Snapshot

Challenges Faced

Before working with The China Desk, the client faced several critical issues:

• Unreliable outsourced quality assessments: The third-party sample assessment service failed to meet the client’s quality team requirements, lacking deep product knowledge and failing to provide actionable solutions.
• Inconsistent product documentation: Instruction manuals varied in quality and clarity, creating confusion for customers and weakening the brand experience.
• Poor purchase order management: Limited follow-up on orders led to delayed production schedules and missed shipping deadlines, disrupting the entire supply chain.
• Expensive and opaque inspections: The company used costly third-party inspection firms without transparency into on-ground operations or meaningful supplier relationships.

Positions Hired & Responsibilities

Kinyu’s China Desk helped the client build a comprehensive local team:

Bespoke Advisory and Support

Beyond recruitment, the client also gained direct access to the Kinyu GM Function — a local management team offering strategic advice and practical solutions for supply chain challenges.

• Partner Introductions: Achieved savings of up to 85% compared with standard recruiting firms.
• Comprehensive HR management: Handled travel expense reimbursements, bonus calculations and employee reviews seamlessly.
• Team building and engagement: Organised quarterly events where the team discusses challenges and enjoys dinner together, fostering collaboration and morale.
• Customised office setup: Provided over 100 square metres of office space with outdoor areas for sample assessments. The office was refurbished according to team needs, including furniture, testing equipment, water station and Wi-Fi.
• Supply chain resource introductions: Connected the client with a graphic design consultant to improve instruction manuals and quality management software enabling factories and QC teams to self-report on inspections.

What Our Client Says

The Kinyu team demonstrated a deep cultural understanding of both the UK and China, which contributed to the project’s success

Transform Your Home Goods Supply Chain in China

Whether you want to boost product quality, streamline supplier management, or reduce operational costs, building the right team on the ground can make all the difference. Want to see how we can help your business? Get in touch.

The post Building a Quality Control Team for Home Goods in China appeared first on Kinyu.

For one London-based firm, the solution was hiring a seasoned China country manager through The China Desk, transforming their procurement strategy and boosting supplier reliability overnight.

Snapshot

Challenges Faced

Before engaging The China Desk, the company faced several persistent issues:

• No formal procurement or vendor selection process, which often resulted in subpar products.
• The company struggled to manage supplier relationships remotely.
• Sourcing activities were slow and costly.
• Miscommunications and cultural differences complicated the company’s dealings with Chinese suppliers.

Positions Hired & Responsibilities

China Country Manager

• Acts as the company’s on-the-ground representative.
• Developed a robust procurement strategy tailored for the China market.
• Built and maintains an approved vendor list.
• Coordinates with third-party partners on exports, logistics and project delivery.
• Manages high-stakes procurement projects from inception to completion.

Bespoke Advisory and Support

Beyond recruitment, the client also gained direct access to the Kinyu GM Function — a local management team offering strategic advice and practical solutions for supply chain challenges.

• Partner Introductions: Introduced the client to strategic supply chain service partners, enhancing both efficiency and risk management.
• On-The-Ground Support: Supported the client during visits to China, including on-site factory tours and senior-level meetings in Beijing.
  

What Our Client Says

Thanks to Kinyu SCM, we have achieved $1.5 million in business dealings with China. Kinyu SCM has delivered all tasks on time and demonstrated stellar project management — they’ve exceeded our expectations. Kinyu’s strategic networking and professionalism are exemplary.

Improve Your Supply Chain Operation in China

By working with The China Desk, this U.K. energy company improved its China procurement, gained more control, cut costs and set itself up for future success. Want to see how we can help your business? Get in touch.

The post Kinyu Helps UK Energy Firm Cut Costs and Improve Quality appeared first on Kinyu.

This case study explains how a multinational telecommunications firm used The China Desk, Kinyu’s supply chain-focused Employer of Record service, to hire and manage key personnel on the ground. The result: improved cooperation on firmware development.

Snapshot

Challenges Faced

The client encountered several key issues before engaging The China Desk, including:

• The U.K. team struggled to cooperate with the firmware team at the Chinese supplier.
• Time zone and language barriers meant that important information was not being shared or communicated correctly.
• Product development processes were costly and inefficient.
• The Chinese supplier failed to raise issues in a timely manner, resulting in expensive reworking.

Positions Hired & Responsibilities

Kinyu’s China Desk helped the client build a dedicated local team:

• Technical Project Manager
  A well-organised and technically capable professional with experience in firmware development and manufacturing for major Western companies operating in China. The hired manager effectively oversees the supplier’s firmware team and communicates with all relevant stakeholders in the U.K. office. This team member understands the U.K. requirements, communicates them to the supplier, and acts as a vital bridge for key product development projects.

Bespoke Advisory and Support

Beyond recruitment, the client also gained direct access to the Kinyu GM Function — a local management team offering strategic advice and practical solutions for supply chain challenges.

• Hiring solution: Kinyu proposed hiring a local manager as part of a strategic plan to improve cooperation with the Chinese supplier.
• Supply chain support: In addition to the full-time employee in Tianjin, Kinyu assisted the U.K. team in managing QC inspections and communicating with the supplier’s supply chain team.
• Team building and engagement: Organised quarterly events for team collaboration and hosted annual trips for the employee to the UK for team building.
• Supplier relationship management: The Kinyu senior team visits the supplier quarterly on behalf of UK senior management to maintain high-level relations.

What Our Client Says

Without Kinyu’s support our project simply would not have progressed this far. There is a significant gap between our expectations of a supplier and the level of service received by the hardware supplier for this project that Kinyu successfully bridged for us.

Kinyu have enabled us to keep our programmes moving by acting as our representative on the ground in China, facilitating conversations with our suppliers and subcontractors. The situation has been very fluid but Ben and the team have always gone above and beyond.

With the help of the Kinyu team, we have been able to hire a technical project manager based in China who has had an extremely positive impact on our technical deliveries, improving communication and efficiency.

Improve Your Supply Chain Operation in China

Whether you want to boost product quality, streamline supplier management, or reduce operational costs, building the right team on the ground can make all the difference.

The post Hiring a Project Manager in China for Smart Home Firmware appeared first on Kinyu.

This case study explains how a fast-growing U.K. furniture company worked with The China Desk, Kinyu’s supply chain Employer of Record service, to hire and manage a local team in China. The partnership led to better product quality, major cost savings and more efficient vendor management.

Snapshot

Challenges Faced

Before engaging The China Desk, the client struggled with:

• Lack of in-house quality control:
  The company relied on a third-party inspection firm for quality management. These agencies only reported issues, without offering solutions, and lacked deep knowledge of the company’s products and specific quality standards.
• Difficulty managing supplier relationships remotely:
  Challenges — including delayed lead times and product defects — were difficult to resolve from a distance due to time zone differences, language barriers and cultural misunderstandings.

Positions Hired & Responsibilities

Kinyu’s China Desk helped the client build a dedicated local team:

• Supplier Account Manager
  Ensures factories meet contract requirements and maintains direct communication.
• Quality Control Supervisor
  Leads defect analysis, coordinates quality inspections and creates improvement plans.
• Quality Control Inspectors (2)
  Handle pre-shipment checks, flag issues early and keep suppliers accountable.

Bespoke Advisory and Support

In addition to recruitment, the client benefited from the full support of the Kinyu GM Function — a dedicated local management resource providing strategic guidance and hands-on problem-solving across the supply chain.

• Recruitment of all positions: Achieved savings of up to 70% compared to industry-standard recruitment firms.
• Hiring plan: Advised the client on the cost and quality improvement benefits of building an internal QC team.
• Comprehensive HR management: Managed travel expense reimbursements, bonus calculations, employee reviews and visa applications.
• Team building and employee engagement: Organised quarterly events for the team to share challenges and enjoy meals together.
• Introduction to local resources: Connected the client with a sustainable packaging supplier to eliminate single-use plastics from their packaging.
• Alternative supplier sourcing: Encouraged the team to identify backup suppliers, reducing risk if issues arise with key vendors.

What Our Client Says

Kinyu helps manage our China supply chain effectively, providing reliable boots on the ground. They have enhanced our operation & we look forward to growing our team

Want to Improve Your China Furniture Sourcing in China?

Whether you want to boost product quality, streamline supplier management, or reduce operational costs, building the right team on the ground can make all the difference.

The post Improving China Furniture Sourcing with a Local Team appeared first on Kinyu.