Article: Manufacturing in China

Since the late 1990s, global manufacturing activity began moving to low cost manufacturing areas in Asia, especially China. This included branded and contract manufacturing in electronics, plastics, machinery, consumer products, automotive pharmaceutical products and many more.

The business environment has matured from the early joint ventures with Chinese partners to wholly owned foreign enterprises setting foot in China. The demand for senior managers with China experience increased dramatically from initially expatriates to now local nationals who were groomed within Multi National Corporations established in China.

The initial trend of exporting products from China has taken a major turn recently. Many corporations have redirected their focus from exports to the fast growing China domestic markets. An insatiable demand for strong senior management within sales and business development is driving up the salary and compensation levels of local Chinese managers to the level of a manager working in the developed countries.

Geographically, the seasoned candidates are no longer in a congregated area but are now more widely spread all over China. This changes the landscape of recruitment. Leveraging on technology, recruitment can be managed irrespective of office locations. Quality is focus on our seasoned consultants, with industry experience, to shortlist the most appropriate candidates for our clients without traveling to different locations to physically met with the candidates. Candidates are nowadays mobile and can travel to met with their potential employers in designated locations within China. International travel may still be a challenge for Chinese candidates because of the limitations in obtaining travel visas.

So there remains no substitute for the need to strongly project manage a recruitment assignment using a trusted internationally orientated Search partner. IMSA consultants cooperate world wide to find the best recruitment solutions. Please visit our Case Studies section to see just a few examples.