Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1487920
DECEMBER 2022 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 57 what they need, they explain their idea to us, and we propose a technical solution. Duigou: We now have 30 business units around the world, and we feel it's important that the customer can speak in their own language. We know that we are the bridge between China and the rest of the world on a daily basis. Here, for example, we know that we will meet a lot of Germans. ey will talk to our German team, and then we create the bridge to China. For them, it's very comfortable. ere can be a lot of misunderstandings with China because of the language and culture. At ICAPE Group, we have a mix of cultures, and the same in our China office. We have many French employees living in China and who are married to Chinese people. is may seem like a small detail, but not for us because we understand each other, and we know how each one works. For busi- ness, it's quite important. For example, if I have an issue with a Chinese partner factory or our warehouse in Hong Kong, I can go directly to our teams in China. I can tell Bingling that we have an issue, and she can make a call in Chi- nese. It's the same for our customers. at's the bridge, the gateway. Johnson: at is a value add because that can oen be an issue when you're outsourcing globally, regardless of whether it's China. Any cultural difference can create a communica- tions barrier. Duigou: Yes, and it's more complicated now. You can buy directly in China, but you must manage your own technical, quality, and logis- tic issues, and that's been a huge problem this year. Our customers don't have to deal with these issues; we do it for them. Johnson: ose are the hidden costs in out- sourcing—the admin, oversight, and follow-up to make that happen. e price may be differ- ent, and may be lower, but then you have the added costs of oversight and staffing to make sure that the outsourcing works to your quality specifications. Duigou: is year we will make $240 million in purchases. is means we have real buying power. For our small- or medium-sized cus- tomers, we can offer prices they would not get if they went to China on their own. It's a win- win for both parties.