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The Home Depot will be opening two sourcing offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen. The company has said it intends to grow its imports to some ten per cent of the sales in its stores
The announcement was made by Duane Goodwin, vice president, Global Sourcing, at the China International Hardware Show 2002. “With offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen, we will greatly enhance our opportunities to purchase more goods directly from manufacturers," said Goodwin. "We need access to innovative products with the outstanding quality and affordable prices that our customers have come to demand and expect from us," said Goodwin. "The offices in China will allow us to rapidly expand our purchasing throughout China and Asia."
The company has hired Chinese associates with experience in product development, quality assurance, manufacturing assessment and knowledge of manufacturers to assist with the effort. By adding sourcing offices, the company is closer to its vendors accelerating the benefits of a direct relationship.
"It's a win-win situation," said Goodwin. "We increase our quality suppliers and they grow their business by meeting our product and quality control requirements."
Home Depot imports products from around the world. However, today, China is the largest source of these imported products which include lighting fixtures, fans, flooring, bath accessories, faucets, hardware and tools.
"We have the advantage of over ten years of China experience as we open these offices," said Goodwin. "Several of our proprietary brands, such as Ryobi, Hampton Bay, and Glacier Bay are already made in China. The success of these brands has been based on direct factory relationships and partnerships. We will dramatically grow our base of suppliers throughout Asia."
The Home Depot currently imports products from some 40 countries. The company has said it intends to grow its imports to some ten per cent of the sales in its stores. Presently, these products are housed in seven huge import distribution centers (IDC), around the United States ranging between 70,000 m² to 130,000 m². Plans are already in place to build additional import distribution centers to accommodate the growth of direct imports.
The company has hired Chinese associates with experience in product development, quality assurance, manufacturing assessment and knowledge of manufacturers to assist with the effort. By adding sourcing offices, the company is closer to its vendors accelerating the benefits of a direct relationship.
"It's a win-win situation," said Goodwin. "We increase our quality suppliers and they grow their business by meeting our product and quality control requirements."
Home Depot imports products from around the world. However, today, China is the largest source of these imported products which include lighting fixtures, fans, flooring, bath accessories, faucets, hardware and tools.
"We have the advantage of over ten years of China experience as we open these offices," said Goodwin. "Several of our proprietary brands, such as Ryobi, Hampton Bay, and Glacier Bay are already made in China. The success of these brands has been based on direct factory relationships and partnerships. We will dramatically grow our base of suppliers throughout Asia."
The Home Depot currently imports products from some 40 countries. The company has said it intends to grow its imports to some ten per cent of the sales in its stores. Presently, these products are housed in seven huge import distribution centers (IDC), around the United States ranging between 70,000 m² to 130,000 m². Plans are already in place to build additional import distribution centers to accommodate the growth of direct imports.
