This document discusses key factors to consider when sourcing emergency light conversion kits from China, including product quality, supplier selection, quality control, and order minimums. It outlines important qualities like battery life, LED functionality, and certification. Methods for finding reliable suppliers include internet searches, trade shows, and third-party auditing firms. Quality control involves inspecting prototypes, production runs, and finished goods. Purchasers must also be aware of common high Chinese manufacturer minimum order quantities to avoid unwanted excess inventory.
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How to source quality emergency light conversion kit in china
1.
2. Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 3
What qualities you need to be looking out for in an Emergency Light Conversion Kit ............................... 4
Batteries .................................................................................................................................................... 5
LED Emergency Lightings ........................................................................................................................ 5
Control system .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Certification .............................................................................................................................................. 6
How to Source the Right Supplier ................................................................................................................. 6
1. Internet Search .................................................................................................................................. 7
Additional information .......................................................................................................................... 8
2. Social Media ......................................................................................................................................... 8
3. Hire a sourcing service provider .......................................................................................................... 9
4. Commission-based Sourcing Agent ...................................................................................................... 9
5. Trade Shows .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Quality Control systems for the distant supply chains ................................................................................ 10
Audit the factory or operational sectors of your supplier ................................................................... 10
Assess financial risks .......................................................................................................................... 11
Tests and measurement of product quality and durability .................................................................. 11
Inspection of products ......................................................................................................................... 11
1. Inspection of first-article ..................................................................................................................... 11
2. Inspection of products in the middle of production ............................................................................ 12
3. Inspection before shipping .................................................................................................................. 12
4. Inspection of random samples of manufactured products .................................................................. 12
Other Things you Need to Consider ........................................................................................................... 14
MOQ ....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Why do Chinese manufactures have high MOQs? ............................................................................. 14
How can you avoid high MOQs? ......................................................................................................... 15
Professional technical support and services ................................................................................................ 15
3. Introduction
Not everything is fair and just in this world we live in. And sometimes society tends to devalue or
overlook the things that are of paramount importance. And I guess it’s fair to say that such had been the
fate of emergency lightings.
These utilities can basically be considered as your knight in shining armor when crisis looms and you are
in that desperate need of immediate evacuation. But for so long a time, they haven’t had the recognition
they deserved. Today though, things have shifted for the better. As a matter of fact, they are dominating
the market as we speak.
In many countries emergency lightings have become mandatory for public buildings to install. So to
comply with national regulations and for the sake of public safety, a lot of companies are investing in
these equipments. And China happens to be one of the most sought-after suppliers of emergency lighting
kits.
But China is still a developing country and sourcing goods from this nation without guidance and
coordination can become rather problematic. If, for instance, you decide to import non-compliant
products from China, then your cargo might be refused entry upon arrival on port, or you might end up
facing a fine of up to U.S. $15 million. And this is just part of the issues that await your pursuit.
So if you’re a retailer or someone trying to equip your building with emergency lightings and chose to
seek out your supplier from China, then you surely are reading the right book.
The contents of this eBook are outlined to guide and help you understand the market place in China. It
deals with the various avenues in sourcing the right supplier; realizing the various systems in examining
the quality of the product before it leaves the factory; and understanding the professional technical
support and services companies provide.
4. What qualities you need to be looking out for in an
Emergency Light Conversion Kit
The occurrence of power failure is not an oddity, but when it does happen in public buildings such as a
theatre, Hotel, retail stores, or restaurants, evacuation can most certainly become a challenge, destructive
even. But with the guidance of emergency lightings, such circumstances are on most occasions well
contained. And that happens to be why this indispensable equipment is gaining global recognition at this
point. In some countries, it’s even mandatory for buildings to install emergency lightings.
Most companies, however, happen to have made the grave mistake of giving more notice to price than
quality. And purchasing emergency lightings that are of inferior quality is basically a nightmare. Low
quality emergency lightings are prone to system failure. If, for instance, the battery and the charger are of
poor quality, the device would be unable to provide sufficient illumination for the escape routes, and the
lamps might collapse.
And system failure in emergency lightings might lead to incredibly devastating casualties, such as death,
personal injury, property damage and so forth.
So if you’re going to invest in these incredibly valuable equipments, then it would be best for you to feast
your eyes on quality rather than price.
5. Batteries
The performance of emergency lightings heavily depends on the quality of its batteries. With the presence
of the mains voltage, the LEDs are managed by the standard control gear in the power supply network;
during power failure however, the LEDs are activated by the components of the emergency lighting and
operated by the battery.
As a result of high temperatures and frequent charging, the battery’s lifecycle is already prone to shorten.
So it’s best to opt for first-class batteries, that have high-temperature cells, NiCd for optimal efficiency,
NiMH for optimal energy density and extremely small dimensions, and have a range of configurations for
any application.
LED Emergency Lightings
For escape sign, escape route and anti-panic luminaries, LEDs are simply perfect. But there is a wide
range of LED modules available out in the market, so there might be a challenge in selecting one with
superior quality.
The LEDs come in different size and shape, and they are designed to suit the use of different applications
such as the escape sign, escape route, the high risk task area lighting and the anti-panic lighting. In any
case, it’s best to examine its system efficiency and cable entries. And make sure it has several mounting
options and that they can function in both maintained and non-maintained modes (Combined unit for
mains voltage and emergency lighting).
Control system
The other element in emergency lightings that has to be of superior quality is the control system. The
design of this control system has to be simple and easy to operate.
The Control System is ideal for integrating into existing control gear. It is equipped with driver, inverter
and high temperature battery pack. Supplied with a fused terminal block and pre-cut connection wires, the
modules can be tuned specifically to the lamp.
With a constant feed the batteries charge in 24 hours. So, if the main power is disrupted, the batteries kick
in with light flicking in just 0.1 second.
The Emergency Light Kit can be configured with different back-up period and different light output
levels.
The control systems can even generate test logs.
Evaluating the quality of the various components of the emergency lightings conversion kits you purchase
might be a tough challenge, so one way to approach this matter is by consulting quality control
professionals.
7. 1. Internet Search
Technology has given us the easiest and most cost-effective way of searching anything we want in this
world, and, ironically, the search engines happen to be one of the best means to finding suppliers in China.
Via Google, Bing, or Yahoo and other B2B sourcing websites such as Alibaba, made-in-china.com, or
Global Sources, you are able to find thousands of suppliers that are listed on these sites. You can
distinguish legitimate sources by filtering search results for only those entries who are "verified
suppliers," "gold members," "accredited suppliers," or "onsite suppliers." Furthermore, if there are
favorable reviews, it designates that the supplier is legitimate.
It's important, nevertheless, to be mindful about some of the verified suppliers on these sites, as they
might just be verified to exist on the site, but their production qualification, quality, or reputation might
be unconfirmed. Moreover, while these websites contain vast directories of "suppliers," some are
wholesalers or traders; therefore, it is not probable that you will get the best price from them.
8. Additional information
Global Source comprises of China Sourcing Reports (CSRs) that have detailed information on industries
in China. In the CSR, you will come across competent suppliers with their verified contact information,
pricing, market information, etc.
2. Social Media
Even though Social Medias are not the ideal avenues for discerning qualified suppliers, they are still a
good place to keep up with reviews and feedbacks. But, it is also crucial to be cautious when depending
on such platforms, for the information and reviews posted there could be misleading or anecdotal.
Here are some forums that will serve you as guidelines:
Alibaba forum
Smart China Sourcing at Global Sources
China Sourcing Blog
China Sourcing
China Sourcing Forum
9. 3. Hire a sourcing service provider
If you are seeking help in this matter, then hiring a sourcing service provider is the best choice. These
establishments will alleviate all the stress and struggles you will encounter throughout your journey. They
will significantly assist you with various services: quality control management, supplier’s identification,
supply management, price negotiation, and many other things.
The only downside to this method is that it will cost you more than a commission-based sourcing agent.
But, regarding the hassles of identifying and verifying suppliers, production inspection, and product
quality control, employing a service provider for this specific purpose could be beneficial.
4. Commission-based Sourcing Agent
Contacting commission-based sourcing agents is also another mechanism to obtaining the right supplier
for emergency light conversion kits.
These agents will help in identifying and verifying Suppliers. Furthermore, they will facilitate a
comfortable and reliable form of communication for you.
5. Trade Shows
By attending trade shows, you will be able to discover legitimate suppliers. These kinds of venues will
allow you to interact and converse with potential emergency light conversion kit suppliers. You can learn
more about their company, products, quality-control procedures, and much more.
There are two vast trade shows conducted in China: The Canton Fair and East China Fair.
The former one, being held twice a year, is the largest fair in China. Located in Guangzhou, the Canton
Fair allures thousands of people with a glut of products.
The latter is held once a year in Shanghai. The East China Fair is the biggest regional trade fair on China.
10. Quality Control systems for the distant supply chains
You can never take too many precautions when it comes to investing thousands— perhaps millions— in a
transnational destination unknown to you. How can you be sure that your supplier can provide high-
quality emergency light conversion kits? Are the products efficient and durable? Does your potential
supplier comply with international standards? What is the manufacturing process or quality control
system like?
So many unanswered questions and throbbing doubts might beset you. But rest assured; there are
numerous solutions.
If you are an investor who has set aside enough budget to travel to the supplier’s location in China, then
half your worries are taken care of. However, are you qualified to make professional analysis of the
products you wish to export from the nation? Are you aware of the customs and regulations involved in
the auditing process?
It’s highly probable, that most business men and women are not familiar with all these proceedings. This
is why international and China-based institutions and agents that are solely established for auditing
purposes exist. From Pro QC International to DataDot Technology Limited, there are many alternatives
you can select from; nevertheless, you will have to be painstakingly cautious about your selection as some
unreliable agencies may work in collusion with the companies in China. A lot of online or formal research
must be done to verify their authenticity.
These institutions, equipped with certified engineers and laboratories, will conduct a thorough research of
your supplier and deliver well-detailed surveys. The established organizations will provide documentation
of the audits supported by photographs which will help paint a vivid picture of your supplier and dispel
all concerns.
The organizations base their evaluation on the standards of the ISO9001-2000, TS16949, SA8000 and
many other authoritative standards.
These audits can be ordered according to your requirements and your budget. They are affordable and—
considering the risks entailed in the transaction—very important.
Among the many services they provide, here are a few of them:
Audit the factory or operational sectors of your supplier
Upon your request, qualified engineers go over to the operational areas of your suppliers to survey every
aspect of production.
They evaluate all procedures of manufacturing: Assessment of their management practices, their quality
control measures and methods, the possible usage of non-conforming materials and much besides.
11. Assess financial risks
The last thing you want is to lose money during the transaction, but the process is rife with complications.
Financial loss can emanate from sample products, quality failures, late delivery and so much more. So
what these organizations will do for you is survey all the potential risks involved and rate them as Low
Risk, Medium Risk, High Risk or Very High Risk.
Tests and measurement of product quality and durability
Most of these establishments have labs where they could test the quality of every component of the
emergency light conversion kits. The tests are conducted by professionals and so the results will give you
an accurate account of the authenticity and durability of the product.
Inspection of products
This is also another avenue that could save you a fortune. This step by step procedure will avert unwanted
expenditure spent on reengineering work of defective products or delayed delivery.
There are four steps to the inspection:
1. Inspection of first-article
Before proceeding to mass production, the organization evaluates the first article. If they meet
your required standards, production will proceed. If they don’t, however, corrective measures
will be taken and spare you the reengineering work that would come after the products are
manufactured en mass.
12. 2. Inspection of products in the middle of production
During the production process the auditors will visit the venue and examine if manufacturing is
in compliance with the standards you ordered.
3. Inspection before shipping
Before the emergency light conversion kits are shipped, on-site inspections are undertaken to
examine if the finished products and their packaging is of superior quality.
4. Inspection of random samples of manufactured products
On your behalf, auditors would approach the factory, pick a few random products from the
finished supplies, and ship them to you or any other lab you believe would conduct reliable
assessments of the samples.
Another way of asserting if your supplier meets international and local standards is making great
use of the following authoritative links:
13. National Standards Institute http://www.nssn.org/
American National Standards Institute http://www.ansi.org
Standards Council of Canada http://www.scc.ca/en
International Organization for
Standardization
http://www.iso.org
ASTM International http://www.astm.org
Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers
http://www.ieee.org
Hong Kong Trade Development Council http://www.tdctrade.com
China Council for the Development of
International Trade
http://english.ccpit.org
China Today http://www.chinatoday.com
Global Business Information Services,
Inc.
http://www.glo-bis.com/
European Portal http://www.europeanunion.com
U.S. Customs Service http://www.cbp.gov/
United States Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov/
U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission
http://www.cpsc.gov
International Trade Commission http://www.usitc.gov/
14. Other Things you Need to Consider
MOQ
MOQ is an acronym for Minimum Order Quantity. It basically means the minimum quantity of products
that a Chinese supplier is willing to sell.
Most buyers are somewhat perturbed by the most common question any supplier asks: how many
products do you want? Now, from a supplier’s point of view, it’s a fair question, but from yours, a lot of
factors play into the equation. Are the emergency light conversion kits of superior quality? If you are a
retailer, will the products fly off the shelves or become a grave mistake? These and so many other
questions arise in the matter of MOQs.
Why do Chinese manufactures have high MOQs?
The profit margins in China are pretty low, often as low as 2-3%. So manufacturers need to
compensate for that through volume productions.
15. What Is often misunderstood is that Chinese suppliers have warehouses where they have quality
products ready for shipment. That’s an incorrect assumption. Storages in China are not free and
maintaining a large stock would lead to the increase of prices. Therefore, most Chinese suppliers’
don’t purchase materials and components until orders are made. They need mass orders, at least
10,000, to jumpstart production.
How can you avoid high MOQs?
As a smart business man you’ll have to order a few samples, mainly for two reasons: to assess their
quality and test the market. You’ll need to place a few orders, say 10. In this case, you will need to
contact a wholesaler not a factory.
However, if you’re going for big orders, then search for suppliers offering the lowest MOQs.
Another way to lower MOQs is to reuse colors, materials and components on many products. This will
curtail the number of subcontractors the manufacturer will require and thus lower the MOQ.
Professional technical support and services
16. Professional emergency lightning enterprises give unflinching technical advises and services to their
customers. As a buyer, you would want to rest your confidence in these suppliers, want to obtain quality
products, get intensive services, and support from them— that is exactly what firms such as Sanforce
Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd provides.
Located in China, Shenzhen, the company has over 15 years of experience in terms of manufacturing top-
quality rechargeable NiCD/NiMH battery, and over 7 years of experience in supplying excellent
emergency light power. Furthermore, all of Sanforce’s productions have passed CE, EMC & Rohs
certification. The firm is dedicated to bestowing satisfactory services to customers not only in China, but
also abroad.
Sanforce Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd supplies efficient and safe emergency lightning conversion kits.
The enterprise asserts that it works diligently to fulfill customers’ demands, and facilitate high-quality
products tailored to the Chinese and overseas markets.
The company has gained trust and appraisal from local and international customers for its safe, reliable,
efficient, easy to install, high brightness, energy saving products.
Working under the principles of offering the finest services and providing top-notch products, Sanforce
also provides emergency light conversion kits that are of reasonable price to customers at home and
abroad.
