintained the same quality levels as
transparent: across Asia the cost is USD
space were very expensive,” he says.
challenge than it is at home. In their
inspectors are direct employees of the
also underscored by what companies in
developed coastal regions. “It’s vital that
288 per man-day anywhere in the region.
“There basically was no affordable quality
efforts to find a balance between price
company. Approximately 75% of the
China are doing. This year, iPhone
businesses outsourcing manufacturing to
As inspections and audits are ordered
control service available in Asia for
and quality, having reliable quality control
inspectors are full-time, while the
manufacturer Foxconn will complete
those regions ensure every product
online directly from customer accounts,
medium and small accounts. In turn the
inspections done becomes vital. “The key
remaining
specialized
construction of a new plant in inland
meets international quality and safety
they are easy to re-order, and it’s also
established players, who I like to refer to
to our success in China in particular is
expertise in a particular industry or
Henan province. Other Fortune 500’s
standards.”
easy to amend scheduling and modify
as the three old ladies, really can’t be
built on a strong team of loyal
working in remote regions and are called
moving inland include HP to Chongqing
Getting AsiaInspection to do your Asian
orders right up to the day prior to the
bothered with those medium and small
inspectors,” adds Breteau on that subject.
in on an as needed basis. “As we continue
and Intel to Chengdu, with more
inspections
very
inspection date. It is also possible to
accounts as they can’t make a profit out
“Staff loyalty can be a problem in China,
to grow, finding the right people to
companies expected to follow soon
straightforward,
the
consult and approve or reject the post-
of them. So I established AsiaInspection
where the booming economy encourages
expand our team will remain a
(according to the Financial Times).
AsiaInspection web portal. A new client
inspection reports, as well as to issue
with the aim of offering the exact same
people to quickly switch from one job to
challenge,” Breteau predicts.
Breteau says that China’s coastal cities
can set up an account, providing the
certificates to suppliers automatically.
services as those three old ladies, but
the next. That is why at AsiaInspection,
Interesting in that regard is that
have begun to improve themselves in
manufacturing and finished product
“It’s this quality of service, combined
making the process more efficient by
we spend a lot of money on training our
AsiaInspection service figures show
recent years as reliable suppliers that can
specs by uploading them through the
with our fixed rates, that’s helping us to
making use of online tools, and
team of inspectors.” AsiaInspection now
significant increases in inspections
produce
quality
site. The system will provide an instant
attract a more high-profile clientele,”
specifically targeting small and medium
has more than 350 experienced quality
performed in China’s rural inland
standards. Meanwhile the manufacturing
quotation in response to a request for an
Breteau points out. “We have established
25%
have
to
international
19
18
for
you
seems
through
accounts.”
a high degree of credibility now, and I
He points out that smaller businesses
expect that we will continue to grow and
generate a big chunk of the total volume
solidify our position among the top
of international trade with Asia.
inspection companies in Asia.”
“Companies worldwide, from very large to rather small, import products from
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
Asia or outsource manufacturing to Asia. And they all have quality control requirements.” Which seems obvious.
AsiaInspection
The thought of having a container load of
Suite No. 4, 8/F Sino Plaza,
non-conforming goods a half a world
255-257 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay
away from its plant of origin is enough to
Hong Kong, 999077
make many a small business reconsider
Hong Kong
whether the Asian market opportunity is
Website: www.asiainspection.com
worth the hassle. Especially given that
17
5
4
3
2
1
