Dealing with manufacturing facilities thousands of miles away in foreign countries may seem formidable. Issues of language, local customs, product quality assurance, inspections, import tariffs, shipping and delivery, and banking all exist, in addition to traditional manufacturing concerns. Frequently, suppliers in several countries need to be utilized to achieve maximum cost savings and product quality, adding further complexity to a project.
There is no substitute for experience and an on-site presence in assuring that foreign sourcing works efficiently. A current in-depth knowledge of the best available resources is imperative, yet finding qualified individuals and placing them in multiple locations is not always practical or cost-efficient.