Many international buyers assume that long-term cooperation with the same supplier will automatically result in lower procurement costs. In reality, the opposite often happens: sourcing costs remain flat or steadily increase, even as the market becomes more competitive.
The reason? Without regular market benchmarking, buyers lack visibility into current supplier competitiveness and emerging opportunities. This is where having a professional China sourcing agent can make a real difference.
Case Study: Carbon Fiber Products in China
Recently, we assisted an overseas client in sourcing carbon fiber tubes with a 3K finish from China. As part of our standard sourcing process, we conducted:
-
Supplier verification to ensure reliability and production capacity
-
RFQ (Request for Quotation) benchmarking across multiple manufacturers
The client had been working with the same long-term supplier for several years and assumed their pricing remained competitive. However, no formal RFQ comparison had been done recently.
RFQ Benchmarking Reveals a Surprising Price Gap
We identified and shortlisted six reputable carbon fiber manufacturers in China, each fully capable of meeting the client’s stringent technical and quality standards. The price quotations revealed a notable disparity: Price Difference: USD 70 (≈ 28%).
Shockingly, even the highest quotation among the 6 suppliers was still cheaper than the client’s current vendor, whose price was nearly double the market range.
Without conducting a proper RFQ comparison, the client would never have discovered this cost gap.
What Changed Since 2021?
Back in 2021, the same long-term supplier had competed with four other manufacturers, and pricing across vendors was nearly identical. At that time, there was no significant price difference.
Over the past few years:
-
New manufacturers entered the market with optimized processes
-
Production efficiency improved across the industry
-
Supply chains and material sourcing became more cost-effective
Meanwhile, without ongoing RFQ benchmarking, the client’s supplier pricing gradually drifted above the market rate.
The Hidden Risks of Long-Term Supplier Dependence
Relying solely on a long-term supplier can create pricing blind spots, such as:
-
Lack of visibility into real-time market prices
-
Reduced competitive pressure on suppliers
-
Missed opportunities to work with more efficient manufacturers
China’s manufacturing landscape evolves rapidly, particularly in carbon fiber and composite materials. Suppliers that were competitive years ago may no longer offer the best value today.
Why Continuous RFQ Benchmarking Matters
Regular RFQ comparisons enable buyers to:
-
Understand real-time market pricing
-
Identify immediate cost-saving opportunities
-
Strengthen negotiation leverage
-
Reduce long-term sourcing risk
If you don’t compare, you don’t know.
If you don’t verify, you overpay.
How a China Sourcing Agent Adds Value
Working with a professional sourcing agent in China ensures your procurement strategy stays competitive:
-
Supplier verification and audits to ensure reliability and quality
-
Transparent RFQ comparisons across multiple qualified manufacturers
-
Identification of cost-effective and capable suppliers
-
On-site production monitoring to maintain quality and deadlines
Whether sourcing carbon fiber tubes, composites, or other industrial products, having a trusted China-based sourcing agent helps reduce risk, optimize costs, and maintain long-term competitiveness.