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Before we can talk about quality in hardware management in China, we need to start from the beginning. Originally, quality was simply the innate characteristics of an object that allowed it to be compared with another. That concept has become more sophisticated and even professionalized. Now, quality is perceived in both products and services. It is “created”, “conceived” and “maintained” under strict authority. How can we define “quality”? For better or worse, the word “quality” is linked to the expectations we have associated with a particular product or service. These expectations originate from: • Our own previous experiences • Other people’s experiences • Advertising, literature, film… • Each person’s own personality These expectations are not always met, since it will depend on how realistic and accessible they are. Because of this, it is very important to have impartial bodies which use generalized guidelines to assess and evaluate the quality of products [...]

In the world of furniture hardware, as in many others, growing competition is making it increasingly difficult to stand out from the crowd. Even if you’re good. To make yourself heard, you need a balanced combination of investment in marketing and what the experts call earned content—in other words, content that is published with no financial agreement in the middle. Within this earned content is what is traditionally known as “public relations” or “media relations”, which contribute to the prestige of your brand. However, despite the importance of good coverage in the media, many people falter when it comes to designing their public relations strategies. A distributor of furniture hardware shouldn’t follow the same plan as, say, a university or a soft drink brand. Each of them has its unique characteristics, and must know how to communicate them appropriately. At IBMH, we’d like to offer some tips to establish a [...]

China is a nation of contrasts. We can’t ignore the centuries-old traditions that shape the country, while also recognizing that it has become a global superpower: • With an economy in full expansion. • With a large volume of foreign investments. Because of this, as leaders in our industry who are familiar with the real, authentic China, we invite you to reflect: When you started your business, were you expecting to import  furniture hardware from a high-tech, competitive China like the one you have come to know? At IBMH, we have spent years working with Chinese companies, and we have witnessed the impressive transformation of its cities, its factories, its processes and its population. That’s why we wanted to take this occasion to debunk some of the most common myths about China, which paint a very different picture from its real situation. This Asian giant offers a huge range of [...]

Recently, we talked about the importance of organizing your product selection to determine if the scope of your catalog is profitable or not. On this occasion, we would like you to keep this concept in mind, because we are going to introduce a very attractive product, and you should take this into account before making a decision. It won’t be an easy one. We know that, eventually, you will want to expand your hardware selection with the premium hinge. In any business specializing in the distribution of hardware for furniture, it is essential to have a complete, curated selection of hinges in order to cover the needs of your market. We have a few good reasons why you might want to expand your hardware selection with the premium hinge. 6 reasons to expand your hardware selection with the premium hinge   Soft-close It has a buffering mechanism which, apart from [...]

To a certain extent, negotiating is a daily part of almost everyone’s job. You don’t have to work exclusively in that field or manage business operations worth several millions of euros in order to have to face all sorts of negotiations. But at IBMH, one thing is clear: to know how to use creativity when negotiating with Chinese furniture & construction hardware suppliers is part of our success. We share our vision to offer you more profitable solutions, ones that go beyond “I win, you lose” or “we both win, but both lose something”. Why can’t we all win? Many researchers point to a third route when looking for solutions in a negotiation, much more ambitious but also with better results: the creative route, in other words, thinking beyond the obvious solutions. Gregorio Billikopf of the University of California, Davis, explains why it is important to look beyond the first solution [...]