GlobalBusinessProfessor.com’s latest audio interview, “Current Developments of the China Sourcing Function,” features Xiaodong Han, president of Shanghai-based Taichi and a supply chain expert. In the 8-minute audio interview, Han discusses the current state of automotive sourcing functions within China; comments on the shrinking of sourcing teams and reasons behind it; highlights typical problems facing sourcing teams and how to fix them; and makes two final points to help western executives succeed in sourcing in and from China.
Han is the founder and president of Taichi, a leading China sourcing and business development service company that has assisted clients sourcing billions of dollars worth of automotive and industrial parts, construction and furniture materials, and consumer products in China since its establishment in 2007. He also leads the development of Taichi’s core competency, which is its best-in-class business intelligence that tracks and connects with 15,000-plus automotive and purchasing executives worldwide, 3,000-plus China-based factories and sourcing experience in more than 100 product categories in China.
In addition to sourcing services, Taichi also assists leading international companies developing new business in China’s automotive industry. This includes key account development, relationship management, local production (green field, acquisition and restructure of existing operations) and local compliance.
Before founding Taichi in 2007, Han was chief representative in China for United Components Inc. (UCI, which later became UCI-Fram Group) setting up and leading its China Office/Asia Procurement Office from 2004 to 2006. During his tenure, UCI increased China sourcing from $40 million to $80 million a year. In addition, UCI’s China presence grew from 0 to two offices and four factories through green field projects and acquisition. Before UCI, Xiaodong was with AC Coin and Slot, Bristol‐Myers Squibb’s Global Strategic Sourcing division in the U.S., and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in China.
Han holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia and a bachelor degree from Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics in Lanzhou, China.
