Sourcing from eastern Europe and the far east

[whj]

I have been looking into sourcing a metal fabricated product from abroad. After a few hours on google I contacted a couple of 'faciliatators' and agents, all of whom left me feeling that they were prepared to carry very little responsibility for their fee. I also tried alibaba but just seemd to go round in circles

To give you an idea of scale, we would have no problem in ordering by the container load on a contractural agreement.

Can anyone give me any advice regarding dealing with manufacturers directly and the potential problems I can expect to encounter. Or is there a sub-contract exhibition soon where manufacturers from low cost economies will be exhibiting

ANy ideas or suggestions welcome

[CHIEF]

We use a good fabricator in China. They do all our alluminium and are spot on.
If you can hang on until monday i will get you their details. PM me to remind me and i'll sort it.