A China sourcing agent for US companies, with a contract you can enforce
For US hardware startups and established brands making products in China. You already know China can build it well. What you can't see from the US is who is actually making it, or what happens if a batch arrives wrong. We contract with you through legal entities in the US, Sweden and China, so one accountable partner owns the result from drawing review to delivery.
The real question is who is making it
A supplier that looks good online may be a trading company passing your order to a factory you've never seen. We find out who really makes your product before you commit.
- 01
Confirm the real manufacturer
We check that you're dealing with the factory itself, not a middleman, so you know whose line your product runs on.
- 02
Audit the factory in person
We check staff size, machines, working conditions, worker safety, social responsibility, process control and management structure.
- 03
Protect your design
We sign an NDA on every project before any drawings go to a factory.
One person in Seattle. A team on the factory floor.
Language is the easy part. The hard part is that a US spec sheet and a factory owner often have different ideas about what matters. Our team explains what you need in terms the factory acts on. They push back when a quote doesn't add up and tell you when a tolerance or material will cause trouble.
Karla, your US contact
Karla is based in Seattle and is your point of contact for US projects. She works directly with our Ningbo team and keeps you updated from factory selection until the goods reach your door or your Amazon fulfilment centre.
Delivery managers in Ningbo
Our bilingual delivery managers visit your factories in person. When a problem comes up, they fix it on the factory floor, before anything ships.
Built by specialists in China. Shipped to you.
1M+ products shippedIn Asia since 2006Offices in Stockholm, Ningbo and Seattle
We check quality during production, not after the goods land
If you only find defects after a container lands in the US, you're paying for returns, rework and lost customers. We look for problems at every stage, while they can still be fixed at the factory.
Each stage ends in a clear decision to go ahead or stop. You never commit to the next step without knowing where you stand.
Drawing review
we check your design is ready for production before tooling money is spent.
Sample approval
we check samples against your critical dimensions and specifications.
In-process inspection
we check parts and assembly during the production run.
Final inspection
we do one last check before shipping. Every inspection is documented and shared with you.
The more suppliers your product needs, the more we're worth
148 components, 72 suppliers, 6 countries. We built a full assembly line from scratch and delivered on time, with one point of contact. Prototype to 5,000 units shipped: 200+ components across 18 suppliers, assembly line set up, QC and logistics managed. Pilates reformer line: frames, machined rails, springs, wheels and upholstery sourced, jig-based assembly with in-process QC, shipped worldwide.
- 01
China, Vietnam, or both
Tariffs can change in any country. We manufacture in China and Vietnam and can split production between them depending on your product, margin and timeline, so you're not relying on one country.
- 02
When you don't need us
If you're buying a single simple part, a sourcing agent adds cost without adding value, and we'll say so. We're most useful when many suppliers, processes and an assembly line have to work together.
What US companies ask before trusting us with production
With Sourcing Allies, you sign with a registered legal entity, not an anonymous overseas middleman. We contract through our companies in the US, Sweden and China, and we sign an NDA on every project. If something goes wrong, you have a named, accountable partner and real legal recourse. You also have Karla in Seattle and our delivery managers in Ningbo, who know your project.
Alibaba gives you a list of suppliers. We manage the whole relationship. We confirm you're dealing with the real manufacturer, audit the factory in person and review your drawings for manufacturability. We also run in-process and final inspections and handle logistics. Our bilingual team in Ningbo visits the factories, so problems get solved before goods ship.
Sourcing Allies doesn't charge an upfront retainer or hourly fees. Our fee is built into the unit price you're quoted, so we only earn money when your product ships, and we keep earning only if it keeps selling. Costs depend on your components, processes and volume. After a first meeting, we can give you a realistic quote covering parts, assembly, packaging and shipping.
Yes. Sourcing Allies has a US office in Bellevue, Washington, and US projects are coordinated by Karla in Seattle. We are Swedish-owned, founded in 2006, and run manufacturing and sourcing operations in China and Vietnam from our office in Ningbo. You get a US contact and a US contracting entity, backed by a team working in the factories.
Both. We help funded and crowdfunded hardware startups turn a working prototype into a product that can be built at volume. We've shipped Kickstarter and Indiegogo projects on time and run a Fast-Track programme for tight launches. We also help established US brands scale, fix or move existing production. What they have in common is complexity: many parts, many suppliers, and assembly.
Not always. Sometimes the factory is capable and the problem is how your requirements are specified, checked or followed up. We'll look at what is actually going wrong before recommending a move. If a change does make sense, we plan it so your deliveries don't stop and it's clear who owns the tooling.
Find out who would build your product, and on what terms
Bring your drawings, your prototype or your current supplier problem. In one meeting we'll look at your product, volume and timeline and tell you honestly whether we're the right partner.
A drawing, a sketch or a paragraph is enough to start.