China equals quality for leading corporate gift firm
Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, IGC Global Promotions is the world's oldest association of companies specialized in the corporate and promotional gifts sector.
Today IGC has 48 members in 42 countries, with more than 1,500 employees around the world and a combined annual turnover of more than $500 million.
It currently serves such multinational clients as L'Or��al, Booking.com, FrieslandCampina, MSD, Kerry, T-Mobile and Swiss Re.
"China is known as the world's largest manufacturer, but there is very little knowledge about its B2B (business-to-business) market and potential," said Hans Poulis, CEO of IGC Global Promotions.
"China plays a key role in our industry when it comes to sourcing and manufacturing promotional products."
He continued: "In our sector, there is high priority on both quality control and CSR (corporate social responsibility), and our partners in China help us to secure this.
"Supply chain transparency is also a common request from our clients. This means that we have to offer them insights into our social and environmental initiatives, as well as provide detailed information about product quality and compliance."
Discussing China's current global reputation, Poulis said: "Today, China has a great reputation. A huge number of production facilities and companies there are able to provide the highest quality products demanded by the global market in corporate and promotional gifts."
To better serve its local clients in China, IGC Global Promotions has three offices in the country - located in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Poulis is confident in IGC's ability to understand the intricacies of doing business in the Chinese market.
"We have noticed substantial growth, not just in China - but in the entire Asian region," he said. "As we continue to anticipate the needs of the global market, we also expect that the Chinese government's Belt and Road Initiative will intensify ties and collaboration between the Netherlands and China."
www.igcpromotions.com
(China Daily 01/27/2017 page11)
