Field notes on sourcing from India
Playbooks and guides from the desk that runs sourcing end to end. Practical, specific, and free of jargon.
The library19 guides
The pros and cons of sourcing from India (and when it's worth it)
Sourcing from India has real advantages and real challenges, and the balance depends on what you source and how you go about it. Here is an even-handed weighing of both sides, and when it is worth it.
Read the guide- 02Sourcing playbook
Procurement, sourcing, purchasing: what's the difference?
These three words get used interchangeably, but they describe different things. Procurement is the umbrella, sourcing is finding and choosing suppliers, and purchasing is the act of buying. Here is how each works and how they fit together.
7 min read - 03Sourcing playbook
What is contract manufacturing? A simple guide
Contract manufacturing is when a company outsources production of its parts or products to a third-party manufacturer that makes them to spec, under contract. Here is what it means, the main types, why companies use it, the benefits and risks, and how it works.
8 min read - 04Sourcing playbook
What is custom sourcing? A simple guide
Custom sourcing means having a manufacturer produce a part built to your own specification, drawing, and requirements, rather than buying off the shelf. Here is what it covers, the process it runs through, when it is the right choice, and how it differs from direct sourcing.
8 min read - 05Sourcing playbook
What is direct sourcing? A simple guide
Direct sourcing means buying standard, established components straight from the manufacturer that makes them, with no design phase, no tooling, and no distributor markup. Here is what it means, when it is the right choice, and how it differs from custom sourcing.
7 min read - 06Sourcing playbook
Procurio vs IndiaMART: what's the difference, and which do you need?
They are different kinds of thing and solve different parts of the problem. IndiaMART is a directory that helps you find suppliers. Procurio is a managed service that sources, qualifies, inspects, and delivers the parts for you.
7 min read - 07Sourcing playbook
How do I shortlist and compare Indian suppliers? A selection framework
Finding candidates is easy; there are thousands. The hard part is narrowing the list and comparing finalists fairly. Here is a structured funnel, the criteria to score on, and the one discipline that matters most: comparing quotes apples to apples.
8 min read - 08Sourcing playbook
Sourcing agent vs trading company: what's the difference?
The two terms get used as if they mean the same thing. They do not. One facilitates your transaction; the other is your transaction. The difference decides who you contract with, who is accountable, and how much of the deal you get to see.
8 min read - 09Sourcing playbook
How do I protect my IP and drawings when sourcing from India?
An NDA alone does not cover you, because cross-border enforcement is slow and uncertain. The strongest protection combines legal tools, practical measures that limit your exposure, and the right choice of who you work with and how.
10 min read - 10Sourcing playbook
What is the minimum order quantity for Indian manufacturers?
There is no single MOQ, and any source that gives you one number is guessing. It ranges from a single prototype to several thousand units, set mostly by the process. Here are realistic ranges, what drives them, and how to get a small order made.
10 min read - 11Sourcing playbook
ISO 9001 vs IATF 16949: what's the difference, and which one you need
They are not two options you choose between. IATF 16949 is built on top of ISO 9001, not instead of it. Here is exactly what each standard is, what the automotive layer adds, and which to require from a supplier.
9 min read - 12Sourcing playbook
How much does a sourcing agent charge?
The real ranges are not a mystery. But the headline rate is the wrong thing to fixate on: a 5% commission and a 12% margin can deliver wildly different value. Here is what drives the number, what is included, and how to judge whether it is worth it.
9 min read - 13Sourcing playbook
What quality certifications should I require from Indian suppliers?
Certifications are the fastest way to filter a shortlist down to the suppliers worth your time, as long as you require the right ones and no more. Here is a compliance checklist by sector, and how to verify each is real.
10 min read - 14Sourcing playbook
How does a sourcing agent work? A plain-English guide
"Sourcing agent" covers several quite different arrangements, paid in different ways and sitting on different sides of the table. Here is what they actually do, how they charge, and how to tell a trustworthy one from a risky one.
10 min read - 15Sourcing playbook
What are the risks of sourcing from India, and how to manage each one
Every cost saving comes with risks. The buyers who get burned are the ones who treated India as "find a cheap supplier and send money." Here are the real risks, named plainly, and how to manage each.
10 min read - 16Sourcing playbook
Is India a good alternative to China for CNC machining?
Short answer: yes, and machining is one of the categories where India competes most directly with China. But "good alternative" is not the same as "better at everything." Here is the honest, even-handed comparison.
8 min read - 17Sourcing playbook
How to find reliable manufacturers in India
India has no shortage of manufacturers. The hard part is telling which ones can hold a tolerance, ship on time, and pass an audit. Here is how to find and qualify them.
13 min read - 18Sourcing playbook
How long it takes to move manufacturing from China to India
There is no single number. The runway runs from a few weeks to well over a year, depending on what you are moving. Here is a realistic, phase-by-phase timeline.
10 min read - 19Sourcing playbook
How to handle payment and currency risk when buying from India
Payment risk and currency risk hide inside one question, and they need completely separate tools. Here is how to stage the money behind quality, and stop a rate swing eating your savings.
10 min read
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