Contacting Leadgate gives us the chance to tell you how outsourcing can reduce your production costs and substantially reduce start-up investment. Leadgate has the expertise to assist you in successfully realising your outsourcing project.
When considering outsourcing your product to an Asian manufacturer, it is important that you find a reliable and independent representative to look after your interests.
Leadgate will act as your local agent and quality control representative, ensuring all aspects of the supply chain run smoothly, with problem-free production.
Add to this Leadgate's experience as a company familiar with Western sensibilities, with a proven track-record of success in China, and you have a formula for ensuring your product meets your customers' expectations, in terms of both product design and construction quality.
We are proud of our track record for delivering quality product on schedule.
Don't hesitate to call us or browse the main site below to find more about how Leadgate can help you in China.
Established in 1979, Leadgate Industries, with over 25 years of international trading experience, is your preferred partner for a China venture.
Leadgate's policy of working one-to-one with our clients has been a major factor in establishing a reputation for reliability and quality, forged over many years in the outsourcing business.
Working with Leadgate allows you to rest easy - confident that you have a trusted representative working for you.
Email us to discuss your project further, call us direct, or follow the links on the left for more details.
Whether you are an entrepreneur with a new product idea, or a manufacturer with an established line, Leadgate's experience in Asian trading can help limit the risks associated with starting an offshore manufacturing enterprise in China.
As more and more Western companies consider offshore manufacturing as a way of increasing their competitiveness, most are looking to add a China dimension to their business strategy. This is where Leadgate's more personal approach gives Western companies what they really need for a successful Asian enterprise.
Offshore manufacturing in China has already proven to be a successful strategy for many companies looking to dominate their domestic market. Leadgate has the contacts, knowledge and experience to help you gain a foothold in China.
Leadgate's policy of developing a personal relationship with our clients has been a major factor in establishing our record of reliability and quality over 25 years of working in Asia.
Our promise to you is that you have a trusted representative working actively for your company's interests. It's so easy to call or email Leadgate to discuss your project. Why not today?
Leadgate's staff of professionals works diligently to monitor and manage your project so that needed information is always on hand and enquiries are immediately followed up. All Leadgate's Hong Kong-Chinese staff-members are English speakers.
Our staff's knowledge of the Asian cut-and-sew business and its peripheral industries is the key to Leadgate's ability to ensure you develop a world-beating product.
Contacting Leadgate gives us the chance to tell you how outsourcing can reduce your production costs and substantially reduce start-up investment. Leadgate has the expertise to assist you in successfully realising your outsourcing project.
When considering outsourcing your product to an Asian manufacturer, it is important that you find a reliable and independent representative to look after your interests.
Leadgate will act as your local agent and quality control representative, ensuring all aspects of the supply chain run smoothly, with problem-free production.
This leaves you free to concentrate on the important business of dealing with your domestic market.
Add to this Leadgate's experience as a company familiar with Western sensibilities, with a proven track-record of success in China, and you have a formula for ensuring your product meets your customers' expectations, in terms of both product design and construction quality.
We are proud of our track record for delivering quality product on schedule.
Leadgate welcomes any enquiry, but before you contact us we recommend that you spend some time considering the following issues for discussion:
Leadgate believes it is important that you have a carefully considered target budget before embarking on outsourcing research. It is important and helpful to all that the prices we source for you compare favourably with your own expected budget.
At Leadgate we believe a key factor for success is to have a clear idea as to both the minimum and maximum quantities that will be needed to ensure a successful outcome. Many outsourcing ventures fail due to unrealistic expectations relating to product quantities and production times. It is important in deciding the quantity of product you wish to have manufactured that you have correctly determined the demands of your market and that you have a contingency for any changes in market conditions.
At Leadgate we understand that clear and direct communication is the cornerstone in forging agreement over the needs and obligations of both the client and the manufacturer. To achieve this, we believe that direct and personal contact with our clients is key to reinforcing the confidence you need before committing to the project. Legal contracts are important but we find that direct personal communication in the early stages of a project can substantially eliminate any misunderstandings further down the road.
Every project has its own unique parameters and it is essential that these are fully understood by both parties. We find that talking directly with our clients is the fastest way to identify these parameters to ensure a smooth operation.
Our policy of working one-to-one with our clients has been a major factor in our - and their - success. Our clients find this personal relationship helps them know they have a trusted representative working on their behalf.
Some issues of further interest when considering outsourcing through Leadgate are:
Using an offshore source for your manufacturing is the smart thing to do, but only if your chosen contractors are reliable. In a partnership with Leadgate, this reliability is automatic , and you can immediately benefit from the costing and ordering flexibility that allows you to respond quickly to changes in your own market conditions.
Leadgate will negotiate favourable rates on your behalf at every link in the supply chain. We will monitor the manufacturing process diligently, ensuring that design and construction elements are up to the standards that you and your customers expect.
Leadgate has experience in a number of product categories. These include the usual cut-and-sew technologies as well as plastic and metal molding and any related methods of fabrication. In fact, Leadgate enjoys a unique advantage in this area due to the expertise of our technical staff.
The expertise of our in-house engineering and design personnel means we can offer valuable advice on the technical aspects of the design and on the manufacturing methodology .
At Leadgate we fully understand the importance of doing things right. This is achieved by having a trusted representative monitoring the manufacturing process at source.
Should you wish to talk to one of our company experts concerning any product design issues you may have, please feel free to contact our technical department.
So long as your design is not too far off the beaten track, Leadgate staff will be able to give ball-park estimations about your project as soon as you start talking to us. We endeavour to provide potential customers with solid estimates within two weeks and signable figures within six weeks, although some more unusual projects can require weeks or even months of research, development and negotiation.
Yes we do. Leadgate's brain-cell to point-of-sale policy means we handle all of the client's offshore business from product inception to packaging, packing and delivery.
With all but the most well established products there are always some design issues to be worked out. Leadgate co-founder Mark Houghton's background in engineering means Leadgate is very comfortable working with clients that are at the beginning or part way through the design development process. In fact we believe that Leadgate's participation in the development process contributes in no small measure to the viability of the product.
Leadgate co-founders Mark and Sara Houghton are both British nationals and take a hands-on approach to running the company. All our staff are well-versed in Western aesthetics and Mark and Sara personally make frequent trips to factories and suppliers. Leadgate clients are welcome to participate in the factory visits but mostly we find this is not necessary. We have our own China-based personnel working in the factories on a daily basis.
Leadgate wouldn't be in business if we couldn't supply a more cost-effective production environment than the client's home country.
Using an offshore source for your manufacturing is the smart thing to do, but only if your chosen contractors are reliable. In a partnership with Leadgate, this reliability is automatic, and you can immediately benefit from the costing and ordering flexibility that allows you to respond quickly to changes in your own market conditions.
Leadgate will negotiate favourable rates on your behalf at every link in the supply chain. We will monitor the manufacturing process diligently so that design and construction elements meet your standards and the production line will operate at maximum efficiency.
eadgate has experience in a number of product categories. These include the usual cut-and-sew technologies as well as plastic and metal molding and any related methods of fabrication. In fact, Leadgate enjoys a unique advantage in this area due to the knowledge of our technical staff.
The experience of our in-house engineering and design personnel means we can offer valuable advice on the technical aspects of the design and on the manufacturing methodology .
Leadgate provides its clients with many and varied services to suit their particular needs. Of principal importance to the new customer is Leadgate's policy of liberally dispensing valuable FREE advice to first- time callers. Leadgate's policy is to help all comers establish what they need to ensure their project is up and running quickly and efficiently. We can help you avoid the common pitfalls of manufacturing offshore.
If Leadgate is not in a position to support your needs we endeavour to point you in the right direction. Otherwise Leadgate is committed to establishing a long-term relationship based on trust, professionalism and reliability from the outset.
Leadgate will offer clients services that aim to cover all of their particular needs. These services break down roughly into the following categories:
Leadgate's comprehensive database of contacts ensures access to affordable raw materials and parts manufacturers. Leadgate's long-established relationships with trusted suppliers play a significant part in the successful outcome of our projects.
Products come to Leadgate at various stages in the development process. Anything from raw idea sketch designs to fully developed and prototyped products. Whatever stage of development of the product, Leadgate is ready to pick up the ball and run with it.
Obviously this is Leadgate's bread-and-butter and consequently we've become very good at it. Our staff spend most of their time dealing with the small hassles of running a product through the manufacturing gauntlet - shielding the client from this daily trivia. At the same time we keep the client informed about the progress of the project ensuring peace-of-mind in the knowledge the project is in professional hands, on-schedule and up to scratch.
Balance is the key in the relationship between cost of manufacture and the production scheduling, and is one of the secrets of success for Leadgate and its clients. Leadgate carries out extensive research, and negotiates with suppliers and fabricators in depth before formulating production targets. Projects that are rushed will have problems with quality and consistency, while projects that are too drawn-out will be in danger of becoming stale and suffer as a result. Leadgate can help you to set realistic targets to avoid these pitfalls.
Leadgate has long-term relationships with shipping companies able to deliver securely and on time to most global destinations. As well as taking the paperwork headache from the client's shoulders, Leadgate supplies up-to-date tracking information on each shipment.
Leadgate can advise on various issues surrounding import/export regulations and quota conditions in the market.
Leadgate's Head Office staff-members make regular and frequent trips to factories and suppliers to inspect the production line for quality and production targets. Leadgate also has staff-members permanently based in China who oversee production on a daily basis. Our clients are provided with regular progress reports based on these inspections.
In offering a brain-cell to point-of-sale service we are familiar with a wide variety of packaging needs. For most products, quality packaging and presentation is an important factor in the success of sales. Working with Leadgate will ensure professional and affordable packaging for your product.
This is really all of the above and anything else the client may need. Leadgate manages all parts of the job. This goes along with Leadgate's policy of aiming to manage 100% of the client's offshore activities. If your product design stands outside the normal remit of outsourced production, Leadgate has the flexibility and agility needed to source and provide some of the more unconventional production technologies.
Well, for us the big news is that Leadgate's website is up and running.
We always welcome constructive criticism - that's how we all improve as we travel along life's highway. As time goes by we intend to bring you information or news items which will be of interest or keep you up to date.
Our first item is taken from Hebe Havens 24 Hour Dinghy Race. Mark Houghton is the Chairman of the Committee which organises a 24 Hour Dinghy Race, held annually in Hong Kong waters. The event raised HK$750,000 for two local charities: The Childrens Cancer Foundation and Sai Kungs Senior Citizen Home Safety Association.
Follow this link to a short video about the event (coming soon)
Leadgate Industries Ltd is sensitive to privacy issues on the Internet and is committed to protecting your privacy on our Web site. Leadgate Industries Ltd takes reasonable precautions to keep all information obtained from our online visitors secure against unauthorized access and use and we periodically review our security measures. We have established the following guidelines to explain the way in which we use information gathered from visitors to our Web site:
What information does Leadgate Industries Ltd collect?
In general, you can visit Leadgate Industries Ltd on the Web to access information while remaining anonymous and not revealing any personal information. There are times, however, that we will ask you to provide certain information (such as your name and email address) so that we may supply you with news about the market and make you aware of any new services that you might be interested in. Our Web server may also collect the domain names, but not the e-mail addresses, of visitors to our Web site. We use information to monitor and assist us in improving the content on our website.
How will Leadgate Industries Ltd protect your personal information?
Forms you fill out to interact with our staff may request that you give us sensitive information such as your e-mail address, mailing address or telephone number. Whenever that is the case, Leadgate Industries Ltd will take all commercially reasonable steps to establish a secure connection with your web-browser.
Note that our Web site contains links to other non-Leadgate Industries Ltd web sites. Although we try to link only to Web sites that share our concern for customer information privacy, we are not responsible for their content or their privacy practices.
How to update personal information.
You can help us to maintain the accuracy of your information by notifying Leadgate Industries Ltd of any change to your mailing address, phone number or e-mail address by visiting our contact pages and supplying us with updated information through our web forms, email or phone.
All Leadgate Industries Ltd Web pages with the ability to collect personal information also offer you the opportunity to remove your personal information from our e-mail mailing list at any time (same process as above).
Your first step in beginning your outsourcing project will be to phone, email, fax, or write to Leadgate with an outline of the product specification and projected delivery date. (Some information that would be useful to have at hand before you initially contact Leadgate can be found here.)
The Leadgate representative who you talk to initially will connect you with the appropriate staff member who has expertise in your particular production processes.
This person will be the contact at Leadgate that you will deal with from then on. They will give ballpark feedback on what to expect in terms of costs and time-tabling and may suggest solutions to some aspects of the project not yet fully worked out.
If you are happy with what you hear, and decide to enter into a no obligation relationship with Leadgate, we will undertake further research and preliminary negotiations with materials suppliers and factories.
Your company will need to supply Leadgate with samples, drawings and design specifications as appropriate to the project.
At an early stage in the process confidentiality agreements are usually undertaken by Leadgate.
If the product is not yet developed to the production stage, Leadgate can provide some product design and development services.
We understand the need for flexibility in product design due to manufacturing constraints.
Leadgate sees its role as an active partner in the development of a product and brings valuable expertise and experience to the drawing board that often can result in substantial reductions in production costs.
In parallel with the above process Leadgate will be talking to a variety of suppliers and providing you with materials samples.
Leadgate's long-established presence in China means you have a choice of trusted and reliable contractors at hand.
Negotiations will be undertaken on your behalf with potential manufacturers about costs and production schedules.
Leadgate's knowledge of facilities and suppliers in China means efficiency and effective quality control in the production process.
Once the product design is more or less finalised and the product specifications have been agreed, Leadgate arranges for a production prototype or sample to be produced by the factory. The sample is sent to you for inspection. If it is approved, the process moves on to the signing of binding contracts.
Of course in the real world you may well want to make further changes at this stage, often because the production of the sample itself has suggested further advantageous modifications.
If the sample matches up to your requirements and the proposed production schedule is satisfactory, you will send Leadgate a formal Purchase Order. Leadgate responds with a Sales Confirmation.
Details on both documents are confirmed to be accurate by the contracting parties and the Sales Confirmation is signed by both parties. Leadgate then sends a Purchase Order to the factory which is signed and returned to Leadgate to show that the factory understands what is required.
This is the standard practice in the industry.
During the production run Leadgate closely oversees every aspect of the production process, dealing with small problems. At the same time Leadgate will update you with progress reports as required. This allows you to rest easy - confident that your project is progressing and in good hands.
Leadgate doesn't use sub-contracted agents in the factories. We have our own trusted and experienced staff regularly visiting the production site. We use our own quality control staff, and the member of staff handling your account makes frequent visits. Often the senior member of staff overseeing the project also makes visits to the factories.
As well as frequent visits according to specific requirements, Leadgate staff are always present at the production site at the following stages:
The Leadgate representative's authority at the production site is mandated by the contractual agreement between Leadgate and the factory - as well as a good and long-established working relationship. They can stop production at any time in the process if they see something is wrong. If this happens Leadgate then puts its full resources into sorting out the problem with minimal delay, usually without the need to involve the client.
Leadgate understands that the job does not finish at the end of the production line. A single typo or colour mismatch in the packaging can severely affect the saleability of the product. Inadequate packing for shipping can spell disaster if the product is damaged en route. Our specialists have extensive experience spotting those last minute mistakes in packaging or product presentation that plagued the outsourcing industry in the early years.
Leadgate staff are always present at the final sealing of the shipping container, having overseen the packing. This ensures the products will arrive in good condition, ready for the retail outlet.
At the end of the whole process Leadgate encourages feedback from all involved in the project. This is one way that Leadgate has been improving efficiency and customer satisfaction for more than 25 years of successful international trading.
Logos and brand names have been removed. Download or view.
(photos are © 2005 Leadgate Industries Ltd.)
Leadgate's staff of enthusiastic professionals works diligently to monitor and manage your project so that needed information is always on hand and enquiries are immediately followed up. All Leadgate's Hong Kong-Chinese staff-members are English speakers.
Our staff's knowledge of the Asian cut-and-sew business and its peripheral industries is the key to Leadgate's ability to ensure you develop a world-beating product.
Leadgate Industries co-founder Sara Houghton has an occupational background in Banking Administration.
"I woke up one morning and realised my husband was preparing to leave his day job and launch a new entrepreneurial career!
"I decided I'd better jump on the bandwagon so that while he was creating a dynamic forge-ahead company with wonderful contacts and innovative ideas, there would be someone around to do any actual work that came along and make sure that translated into rent-paying, food-buying cash.
"Luckily for us, and our two children who were born later - it worked!
"We haven't looked back since."
"We started Leadgate Industries over 25 years ago, after I completed my first career as an engineer in the Transport Industry.
"Engineers have been in my family for about 100 years and being part of that tradition with its disciplined approach has certainly helped the company deal with China's explosive emergence from agriculture into manufacturing. Much experience is still to be gained, both for us and China's young industrialists.
"I feel there is still huge potential for growth and improvement in the industry. I also realise that there is a lot for us all to learn as we continue to grow and expand."
Runs our Shipping Department and joined Leadgate in March 1992, which means that after Nancy, she has been with us for the longest time.
Is one of our Merchandisers and although he only joined us in February 2004 his enthusiasm has been infectious.
Runs the Mainland part of our Quality Control Department, where he spends most of his time. He joined us in June 2003.
Is also one of our Merchandisers and joined us in December 1996. 9 years seem to have passed by very quickly!
Product Development/Merchandiser. Frankie joined us in January 1995 in our QC department, and has matured into his present position.
Accountant - Ida joined us in November 1996 and without her our finances would never be straight.
Is a Merchandiser and also joined us in 2004. At the end of 2005 she became the proud mother of her first baby - a girl.
Administrative Assistant. Joyce also joined us in March 2004, and is the voice at the end of the telephone line when you first call Leadgate.
Manda helps Beverly in our Shipping Department and joined us in March 2004.
Me Me (our nick name for her) is now an Assistant Merchandiser, although she originally joined us in July 2001 as an Administrative Assistant.
Nancy is Ida's very able assistant in the Accounts Department. She joined April 1990 and is our longest serving member of staff, and knows us inside out.
Please make your initial phone contact with Leadgate through our administrative assistant, Joyce Chan. She will connect you with the appropriate staff member to deal with your enquiry.
Alternatively you can email Leadgate Industries, fax or use our web form.
Please go here for postal location details.
