How We Work

A process designed so you stay in control of every decision.

Eight auditable stages for a Sourcing & Trading project, from the first briefing to delivery and after-sales. Manufacturer Representation and Canada connections follow a lighter process, described on their own pages.

The full process

From concept to warehouse, with no blind spots.

Every stage is documented and available for your review. There's no "black box" between order and delivery.

Stage 1

Diagnosis & briefing

We understand your goal, product, volume, budget and timeline, and define the project scope and the type of supplier you need.

Stage 2

Sourcing & shortlisting

We identify candidate manufacturers within our verified network or through a search targeted at the right sector and country of origin.

Stage 3

Verification & factory audit

We check legal, financial, production and quality capacity on-site before your production is committed to any supplier.

Stage 4

Negotiation

We negotiate commercial terms, timelines, warranties, MOQ and Incoterms on your behalf, backed by the prior verification.

Stage 5

Development & samples

We validate product, prototype or pre-production before authorizing mass production.

Stage 6

Production & quality control

We oversee manufacturing with documented inspections: raw material verification, during-production inspection (DUPRO) and pre-shipment inspection (PSI).

Stage 7

Logistics & customs

We select the optimal transport mode (sea, air or rail), and manage Incoterms, documentation and customs clearance at origin and destination.

Stage 8

Delivery & after-sales

Tracking through to final destination, with technical support, warranty management and issue resolution once goods are received.

When something doesn't go as planned

Our decision-making framework.

01

Verify

We analyze the facts, confirm documentation and validate information before acting. No decision is made on assumptions.

02

Communicate

We inform you immediately and transparently about risks, incidents or delays — before you have to ask.

03

Resolve

We apply the fastest, safest solution available, always respecting current customs and trade regulation.

Other lines of work

Looking for commercial representation or a Canada connection?

This 8-stage process describes Sourcing & Trading. Manufacturer Representation and Canada Business Connections follow a lighter process, focused on verification and connection, not production.

Verification complete

2

Negotiation underway

Frequently asked questions

About the process

How long does a typical project take, from request to delivery?

It depends on the sector and transport mode: an order for a product already in the manufacturer's catalogue can be resolved in 4-6 weeks; custom product development (OEM/ODM) usually needs 8 to 16 weeks before mass production starts.

Who is my point of contact during the project?

A single SGI consultant coordinates sourcing, quality and logistics for your project. You don't manage the manufacturer, the quality inspector and the freight forwarder separately.

What happens if the quality inspection finds a problem before shipment?

We don't authorize loading until detected non-conformities are resolved. You're informed immediately with the corresponding photo report and the options available, applying our Verify → Communicate → Resolve framework.

Can I start with just the sourcing part and manage logistics myself?

Yes. Every stage of the process can be contracted independently or as an integrated end-to-end service, depending on what your company already manages in-house.

Let's talk about the specific stages of your project.