From Low-Price Competition to Partnerships with Global Luxury Brands: What Did This Import-Export Factory Do Right?

At a time when industry competition has become increasingly intense, most companies are trapped in price wars and fighting for low-end orders, struggling to stay afloat.

However, Xiamen Laisi Packaging Products Co., Ltd. has taken a different path, becoming a component supplier for global brands such as Chanel, Versace, Starbucks, Adidas, and Under Armour.

What makes them different? Below is a real sharing from Mr. Liu, the company's general manager.

1. The Challenge: Surviving Low-End Competition Is Difficult—Breaking Through Requires Moving Upmarket

To be honest, the current environment in the packaging industry is not easy. If you continue focusing on low-end products, it's like everyone crowding into the same public square dance—low barriers to entry, too many participants, fierce price wars, and profits so thin that there is barely any room left.

At Laisi, we chose a different path.

We mainly focus on three product categories: paper packaging materials, paper boxes, and eco-friendly fabric bags. Our strategy is very clear—deeply cultivate the high-end market.

The reason behind this decision is simple: as more imported raw materials enter the market, overall industry costs continue to rise. The low-end market simply cannot sustain itself. Meanwhile, clients like Chanel and Starbucks have extremely high requirements for packaging quality. They are not short of suppliers—they are looking for partners who truly understand their needs and can work in sync with them.

Another clear growth opportunity for us is exporting packaging products that comply with the “One Country Six Standards” environmental and packaging regulations (specific compliance requirements in certain countries or regions).

Although the barrier to entry in this market is high, its annual growth rate remains stable at around 30%, making it one of our key strategic focuses.

2. The Breakthrough: Beyond Manufacturing—Strong Quality Control and Design Services

Many peers ask me: How did you manage to secure these global brand clients?

My answer is straightforward: our biggest advantages lie in comprehensive quality inspection and our ability to provide integrated solutions.

In the past, we simply accepted orders and produced according to client drawings. But this model can no longer meet the needs of high-end customers.

First, quality is the baseline.

Based on our existing production equipment, we strictly implement a full-inspection quality control system. Regardless of order size, every process and every finished product must pass 100% inspection before leaving the factory.

Yes, this approach increases costs. But for brands like Chanel and Under Armour, which place great importance on brand reputation, such rigorous quality control provides the sense of security they value.

Our investment in equipment isn't just for show—we genuinely aim to elevate the overall texture and quality of our clients' packaging.

Second, we are no longer just an OEM factory.

Instead, we provide complete packaging solutions. From initial packaging design concepts to the final finished product, we take responsibility throughout the entire process, helping clients eliminate unnecessary concerns.

One key improvement is direct communication between designers.

In the past, salespeople served as intermediaries, which often led to misunderstandings. Now, our designers communicate directly with the client's designers. While there may occasionally be differences in creative perspectives, this method allows us to understand client needs far more accurately.

I usually act as the coordinator, ensuring that the client's brand philosophy is perfectly translated into our manufacturing process.

For example:

When creating packaging for Adidas sports equipment, the packaging must not only look appealing but also align with their sustainability philosophy.

When producing cup sleeves for Starbucks, both tactile feel and printing precision must meet top-tier standards.

3. Empowerment: Tendata Helped Us Find the Right Direction and Focus Precisely

Having good products and a responsible attitude is not enough in the import-export business. Information gaps often determine success or failure, which is why we introduced Tendata.

To be honest, I hesitated at first. I wasn't sure customs data was that important. But once we started using it, we realized it saved us a huge amount of time otherwise spent on blind exploration and significantly improved our efficiency.

（1）Precisely identifying growth markets

Through Tendata, we can clearly see global procurement trends for packaging products that meet the “One Country Six Standards.”

For example:

Which countries are increasing imports?

Which buyers are changing suppliers?

The data is straightforward and transparent. It helped us understand exactly where that 30% growth rate was coming from and gave us the confidence to concentrate resources on this market.

（2）Directly connecting with key decision-makers

If you want to enter the supply chains of giants like Chanel or Versace, simply finding a procurement email is far from enough.

Tendata helped us map out their supply chain structures and analyze their procurement preferences—such as preferred materials and delivery requirements.

In some cases, we can even prepare packaging solutions before they launch new products, allowing us to seize opportunities ahead of competitors.

（3）Strengthening our commitment to full inspection

Through Tendata's industry reports, we discovered that the high-end market's demand for “zero-defect packaging” is even higher than we initially expected.

This further confirmed that implementing a 100% inspection system was the right decision. Once quality is guaranteed, customers become far less sensitive to price.

The import-export business is indeed becoming increasingly challenging. But precisely because of this, it is more rewarding and meaningful.

If you are still struggling in the low-end red ocean of price competition, it might be time to rethink your strategy:

· Refine your products

· Provide comprehensive solutions

· Target the right markets with precision

By doing so, you can collaborate with world-class brands, secure a firm position in the industry, and build your own competitive high ground.