Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 3 

What qualities you need to be looking out for in an Emergency Light Conversion Kit ............................... 4 

Batteries .................................................................................................................................................... 5 

LED Emergency Lightings ........................................................................................................................ 5 

Control system .......................................................................................................................................... 5 

Certification .............................................................................................................................................. 6 

How to Source the Right Supplier ................................................................................................................. 6 

1.  Internet Search .................................................................................................................................. 7 

Additional information .......................................................................................................................... 8 

2. Social Media ......................................................................................................................................... 8 

3. Hire a sourcing service provider .......................................................................................................... 9 

4. Commission-based Sourcing Agent ...................................................................................................... 9 

5. Trade Shows .......................................................................................................................................... 9 

Quality Control systems for the distant supply chains ................................................................................ 10 

Audit the factory or operational sectors of your supplier ................................................................... 10 

Assess financial risks .......................................................................................................................... 11 

Tests and measurement of product quality and durability .................................................................. 11 

Inspection of products ......................................................................................................................... 11 

1. Inspection of first-article ..................................................................................................................... 11 

2. Inspection of products in the middle of production ............................................................................ 12 

3. Inspection before shipping .................................................................................................................. 12 

4. Inspection of random samples of manufactured products .................................................................. 12 

Other Things you Need to Consider ........................................................................................................... 14 

MOQ ....................................................................................................................................................... 14 

Why do Chinese manufactures have high MOQs? ............................................................................. 14 

How can you avoid high MOQs? ......................................................................................................... 15 

Professional technical support and services ................................................................................................ 15 

 

Introduction

Not everything is fair and just in this world we live in. And sometimes society tends to devalue or overlook the things that are of paramount importance. And I guess it’s fair to say that such had been the fate of emergency lightings.

These utilities can basically be considered as your knight in shining armor when crisis looms and you are in that desperate need of immediate evacuation. But for so long a time, they haven’t had the recognition they deserved. Today though, things have shifted for the better. As a matter of fact, they are dominating the market as we speak.

In many countries emergency lightings have become mandatory for public buildings to install. So to comply with national regulations and for the sake of public safety, a lot of companies are investing in these equipments. And China happens to be one of the most sought-after suppliers of emergency lighting kits.

But China is still a developing country and sourcing goods from this nation without guidance and coordination can become rather problematic. If, for instance, you decide to import non-compliant products from China, then your cargo might be refused entry upon arrival on port, or you might end up facing a fine of up to U.S. $15 million. And this is just part of the issues that await your pursuit.

So if you’re a retailer or someone trying to equip your building with emergency lightings and chose to seek out your supplier from China, then you surely are reading the right book.

The contents of this eBook are outlined to guide and help you understand the market place in China. It deals with the various avenues in sourcing the right supplier; realizing the various systems in examining the quality of the product before it leaves the factory; and understanding the professional technical support and services companies provide.

What qualities you need to be looking out for in an Emergency Light Conversion Kit

The occurrence of power failure is not an oddity, but when it does happen in public buildings such as a theatre, Hotel, retail stores, or restaurants, evacuation can most certainly become a challenge, destructive even. But with the guidance of emergency lightings, such circumstances are on most occasions well contained. And that happens to be why this indispensable equipment is gaining global recognition at this point. In some countries, it’s even mandatory for buildings to install emergency lightings.

Most companies, however, happen to have made the grave mistake of giving more notice to price than quality. And purchasing emergency lightings that are of inferior quality is basically a nightmare. Low quality emergency lightings are prone to system failure. If, for instance, the battery and the charger are of poor quality, the device would be unable to provide sufficient illumination for the escape routes, and the lamps might collapse.

And system failure in emergency lightings might lead to incredibly devastating casualties, such as death, personal injury, property damage and so forth.

So if you’re going to invest in these incredibly valuable equipments, then it would be best for you to feast your eyes on quality rather than price.

Batteries The performance of emergency lightings heavily depends on the quality of its batteries. With the presence of the mains voltage, the LEDs are managed by the standard control gear in the power supply network; during power failure however, the LEDs are activated by the components of the emergency lighting and operated by the battery.

As a result of high temperatures and frequent charging, the battery’s lifecycle is already prone to shorten. So it’s best to opt for first-class batteries, that have high-temperature cells, NiCd for optimal efficiency, NiMH for optimal energy density and extremely small dimensions, and have a range of configurations for any application.

LED Emergency Lightings For escape sign, escape route and anti-panic luminaries, LEDs are simply perfect. But there is a wide range of LED modules available out in the market, so there might be a challenge in selecting one with superior quality.

The LEDs come in different size and shape, and they are designed to suit the use of different applications such as the escape sign, escape route, the high risk task area lighting and the anti-panic lighting. In any case, it’s best to examine its system efficiency and cable entries. And make sure it has several mounting options and that they can function in both maintained and non-maintained modes (Combined unit for mains voltage and emergency lighting).

Control system The other element in emergency lightings that has to be of superior quality is the control system. The design of this control system has to be simple and easy to operate.

The Control System is ideal for integrating into existing control gear. It is equipped with driver, inverter and high temperature battery pack. Supplied with a fused terminal block and pre-cut connection wires, the modules can be tuned specifically to the lamp.

With a constant feed the batteries charge in 24 hours. So, if the main power is disrupted, the batteries kick in with light flicking in just 0.1 second.

The Emergency Light Kit can be configured with different back-up period and different light output levels.

The control systems can even generate test logs.

Evaluating the quality of the various components of the emergency lightings conversion kits you purchase might be a tough challenge, so one way to approach this matter is by consulting quality control professionals.

Certification Another way of determining the quality of emergency light kits is by making sure they have passed the 

international standards and are certified. Such are the certifications you should be looking for; BS for 

British Standards, BS ES for British and European Standard, CE for Europe, UL for the U.S., and SAA for 

Australia.  

How to Source the Right Supplier 

Now that we have understood how to discern quality emergency light kits, let's move on to how we could source the best suppliers in China.

Obtaining quality emergency light conversion kits depends on you coming across the right supplier.

Top-notch emergency conversion kits are found under the most reliable, professional, and verified suppliers in the Chinese market. Thus, to seek a perfect supplier, while burdened with a very hectic schedule, is obviously a struggle. To avoid just that, however, below are 5 beneficial ways to connect with the right supplier in China.

1. Internet Search  

Technology has given us the easiest and most cost-effective way of searching anything we want in this world, and, ironically, the search engines happen to be one of the best means to finding suppliers in China.

Via Google, Bing, or Yahoo and other B2B sourcing websites such as Alibaba, made-in-china.com, or Global Sources, you are able to find thousands of suppliers that are listed on these sites. You can distinguish legitimate sources by filtering search results for only those entries who are "verified suppliers," "gold members," "accredited suppliers," or "onsite suppliers." Furthermore, if there are favorable reviews, it designates that the supplier is legitimate.

It's important, nevertheless, to be mindful about some of the verified suppliers on these sites, as they might just be verified to exist on the site, but their production qualification, quality, or reputation might be unconfirmed. Moreover, while these websites contain vast directories of "suppliers," some are wholesalers or traders; therefore, it is not probable that you will get the best price from them.

Additional information

Global Source comprises of China Sourcing Reports (CSRs) that have detailed information on industries in China. In the CSR, you will come across competent suppliers with their verified contact information, pricing, market information, etc.

2. Social Media

Even though Social Medias are not the ideal avenues for discerning qualified suppliers, they are still a good place to keep up with reviews and feedbacks. But, it is also crucial to be cautious when depending on such platforms, for the information and reviews posted there could be misleading or anecdotal.

Here are some forums that will serve you as guidelines:

Alibaba forum

Smart China Sourcing at Global Sources

China Sourcing Blog

China Sourcing

China Sourcing Forum

3. Hire a sourcing service provider

If you are seeking help in this matter, then hiring a sourcing service provider is the best choice. These establishments will alleviate all the stress and struggles you will encounter throughout your journey. They will significantly assist you with various services: quality control management, supplier’s identification, supply management, price negotiation, and many other things.

The only downside to this method is that it will cost you more than a commission-based sourcing agent. But, regarding the hassles of identifying and verifying suppliers, production inspection, and product quality control, employing a service provider for this specific purpose could be beneficial.

4. Commission-based Sourcing Agent  

Contacting commission-based sourcing agents is also another mechanism to obtaining the right supplier for emergency light conversion kits.

These agents will help in identifying and verifying Suppliers. Furthermore, they will facilitate a comfortable and reliable form of communication for you.

5. Trade Shows By attending trade shows, you will be able to discover legitimate suppliers. These kinds of venues will allow you to interact and converse with potential emergency light conversion kit suppliers. You can learn more about their company, products, quality-control procedures, and much more.

There are two vast trade shows conducted in China: The Canton Fair and East China Fair.

The former one, being held twice a year, is the largest fair in China. Located in Guangzhou, the Canton Fair allures thousands of people with a glut of products.

The latter is held once a year in Shanghai. The East China Fair is the biggest regional trade fair on China.

Quality Control systems for the distant supply chains  

You can never take too many precautions when it comes to investing thousands— perhaps millions— in a transnational destination unknown to you. How can you be sure that your supplier can provide high-quality emergency light conversion kits? Are the products efficient and durable? Does your potential supplier comply with international standards? What is the manufacturing process or quality control system like?

So many unanswered questions and throbbing doubts might beset you. But rest assured; there are numerous solutions.

If you are an investor who has set aside enough budget to travel to the supplier’s location in China, then half your worries are taken care of. However, are you qualified to make professional analysis of the products you wish to export from the nation? Are you aware of the customs and regulations involved in the auditing process?

It’s highly probable, that most business men and women are not familiar with all these proceedings. This is why international and China-based institutions and agents that are solely established for auditing purposes exist. From Pro QC International to DataDot Technology Limited, there are many alternatives you can select from; nevertheless, you will have to be painstakingly cautious about your selection as some unreliable agencies may work in collusion with the companies in China. A lot of online or formal research must be done to verify their authenticity.

These institutions, equipped with certified engineers and laboratories, will conduct a thorough research of your supplier and deliver well-detailed surveys. The established organizations will provide documentation of the audits supported by photographs which will help paint a vivid picture of your supplier and dispel all concerns.

The organizations base their evaluation on the standards of the ISO9001-2000, TS16949, SA8000 and many other authoritative standards.

These audits can be ordered according to your requirements and your budget. They are affordable and— considering the risks entailed in the transaction—very important.

Among the many services they provide, here are a few of them:

Audit the factory or operational sectors of your supplier Upon your request, qualified engineers go over to the operational areas of your suppliers to survey every aspect of production.

They evaluate all procedures of manufacturing: Assessment of their management practices, their quality control measures and methods, the possible usage of non-conforming materials and much besides.

Assess financial risks The last thing you want is to lose money during the transaction, but the process is rife with complications. Financial loss can emanate from sample products, quality failures, late delivery and so much more. So what these organizations will do for you is survey all the potential risks involved and rate them as Low Risk, Medium Risk, High Risk or Very High Risk.

Tests and measurement of product quality and durability Most of these establishments have labs where they could test the quality of every component of the emergency light conversion kits. The tests are conducted by professionals and so the results will give you an accurate account of the authenticity and durability of the product.

Inspection of products This is also another avenue that could save you a fortune. This step by step procedure will avert unwanted expenditure spent on reengineering work of defective products or delayed delivery.

There are four steps to the inspection:

1. Inspection of first-article Before proceeding to mass production, the organization evaluates the first article. If they meet your required standards, production will proceed. If they don’t, however, corrective measures will be taken and spare you the reengineering work that would come after the products are manufactured en mass.

2. Inspection of products in the middle of production During the production process the auditors will visit the venue and examine if manufacturing is in compliance with the standards you ordered.

3. Inspection before shipping Before the emergency light conversion kits are shipped, on-site inspections are undertaken to examine if the finished products and their packaging is of superior quality.

4. Inspection of random samples of manufactured products On your behalf, auditors would approach the factory, pick a few random products from the finished supplies, and ship them to you or any other lab you believe would conduct reliable assessments of the samples.

Another way of asserting if your supplier meets international and local standards is making great use of the following authoritative links:

National Standards Institute http://www.nssn.org/

American National Standards Institute http://www.ansi.org

Standards Council of Canada http://www.scc.ca/en

International Organization for Standardization

http://www.iso.org

ASTM International http://www.astm.org

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

http://www.ieee.org

Hong Kong Trade Development Council http://www.tdctrade.com

China Council for the Development of International Trade

http://english.ccpit.org

China Today http://www.chinatoday.com

Global Business Information Services, Inc.

http://www.glo-bis.com/

European Portal http://www.europeanunion.com

U.S. Customs Service http://www.cbp.gov/

United States Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov/

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

http://www.cpsc.gov

International Trade Commission http://www.usitc.gov/

Other Things you Need to Consider

MOQ  

MOQ is an acronym for Minimum Order Quantity. It basically means the minimum quantity of products that a Chinese supplier is willing to sell.

Most buyers are somewhat perturbed by the most common question any supplier asks: how many products do you want? Now, from a supplier’s point of view, it’s a fair question, but from yours, a lot of

factors play into the equation. Are the emergency light conversion kits of superior quality? If you are a retailer, will the products fly off the shelves or become a grave mistake? These and so many other questions arise in the matter of MOQs.

Why do Chinese manufactures have high MOQs? 

The profit margins in China are pretty low, often as low as 2-3%. So manufacturers need to compensate for that through volume productions.

What Is often misunderstood is that Chinese suppliers have warehouses where they have quality products ready for shipment. That’s an incorrect assumption. Storages in China are not free and maintaining a large stock would lead to the increase of prices. Therefore, most Chinese suppliers’ don’t purchase materials and components until orders are made. They need mass orders, at least 10,000, to jumpstart production.

How can you avoid high MOQs? 

As a smart business man you’ll have to order a few samples, mainly for two reasons: to assess their quality and test the market. You’ll need to place a few orders, say 10. In this case, you will need to contact a wholesaler not a factory.

However, if you’re going for big orders, then search for suppliers offering the lowest MOQs.

Another way to lower MOQs is to reuse colors, materials and components on many products. This will curtail the number of subcontractors the manufacturer will require and thus lower the MOQ.

Professional technical support and services  

Professional emergency lightning enterprises give unflinching technical advises and services to their customers. As a buyer, you would want to rest your confidence in these suppliers, want to obtain quality products, get intensive services, and support from them— that is exactly what firms such as Sanforce Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd provides.  

Located in China, Shenzhen, the company has over 15 years of experience in terms of manufacturing top-quality rechargeable NiCD/NiMH battery, and over 7 years of experience in supplying excellent emergency light power. Furthermore, all of Sanforce’s productions have passed CE, EMC & Rohs 

certification. The firm is dedicated to bestowing satisfactory services to customers not only in China, but also abroad.  

Sanforce Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd supplies efficient and safe emergency lightning conversion kits. The enterprise asserts that it works diligently to fulfill customers’ demands, and facilitate high-quality products tailored to the Chinese and overseas markets.

The company has gained trust and appraisal from local and international customers for its safe, reliable, efficient, easy to install, high brightness, energy saving products.

Working under the principles of offering the finest services and providing top-notch products, Sanforce also provides emergency light conversion kits that are of reasonable price to customers at home and abroad.