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At IBMH, daily interactions with Chinese businesspeople have taught us about their culture and values. But if you are planning on starting a commercial relationship in the furniture and door hardware industry, you should know that business isn’t always done in an office. In fact, many business deals are sealed in restaurants. In order to be successful and close a deal with your local partners or providers, you need to understand the protocol you should follow at these business lunches or dinners in China. It is at these business meals that the Chinese manage the concept of mianzi or “face”; in other words, the level of reputation that a person has socially. What to do at a business meal with partners in the furniture and door hardware industry in China Where to sit? Facing these types of business lunches or dinners in China requires a good understanding of protocol, starting [...]

We live in an age where apartments keep getting smaller and smaller, and the cost per square meter keeps getting higher and higher. Because of this, the ability to optimize your space is essential in order to enjoy your home. Today, we introduce space-saver furniture hardware for fold-out beds. Undoubtedly, a trend that is on the rise in global markets. Fold-out beds for everyone   In order for the consumer, whatever their budget, to enjoy their fold-out bed, manufacturers offer different solutions. They create product ranges with variable prices, adjusting the details in each one. For example, by: • Increasing or decreasing the thickness of the back part, or not including this part • Using manual or automatically positioning legs • Creating lightweight or completely compact structures • Making fold-out beds that are more or less prone to wobbling • Pieces with restricted measurements or ones that adapt to any [...]

It wouldn’t be the first time, and it won’t be the last, that during our first meeting with a client, we realize that the features they are telling us about do not correspond to the hardware that they are showing us. Testing furniture hardware correctly and coming to this realization can be a very delicate moment. But at IBHM, we make a commitment to our clients and we stay true to it from the beginning. We have to look out for their interests, and so we have to speak frankly. Luckily, in most cases, from that moment on the customer relationship is strengthened, and we begin a chapter in which promotion plays the leading role. Unfortunately, and more often than you would think, the hardware that is marketed does not have the quality that you are paying for. Because of this, testing furniture hardware correctly is very important. You need [...]

Forget the stereotypes before negotiating in China with furniture hardware manufacturers   Despite the speed with which it is developing and taking over the market, China continues to be a mystery to many people. There are stereotypes about their culture and customs that Western businesspeople still lean on. On many occasions, this complicates professional relationships with furniture hardware manufacturers. One of the dangers of stereotypes is that they make us believe that we understand a given person/situation, when we are actually going off of incomplete or, occasionally, false assumptions. When thinking about negotiating in China with furniture hardware manufacturers, the first thing that comes to mind for many is: • Carefully observing business card protocol • Hiring a good translator And although it’s true that these are aspects that need to be taken into account, they only scratch the surface of the negotiation process in China. Understand the details of [...]

When we think of LinkedIn, most of us think of a personal brand image—a tool to establish fruitful professional relationships for our own careers. But it can also be very useful to make LinkedIn an ally in your furniture hardware business. For example, it can help you establish B2B (business to business) relationships: introduce your company, launch communications, generate traffic for your website, know what your competition is up to, and even attract talent. It is true that LinkedIn is not a cheap resource, so you need to use it wisely. And we aren’t just talking in terms of money (LinkedIn Premium, campaigns), but also in terms of time invested. As always, you’ll have to be very clear about your objectives in order to define your strategy and make LinkedIn an ally in your furniture hardware business. Perhaps to hire new talent? Or to establish relationships with other businesses? Or [...]

We’ll get straight to the point: are you thinking about importing products from China, but don’t plan on registering your furniture hardware brand in China? Hurry! Register it ASAP! You could be the victim of a terrible hack, and it could even happen today. Want to know why we are telling you this and how to fix it? Keep reading! Now that we’ve given you that warning, we’ll explain in detail why we are sounding the alarm like this. We are trying to protect you from: A legal, but unethical, trademark practice in China that is expanding very quickly. It consists of registering brands with the potential to manufacture in China (textiles, metallurgy, technology). Then, when the brand comes to China to do business, they are told that they can’t because their brand is registered to another business owner. What is the point of hacking trademark registrations in China?   [...]

10 colors to choose from in this PVC skirting board with wood finishes! Synthetic, resistant and extremely high quality to adapt to the latest kitchen design trends. If you follow our blog, you’ll recall that we have suggested organizing your catalog of furniture hardware and accessories in your business. In fact, it is an essential step in having a profitable business. We are sure that if you apply the principle of “less is more”, you will be able to improve your overall results. So, if skirting board, plinth panels or cabinet washboards are a product you will keep in your inventory, we offer you the option to expand your variety with these fantastic wood finishes. Features of PVC skirting board panels with wood finish: Manufactured in different heights to adapt completely to different measurements. Highly durable PVC. Rubber bottom. To ensure a watertight seal with the floor, preventing water and [...]

At this point, everyone knows that it is essential for any business to be on the Internet. But something that not everyone knows is what that “looks like”. In order for your efforts and investment to pay off in the digital world, your furniture hardware business website must be well thought out and programmed. At IBMH, we have a unique understanding of: • The furniture and construction hardware industry • Imports from China • Digital marketing For this reason, we thought that you might find our tips useful. If you want it to, your furniture hardware business website will contribute to the success of your company. Keep reading! Essential features for your furniture hardware business website The first thing you need to consider for your furniture hardware business website is usability. Usability means that users can browse through a site easily and intuitively, and that the information there is convenient and attractive to [...]

Understanding concepts like mianzi and gei mianzi is essential for doing business in China successfully. If you work with companies from this country, as we do, then you already know how important it is to know their customs and other cultural aspects that influence their social relationships, as well as business communication. Mianzi, which literally translates to “face”, is defined as the level of reputation that a person has socially. It is prestige, the respect that others have for them socially, and it is something that can be gained and lost. For Chinese society, a person who is not respected is a person without power, and, in some cases, even a person without dignity. For example, being cautious in conversation whenever other people are present will help you maintain your mianzi. Consequently, maintaining and not “losing mianzi” through your behavior in interactions with your Chinese business partners will help you [...]

This past year, we have realized that there has been an increase in manufacturing of furniture hardware in China with integrated soft-closing, resulting in a novel, game-changing product that is being very well received in the industry. Metal box with soft-closing Occasionally, we have talked about the Metal Box (also known as the Metal Side Panels, Metal Drawer, Drawer Side Panel or Metabox). If you remember, the Metal Box had 3 unique features that, when combined, make it an unbeatable hardware item: • Different body widths • Variety of profile lengths • Range of heights • Countless finishes The Metal Box is suitable for any living area, office or commercial space. And now that we have added built-in soft-closing on top of its original features, its value is unquestionable.   Epoxy Runners with soft-closing On the other hand, within the manufacturing of furniture hardware in China with integrated soft-closing, are [...]