# Supply Chains and Manufacturing with Charles Lin of TechDesign

- Show: [Predictable Designs Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast)
- Published: 2020-07-06
- Length: 51m
- Episode: 24
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-06-supply-chains-and-manufacturing-with-charles-lin-of-techdesign

## Summary

Charles Lin of TechDesign, a Taiwan-based hardware development facilitator, explains how his company connects startups with a network of over 500 suppliers in China and Taiwan. He outlines six key strategies for selecting suppliers, emphasizing the importance of finding mid-tier manufacturers with available capacity rather than large ODMs like Foxconn. Lin also details the advantages of Taiwan's electronics ecosystem, including its high patent density and engineering talent, and discusses how the company navigates supply chain challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-06-supply-chains-and-manufacturing-with-charles-lin-of-techdesign#t=0) Introduction: Charles Lin and TechDesign's Model
- [1:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-06-supply-chains-and-manufacturing-with-charles-lin-of-techdesign#t=105) TechDesign's Supplier Matching and Solution Library
- [17:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-06-supply-chains-and-manufacturing-with-charles-lin-of-techdesign#t=1039) Six Tips for Selecting the Right Supplier
- [31:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-06-supply-chains-and-manufacturing-with-charles-lin-of-techdesign#t=1882) Understanding Supplier Mindset and Red Flags
- [38:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-06-supply-chains-and-manufacturing-with-charles-lin-of-techdesign#t=2283) Advantages of Manufacturing in Taiwan
- [43:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-06-supply-chains-and-manufacturing-with-charles-lin-of-techdesign#t=2616) Impact of COVID-19 on Supply Chains

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- TechDesign (company)
- Foxconn (company)
- Pegatron (company)
- TSMC (company)
- Asiatic Fiber Corporation (company)
- Unlimited (company)
- Google (company)
- Apple (company)
- Dell (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ludibrious Luxating Layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-01-24-ludibrious-luxating-layout) (The Amp Hour)
- [Darragh Hudson | How to Set up A Manufacturing Supply Chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-11-18-darragh-hudson-how-to-set-up-a-manufacturing-supply-chain) (Being an Engineer)
- [An Interview with Zach Hoeken Smith - Creative China Commorant](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-11-12-an-interview-with-zach-hoeken-smith-creative-china-commorant) (The Amp Hour)
- [EMS@C-LEVEL Season #2021 Episode #6 with Case Engelen, CEO of TITOMA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-08-09-ems-c-level-season-2021-episode-6-with-case-engelen-ceo-of-titoma) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Cypress CEO Chat | 5G to 6G | Why Taiwan Companies are Leaving China | Startups in Taiwan](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-05-03-cypress-ceo-chat-5g-to-6g-why-taiwan-companies-are-leaving-china-startups-in-tai) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

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