The phrase “You can’t sell what you don’t have” couldn’t be more relevant as we head into peak season. For brands that rely on product-based revenue, being out of stock during high-demand windows is more than frustrating—it’s costly. In a recent session, Stephen explored the biggest risks brands face when preparing for Q4 and how to build a smarter, more resilient supply chain strategy.
In this blog, we break down the highlights of that conversation: from when to place your purchase orders to choosing manufacturing partners beyond China. If you missed the webinar, you can below.
Why Waiting to Place Your PO Can Be Risky
Delaying your purchase order may seem like a smart move if you’re waiting on more sales data or trying to conserve cash, but here are the tradeoffs:
Pros of Waiting:
- Better forecast accuracy based on real-time sales trends
- Improved cash flow flexibility
- Lower risk of overstocking or carrying dead inventory
Cons of Waiting:
- Longer lead times and backed-up factory schedules
- Higher freight rates (especially if you resort to air shipping)
- Supplier capacity limitations
- Missed delivery windows = missed revenue opportunities
At Sourcify, we help brands model these scenarios so they can make data-driven decisions instead of guesses.
FOB Price vs. Landed Cost: What Actually Matters
Too often, brands focus on finding the lowest FOB (freight on board) price from suppliers. But the real number that matters is landed cost: the total expense to get a product from the factory to your warehouse, including:
- Tariffs (like Section 301 duties)
- Freight (LCL/FTL, air, ocean)
- Customs fees and port charges
- Insurance and logistics overhead
Stephen shared that many brands are surprised to learn that a slightly more expensive FOB quote from a country like Mexico or Morocco can actually result in a lower landed cost than sourcing from China.
Sourcify provides side-by-side landed cost comparisons so you can see the full picture before placing a PO.
Should You Do Your Mold in the U.S. or Overseas?
Tooling is one of the most expensive and important decisions in product development. During the session, a question came up about whether to create molds in the U.S. or overseas.
Here’s what to consider:
Molding in China or Asia:
- Often faster and more cost-effective
- Many vertical suppliers include mold-making in-house
Molding in the U.S.:
- Better IP protection and quality assurance
- May require additional coordination with separate manufacturing partners
Sourcify helps brands walk through both options, evaluating cost, lead time, and scalability—especially for custom or regulated products.
Where to Manufacture Outside of China in 2025
Diversifying beyond China isn’t just a trend—it’s becoming a necessity. With ongoing tariff uncertainty and rising geopolitical tension, brands are looking at alternative sourcing regions.
Stephen recommends starting with Free Trade Agreement (FTA) countries:
- Mexico
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- South Korea
- Dominican Republic
FTA countries can dramatically reduce or eliminate duties, helping improve landed cost and mitigate tariff risk. Plus, proximity to the U.S. (especially for Mexico) often means faster turnaround and lower shipping costs.
In addition, Vietnam and India are becoming manufacturing powerhouses for certain categories, from textiles to electronics to home goods.
The key? Knowing your product’s category, compliance needs, and the capacity available in each region.
How Sourcify Helps Brands Plan Smarter
Whether you’re launching a new SKU or moving away from your current supplier, the sourcing process is complex. Sourcify helps brands by:
- Vetting pre-qualified suppliers across key regions
- Comparing landed costs by country and HTS code
- Supporting mold development, sampling, and freight
- Managing supplier communication and quality control
We become your extended sourcing team—saving you time, protecting your margins, and helping you grow.
Conclusion
Peak season doesn’t wait—and the brands that plan early, optimize costs, and diversify their supply chain are the ones that win.
If you’re weighing your options on where to manufacture or when to place your next PO, let’s talk.
Sourcify can run a custom landed cost analysis and introduce you to pre-vetted suppliers that fit your business model.
📍 Ready to source smarter? Contact Sourcify today.
