Looking to Diversify Your Supply Chain from Asia?

The Manufacturing Solution That’s Practically in Your Backyard

Manufacturing in Asia

If you’re in the apparel industry, there’s a good chance you have a supply chain in Asia. In 2019, China’s clothing exports were valued at $119.6 billion and textile exports were valued at $151.6 billion, far exceeding the values of anyone else on the list. Other countries like Vietnam, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are also leading exporters of garments.

Many Asian countries have low land and labor costs, and they have years of manufacturing experience. Manufacturers can create large volumes of product in a short amount of time, leading to greater profits for the companies they serve.

Why Should You Diversify Your Supply Chain from Asia?

In today’s economy, it’s important to have the ability to source materials from a variety of places in case complications arise or to gain a competitive advantage. Although this was already a well-known concept before 2020 and the global pandemic, many companies were reminded just how important it is to have a diverse supply chain. Here are a few reasons you may want to look for manufacturing opportunities outside of Asia.

• Tariffs

Paying import tariffs is expensive, and it’s worse for some countries than others. The current trade war between the U.S. and China has been especially costly to U.S.-based businesses. A recent report from Moody’s Investor Service says, “a majority of the cost of tariffs have been passed on to US importers.” This factor alone has caused many companies to look for sourcing and manufacturing alternatives.

• Long Lead Times

Long lead times and logistics also need to be factored into the equation. Once the garments are created, they need to arrive as soon as possible. After all, apparel is a time-sensitive industry. Styles and seasons change quickly, and a shipment that arrives too late can cost you dearly in lost profit.

• High Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)

Many manufacturers in Asia require high minimum order quantities. This can cost a lot of money upfront, which is especially hard for new businesses.

What’s Stopping You?

It takes time, human energy, and money to research new manufacturing and supply chain opportunities. You may not know what’s out there, and it’s hard to find the information you need to make the right decision. It may also be hard to find a manufacturer with the specific skill set you need. And once you do find the right one, you may still need to find raw materials and figure out logistics.

But what if someone else did all that work for you? What if you had access to the exact materials you needed, sourced from a variety of suppliers, and a factory with the skills to make your products with shorter lead times and duty-free shipping? That would make your job a whole lot easier.

5 Reasons to Manufacture in Haiti with LMI

We think our process for manufacturing in Haiti is the perfect solution for anyone looking to start or diversify their supply chain. Here’s why…

 1. Close to Home

Since the 2010 earthquake devastated this beautiful Caribbean nation, Haiti has seen a surge in goodwill and support from countries all over the world. Reconstruction has been a slow and difficult process, and it will continue for years to come.

The growth of the manufacturing industry is one way to bring dignified wages to people who so desperately need them. U.S. consumers are paying closer attention to the origin of their purchases, and they feel a sense of pride in helping the economies of countries like Haiti, so close to home.

2. Shorter Lead Times

While shipping from China and other countries in Asia can take 15 to over 25 days, it only takes 3 days for shipments from Haiti to reach Miami. In an ever-changing market, the ability to get your products into your customers’ hands faster can make all the difference for your bottom line.

3. Duty-free Shipping to the United States

The U.S. government has taken several initiatives to help grow the economy in Haiti by offering duty-free access to the U.S. market for many different items manufactured there without regard to the source material country of origin. This makes Haiti an attractive alternative to China as the trade war continues to cause tariffs to soar.

4. U.S.-Based Contract Manufacturing

If the idea of finding the right factory and sourcing all the materials for your supply chain has you feeling overwhelmed, LMI is here to help you. We are a U.S.-based company, and we oversee each project from creating the first samples to delivery. When you work with us, you’ll save hours in research time, avoid costly trips to visit manufacturers, and never run into language barriers.

5. Done-For-You Tiered Pricing and Flexible MOQs

When you manufacture with LMI, we provide you with tiered pricing options for your products made with raw materials from a variety of places. We will show you what it costs to use materials from the U.S., Latin America, and Asia. We also offer flexible MOQs, so you don’t need a huge order to work with us. When you partner with LMI, we’ll help you create the perfect product for your customers. 

If you’re looking for a way to get a competitive advantage in today’s marketplace and provide the best products for your customers, we hope you’ll consider manufacturing in Haiti with LMI. Contact us today to get started.