At Scayl, we pride ourselves on working directly with our partners to ensure that every machine we sell meets our high standards of quality and efficiency. Unlike companies that simply buy and resell products, our close partnerships with our Chinese suppliers give us a unique edge. Our recent business trip to China reinforced this commitment, as we spent 10 days visiting two of our key suppliers, gaining deeper insights into their operations and experiencing everything that China has to offer!
Strengthening Partnerships and Exploring Innovations
Our journey began in Wenzhou, where we visited one of our long-standing partners. The growth of their operations was impressive—having expanded from one factory to four since our last visit. Jane, our contact within the company, gave us a full tour of one of their factories, showcasing their latest production processes and a showroom filled with untouched machines. A key takeaway from this visit was their expertise in liquid fillers, an area we are keen to explore further. We also discussed product improvements, including thicker steel components and upgraded electrical parts, and secured two mini VFFS machines for future testing.
After a productive day of business discussions, we had an unexpected adventure—climbing a mountain when our planned lunch spot was closed! This was a great way to strengthen our relationship with Jane and her colleagues, whilst also taking in the breathtaking view of the Lishui countryside! That evening, we travelled to Guangdong province in the south of China, eager to meet our second partner, Derson.
In-Depth Training and Hands-On Learning
In Zhongshan, we visited Derson and his team, who manufacture our larger machines, including fully automated packing lines. Derson's company has been operating since 2011 and has grown into a highly skilled and efficient operation with a team of 60 staff members. Their workforce includes a dedicated sales team, a group of experienced engineers, and an entire department focused on research and development.
During our visit, we toured the factory, documenting every step from R&D to final production. Meeting their team, including co-owner Mr. Gan, reinforced the strong relationship we’ve built over the years and highlighted the expertise behind their machines. Their ability to develop and refine fully automated solutions makes them an invaluable partner as we expand our offerings in advanced packaging technology.
The full building process is done completely in-house, and we work closely with the CAD designers as well as our customers to ensure we bring the right solution to your business. After the design process is done our engineers use precision laser cutting with minimal wastage to begin constructing your machinery. Finally, all the machines go through a rigorous 72-hour testing period and if any issues are found within that time they are inspected, fixed and put through another 72 hours of testing.
Throughout the visit, we worked closely with their engineers, gaining hands-on training on machine settings, applications, and adjustments. The time spent with Derson and his team was highly productive, as we all received in-depth training on the technical aspects of the machines, ensuring we can provide the best solutions for our customers.
As always, building personal connections was just as important as the technical aspects. We enjoyed dinners with Derson and his team, even experiencing a traditional evening out, which he described as a great honour. The hospitality and warm welcome we experienced reaffirmed our commitment to working together long-term.
The Future of Our Machines
We are incredibly proud to work with our Chinese partners, especially now that we have seen their production capabilities whilst visiting China. There may be a misconception that Chinese-made products are substandard, but we have full trust and confidence in our manufacturers and the quality of their products. We look forward to continuing to work with different manufacturers in China and developing our business relationships further.
The insights gained from this trip will directly impact our offerings. By working alongside our manufacturers, we can refine our product line, improve machine efficiency, and expand into new areas such as liquid filling and fully automated solutions. This level of involvement is what sets us apart—rather than simply purchasing machines, we actively collaborate in their development.
Our strong partnerships in China ensure that we continue to deliver the best solutions to our customers—fully automated, high-quality machinery backed by expertise and innovation. Stay tuned for updates as we implement what we’ve learned from this incredible experience!
