Supply chain quality control – industry news

COVID-19 Impact: China Sourcing Suggests W-Shaped Recovery While Manufacturing Struggles in Rest of Asia

Throughout Q2 2020, global supply chains have remained in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns are triggering dramatic yet erratic drops in demand and supply.

July 08, 2020

QIMA Q2 2020 Barometer: COVID-19 Impact: After a Brief Post-Lockdown Rebound, Sourcing from China Plummets 19% in Late March

Q1 2020 has been by far the most turbulent quarter since QIMA started analyzing trends in global sourcing, quality and compliance in 2012.

April 07, 2020

Q1 2020 Barometer: 2019 in Review – China Sourcing Volumes Drop for First Time Ever, While Quality and Sourcing Ethics Suffer in Emerging Regions

While the promise of a US-China trade deal may have brought some welcome optimism to the holiday season, the changes wrought on global trade by the trade wars of 2019 will linger.

January 09, 2020

QIMA Q4 Barometer: Quality and Sourcing Ethics Take a Hit as US Businesses Accelerate their Retreat from China

Last quarter, in a QIMA survey of 150+ global businesses in all major consumer segments...

October 10, 2019

QIMA Has Acquired World Quality Services (WQS), the Leading Food Certification and Audit Provider

The acquisition expands QIMA's food safety solutions capabilities and American footprint.

September 18, 2019

QIMA Q3 2019 Barometer: Trade War: US Demand for China-based Inspections Drops by -13% as Other Regions Reap Benefits

Despite new US-China tariff hikes being on hold, the continuing shifting of US sourcing away from China underscores the lingering uncertainty faced by American businesses. European buyers, while less affected by the trade war, have their own reasons to decrease their reliance on...

July 8, 2019

QIMA Recognized by Sagemcom for Client-First Approach

QIMA, a global quality control and supplier compliance service provider, announced today that it has been named the ‘No. 1 Supplier’ in the client-centric category by French high-tech group Sagemcom. The award was announced during Sagemcom’s annual supplier conference in...

April 19, 2019

Q2 2019 Barometer: Safety Concerns Keep Growing as Manufacturing Competition Rages in Asia

Global sourcing in the first quarter of 2019 is still largely shaped by the fallout of 2018, in which US-China trade wars shook up the global sourcing landscape and drove many buyers to new markets in an attempt to escape the worst of tariffs’ hikes and future-proof their...

April 10, 2019

Q1 2019 Barometer: A Look Back at Global Sourcing in 2018: Trade Wars, Diversification, Sustainability Challenges

Between the US-China tariff stand-off and the increasing consumer and governments’ scrutiny on sustainability issues, 2018 proved a challenging year for global sourcing. Many brands and retailers turned towards increased diversification of their sourcing in order to hedge...

January 9, 2019

Q4 2018 Barometer: Are Supply Chain Ethics Becoming a Casualty of the Trade Wars?

As Asia’s manufacturing hubs are ramping up production for the upcoming holiday season, this quarter’s barometer paints a picture of increasingly diversified global sourcing and some worrying trends for sustainability. In addition to the data collected from tens of thousands...

October 4, 2018

Q3 2018 Barometer: Ethical, Environmental Concerns Run High in Global Supply Chains

While concerns about international trade tensions abound halfway into 2018, QIMA's latest data on quality inspection and supplier audit demand offers some perspective on the shape of things to come in global sourcing.

July 6, 2018

Q2 2018 Barometer: China Unfazed by Global Trade Stand-Off, Supply Chains Face New Ethical Concerns

As manufacturing picks up in Asia’s sourcing hubs following the Chinese New Year break, QIMA's Q1 statistics for inspection and audit demand reflect the emerging sourcing trends of 2018.

April 6, 2018

QIMA Q1 Barometer: What Does 2018 Hold for Global Supply Chains

QIMA's 2018 Q1 Barometer offers a collection of unique insights on the state of sourcing, quality and compliance in 2017, as well as the trends that will shape the sourcing landscape of 2018.

January 4, 2018

QIMA Q4 Barometer: Manufacturing Peak Season Brings New Quality and Ethical Challenges

As the holidays approach and manufacturing peak season has started in sourcing powerhouses throughout Asia, QIMA data on inspection and audit demand reflects the overall trends in the region.

October 5, 2017

QIMA Expands Testing Capabilities with Fully Accredited Lab in Hangzhou, China

QIMA's new facility complements QIMA's testing capabilities in China, offering an extensive selection of consumer product tests to international and local buyers.

July 17, 2017

QIMA Q3 Barometer: Quality, Safety, Ethics: Supply Chains Still Struggle in 2017

Halfway through 2017, QIMA's onsite inspection and supplier audit statistics paint a picture of the ongoing struggle between old-school sourcing giants and their up-and-coming competition.

July 6, 2017

QIMA Has Acquired GOAL, the Mexican Leader in Pre-Customs Clearance Inspections

Acquisition of GOAL expands QIMA's footprint in Latin America and offers synergies with existing services for quality control and supplier compliance.

May 18, 2017

QIMA Q2 Barometer: 2017 Brings Product Quality Issues and Ethical Challenges

QIMA's Q1 figures for inspection and audit demand are a reflection of the sourcing trends that will continue shaping global trade throughout the rest of 2017. The first quarter of 2017 has proven challenging for ethical compliance, as QIMA data saw the percentage of "Red," or...

April 6, 2017

QIMA Has Acquired ETIC, a State-of-the-Art Eyewear Testing Facility in Hong Kong

QIMA announced the completion of its acquisition of ETIC, a leading eyewear testing and inspection company in Hong Kong and China. ETIC's lab expands QIMA's global product safety offering and complements the company's existing lab testing facilities.

March 21, 2017

QIMA Has Acquired Produce Inspectors of America (PIA), the Global Leader in Berry Inspections

Acquisition of PIA expands QIMA’s food quality control capabilities and American footprint. PIA’s team of 400 operates in North and Latin America, Europe and Asia.

January 23, 2017

QIMA Q1 Barometer: 2016 in Review: Worrying Trends for Quality and Compliance across Global Supply Chains

QIMA 2016 audits and inspection demand gives an indication of the attractiveness of each sourcing regions for global brands and buyers. Read more in QIMA's Q1 barometer

January 5, 2017

QIMA Q4 Barometer: China Growth Stabilizing as Exploding Batteries and Factory Fires Plague Supply Chains

QIMA data for Q3 2016 in China shows increased audit and inspection demand, at +12.6% compared to Q3 2015, consistent with the economic rebound China has displayed recently. Indeed, latest manufacturing PMI data for September shows a sustained growth at 50.4. Read more in QIMA's...

October 6, 2016

QIMA Q3 Barometer: Asia Pacific Unfazed by Global Trade Uncertainty, Apparel Supply Chains Struggle with Responsible Sourcing

Q2 2016 brings a lot of uncertainty to global trade, but China and Asia Pacific appear unfazed. Meanwhile, global apparel supply chains still struggle with safety and unethical labor practices, while massive product recalls emphasize the importance of quality control. Read more...

July 7, 2016

QIMA Q2 Barometer: New Trade Directions Emerge, While Forced Labor and Structural Risks Plague Global Supply Chains

The year 2016 begins with shifts in global trade, ongoing quality issues, and a host of ethical challenges: from structural risks accompanying expansion in Egypt, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, to skyrocketing forced labor problems in Turkey.

April 7, 2016

QIMA Q1 Barometer: 2015 Ends with Exploding Hoverboards and Growing Ethical Concerns

China still in the spotlight for product safety, ethical issues abound in new sourcing regions and environmental impact is moving up the supply chain priority list.

Jan 7, 2016

QIMA Q4 Barometer: CSR, it's Becoming Harder to Hide. China Growth Hits New Low

China's new Food Safety Law introduces harsher standards and punishments and Bangladeshi prosecutors bring murder charges against the owners of Rana Plaza and the Tazreen factory.

Oct 8, 2015

Consumers Driving Sea Change As 2,000 Slave Laborers Released

Most people think slavery ended over a hundred years ago – in reality, it only became illegal globally in 2007 and worse still, it continues unabated. It is rampant in key developing markets that are also the world’s production powerhouses.

September 30, 2015

Product Testing Boost for Toy Manufacturers Worldwide

QIMA's recent acquisition of Anseco Group means toy and product manufacturers around the world can benefit from customer-focused service and accredited laboratory expertise.

September 22, 2015

QIMA Q3 Barometer: Southeast Asia Sees Staggering Growth, Food Violations Continue

While the economy of China may be growing at its slowest pace in six years, global brands are readily expanding their supply chains to other low-cost destinations in Asia.

July 7, 2015

QIMA Q2 Barometer: 68 Million Children Forced to Work, Death at Work Every 15 Seconds

The ILO published that every 15 seconds someone dies as a result of an occupational accident or disease. Congruent with what seems to be a sharp rise in global awareness on ethical sourcing issues, QIMA saw ethical audits demand increase by 65% year over year.

April 7, 2015

QIMA Q1 Barometer: Cheap Labor Came at a High Price in 2014

Increased global supply chain transparency in 2014 revealed shocking statistics on the number of forced and child laborers worldwide, while workers across Asia faced consistently hazardous Health & Safety conditions.

January 14, 2015

QIMA Q4 Barometer: China Food Scandals Hit New Highs

China had one of its worst quarters ever for food scares, with major international brands caught up in an expired meat scandal and a food inspection failure rate over 50%. In Bangladesh, exports continue to grow despite factory closures and worsening audit scores.

October 8, 2014

QIMA Q2 Barometer: Riots, Strikes and 200,000 Toxic Products

Despite a quarter that saw riots in Vietnam, protests in China, and a toxic dye scandal, Asian manufacturing showed promising and consistent growth. Meanwhile, Africa is performing well and India has ascended to No.2 in global textile exports.

July 10, 2014

QIMA Q1 Barometer: China - This Dragon Isn’t Sleeping

Due to Chinese New Year seasonality, February export figures plummeted 18% compared with 2013. The media has been reporting that the Chinese economy is on the brink of slowdown. What isn’t mentioned is that China continues to be the dominant sourcing region by sheer volume.

April 8, 2014

QIMA Q4 Barometer: The Year of Social Accountability in the Supply Chain?

2013 was a challenging year for brands and retailers worldwide in the face of increasing supply chain social issues, most notably the Rana Plaza tragedy, where a Bangladesh factory collapse took the lives of 1,129 people.

January 14, 2014

QIMA Q3 Barometer: Asia’s Shifting Supply Chain – When Chasing Lower Costs Sacrifices Safety

Since the Rana Plaza Factory collapse in April 2013, QIMA figures show a +52% increase in Factory Accountability Audits throughout Asia for Q3 2013 compared to Q3 2012 and a +167% spike in Bangladesh.

October 4, 2013

QIMA Mobile App: Now Manage Your Supply Chain on the Go!

QIMA announces the launch of its mobile application, allowing inspections, audits and lab tests to be ordered from smartphones and tablets. The QIMA App will allow brands, retailers and importers to secure their imports from the convenience of their mobile device.

September 27, 2013

Dangerous Products from China Force Middle East Business Procurement Executives to React

Middle East quality audits rise 30% year-on-year; growth in audits driven by increased outsourcing, need to ensure product quality and adherence to international regulations.

September 5, 2013

QIMA Q2 Barometer: 1,800+ Deaths Later, Is Social Accountability on the Rise in Asia?

Q2 2013 saw increased interest from buyers around the globe in finding ways to tackle sub-contracting to unlicensed factories. In particular, Social Audits increased by +56% across the Asian Continent.

July 5, 2013

QIMA Acquires CHB Laboratory to Strengthen Consumer Goods Testing and Certification Capabilities

QIMA today announced it has completed the acquisition of CHB, a private Chinese owned lab testing company. CHB is CNAS and CMA accredited and is a leader in REACH and RoHS testing.

June 25, 2013

QIMA Q1 Barometer: China Dominates World's Goods

China is seeing sustained growth in manufacturing output: when it surpassed the United States in 2010 to become the world's largest manufacturer, their output accounted for 23% of global manufacturing.

April 5, 2013

QIMA Acquires AsiaTech QC

QIMA today announced it has completed the acquisition of AsiaTech QC, a privately owned quality control company specializing in the technical industry. Their expertise covers electronic, metal, plastic components and assembly, tooling & consumer products.

April 1, 2013

QIMA Q4 Barometer: China Held its Ground in 2012

QIMA’s Q4's figures show that despite global pessimism, the Asian export market, particularly China and Vietnam, remained strong. For the first three quarters of 2012, China’s exports grew to account for 11.1% of total global trade, up 0.6% from the same period in...

January 15, 2013

QIMA Q3 Barometer: Inspection Data Tells Different Story About China's Slowing Growth

QIMA’s Q3's figures show that despite a recent slowdown in the unprecedented growth seen from China, the country's economy, manufacturing sector and quality control industry are sustaining stable growth with ordered inspections and audits up +23.7% quarter-over-quarter and...

October 10, 2012

Shanghai Business Review: Fixing China’s Food

China's food production industry has been badly hit by a number of high profile scandals in recent years and foreign companies are not exempt. Recent incidents even include Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola. Shanghai Business Review discusses China food manufacturing and food safety with...

September 1, 2012

QIMA Q2 Barometer: The Positive Momentum of China-Africa Bilateral Trade.

QIMA’s Q2 figures indicate that Africa is a growing importer of Made-in-Asia products, particularly Made-in-China. The growth in demand for quality control in Asia from African importers outperformed that of all other regions by more than 20%, increasing +23% from the first...

July 9, 2012

QIMA Q1 Barometer: Latin America, the Next "Gold Rush" of Chinese Exports.

During Q1 2012, inspections in Asia ordered by Latin American importers increased from Q1 2011 by an average of 120%. Brazil, Latin America's largest economy, saw one of the largest increases with inspection orders up 240% compared to Q1 2011.

April 18, 2012

QIMA Q4 Barometer: 1 in Every 2 China Food Inspections Failed in 2011

QIMA figures show in 2011 51% of food inspections conducted in Mainland China failed. While the majority of these inspections were failed because of minor defects, 10% were for critical defects with an extreme case involving contamination by a large quantity of rodent fecal...

January 25, 2012

A New Level of Service for Food Safety: Silliker and QIMA Launch AsiaFoodInspection

Silliker, a Mérieux NutriSciences company, and QIMA are launching AsiaFoodInspection (www.asiafoodinspection.com), a service combining Silliker's...

December 8, 2011

QIMA Q3 Barometer: With Rising Costs, Can China Keep its Competitive Edge?

QIMA announces the QIMA Q3 Barometer, a quarterly synopsis of the Asia-based manufacturing and quality control services industry. China’s manufacturers currently face many challenges to stay competitive. Chief among these challenges is the yuan’s inflation, up 6.2% from...

October 10, 2011

Your Eyes in the Supply Chain!™

Follow Daniel, an QIMA certified inspector, on a day in the factory. See what the inspector sees in this two-minute video and learn the basics of what is checked during a Pre-Shipment Inspection.

September 2011

QIMA Q2 Barometer shows China races to secure Venezuela oil with exports.

QIMA announces the QIMA Q2 Barometer, a quarterly synopsis of the Asia-based manufacturing and quality control services industry. In Q2 2011, QIMA service figures in China increased +27% year-over-year, continuing to outpace export growth which grew 20% from year-earlier periods.

July 20, 2011

QIMA Q1 Barometer Shows China's industry is moving inland to keep exports competitive.

QIMA announces the QIMA Q1 Barometer, a quarterly synopsis of the Asia-based manufacturing and quality control services industry. QIMA service figures show significant increases in inspections performed in China's rural inland provinces, reflecting a shift of manufacturing...

April 07, 2011

QIMA Q4 Barometer Shows Chinese Exports in Record Demand

QIMA announces the QIMA Q4 Barometer, a quarterly synopsis of the Asia-based manufacturing and quality control services industry. QIMA service bookings grew +30% year-to-date through the end of Q4 2010.

January 13, 2011

Toxic Toys Require Responsible Importers

As governments respond to toxic toys with more regulations, consumers are becoming more selective - leaving importers with no choice but to regularly test their products for hazardous substances. In a recent test study by American nonprofit The Ecology Center, 42% of 700 popular...

December 22, 2010

Fox Run Brands Highly Recommends QIMA

Fox Run has been a leading supplier of quality products under recognizable brand names such as Fox Run Kitchens, Ironwood Gourmet, Kitchen Art and Nantucket Seafood Tools. After working with QIMA, Jory Barrad, Director, Fox Run had this to say: "I have worked with several...

November 2010

QIMA Q3 Market Barometer Shows Quality Control Services Outpaced Manufacturing in Growth During Quarter

QIMA today announces the QIMA Q3 Barometer, a synopsis of the Asia-based manufacturing and quality control services industry. QIMA bookings grew 45% year-to-date through the end of Q3 2010.

October 5, 2010

Toxic Level of Regulated Chemicals in 25% of China-made Plastic Toys According to QIMA Report

September 28, 2010

QIMA Q2 2010 Barometer: China Impervious to EU Turmoil

Figures released by the quality control industry in Asia are good indicators of the health of international trade. QIMA with over 11,000 inspections, audits, and laboratory tests performed during the second quarter of 2010 (+38% from Q2 2009), has identified some interesting...

August 15, 2010

QIMA Q1 2010 Barometer: Chinese Imports Lead Global Recovery

Inspection figures indicate nations are recovering from the recent global recession and buying from China with renewed confidence. Total inspections in Q1 2010 are up +34% from Q1 2009 and audits are up +61%; indicating that the demand for quality products among worldwide...

January 1, 2010

QIMA Q4 2009 Barometer: As Economy Improves, Social Conscience Returns

Figures released by the quality control industry in Asia are good indicators of the health of International Trade. Based on a few of these indicators, QIMA publishes this barometer on a quarterly basis. With over 9,500 inspections performed during the fourth quarter of 2009...

October 1, 2009

QIMA Q3 2009 Barometer: Chinese Exports Back in Fashion

The figures from the Quality Control industry in Asia account for a good indicator of the health of International Trade. Based on a few selected indicators, QIMA publishes this barometer on a quarterly basis. With over 9,000 Inspections performed during the 3rd Quarter of 2009...

July 1, 2009

QIMA Q2 2009 Barometer: Cheap but safe products, importers' new challenge

With 8,500 Inspections performed during the 2nd Quarter of 2009 (+ 26% vs. Q2 2008), QIMA pinpointed some illuminating trends. Markets and manufacturing might be down, but Product Inspections and Manufacturing Audits (MA) in Asia keep growing. QIMA continued to see interest from...

April 1, 2009

QIMA Q1 2009 Barometer: home equipment on the rise, electronic gadgets down

With 8,500 Inspections performed during the 2nd Quarter of 2009 (+ 26% vs. Q2 2008), QIMA pinpointed some illuminating trends. The figures from the Quality Control industry in Asia certainly account for a good indicator of the health of International Trade. With 8,000...

January 1, 2009

QIMA receives E-Business of the Year Award from Alibaba!

Early September, QIMA was extremely pleased to be rewarded for its successful online platform with the "E-Business of the Year" award from Alibaba.com, the leading online trade platform for global importers. Out of 1,200 initial candidates, QIMA was eventually...

July 1, 2008

Christine Lagarde presents the China SME award 2007 to QIMA

Christine Lagarde came to Shanghai to present the China SME award 2007 to Sébastien Breteau – CEO of QIMA

January 1, 2007