Can TL work with a supplier I have already found?
You can bring an existing supplier relationship and engage TL for the stages that need local support.
The short answer
Yes. You do not need to restart supplier sourcing to work with TL. If you have found a supplier through Alibaba, a trade show, a referral or an existing contact, we can discuss support around the tasks that still need to be carried out.
Start with the current position
Share the supplier’s details, product information, quotations and any samples or drawings already exchanged. Tell us what has been agreed and where you need help. An enquiry that is still at quotation stage needs a different approach from production that is already underway.
If there is an existing order, clarify its status, commercial terms and outstanding approvals. Introducing another coordination team should not create uncertainty about who can change the specification or approve production.
Choose the support you need
- Supplier communication and follow-up
- Clarifying drawings, materials and product specifications
- Coordinating samples and recording approvals
- Production progress checks and agreed inspections
- Packing information, consolidation and freight coordination
Review the supplier and the working arrangements
Having a contact or quotation is useful, but the supplier’s capability still needs to match your requirement. The project may call for a factory discussion, sample review or clarification of production responsibilities before proceeding.
TL’s involvement also depends on practical access to the information, people and facilities needed for the agreed work. A supplier should understand the role of our Shanghai team and how decisions will be recorded.
How TL supports this
We can act as local coordination support while you retain the supplier relationship and remain involved in discussions. The scope may be targeted rather than a complete sourcing service. If a particular requirement cannot be met by the selected supplier, we discuss the issue and possible next steps with you.
Have a sourcing requirement in mind?
Tell us what you need, from an individual product to a multi-category project.