Supporting Global Sourcing: HI-COM Interprets for French Brand Prodes During Supplier Visit in China
Interpreting services for sourcing trips in China are essential for effective business interpreting in China. International sourcing requires more than just product knowledge and supplier scouting—it demands clear, culturally sensitive communication.
HI-COM Asia recently supported Prodes, a French company specializing in indoor and outdoor professional-grade equipment, during a key sourcing mission in China. The primary goal was to meet with Chinese manufacturers, assess product quality, discuss innovation, and solidify long-term partnerships.
Why Interpreting Is Essential for Supplier Visits in China
When a company like Prodes travels to China, interpreting isn’t just about converting words from one language to another. It’s about bridging business cultures, ensuring technical specifications are aligned, and facilitating trust—a vital concept in Chinese business known as “关系” (guānxì).
For this project, HI-COM provided trilingual consecutive interpreting in Chinese, French, and English, helping both sides navigate:
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Product presentations and spec alignment
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Negotiation of pricing and timelines
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Questions around innovation, compliance, and production capabilities
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Small talk and relationship building—often the most underestimated part of doing business in China
This wasn’t just a translation job—it was strategic communication in action.
Meet Prodes: Experts in Professional-Grade Equipment
Prodes offers a broad range of furniture and equipment for public spaces—everything from durable outdoor benches to functional indoor furnishings for schools, offices, and municipalities. Their designs prioritize durability, ergonomics, and aesthetics.
With a growing need for competitive sourcing and innovation, Prodes turned to China to explore new manufacturing partnerships and expand their supplier network.
HI-COM’s Role: A Trilingual Business On-site Interpreter
HI-COM’s experienced interpreter accompanied the Prodes team during factory tours, supplier meetings, and business dinners. With fluency in Chinese, English, and French, and a strong background in international trade, our interpreter ensured:
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Clear transmission of technical terminology
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Accurate representation of client expectations
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Support during cultural exchanges and networking moments
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Smooth transitions between business formalities and casual conversation
This trilingual support allowed Prodes to remain focused on their mission, confident that nothing was lost in translation.
Building Long-Term Cooperation (关系)
In Chinese business culture, relationships matter just as much as contracts. Successful partnerships are built over shared meals, mutual respect, and strong communication. Our interpreter didn’t just translate words—they helped foster ‘guanxi’, the trust-based relational foundation needed for successful long-term sourcing.
This is the added value of HI-COM’s interpreting services—especially when supporting European companies sourcing in China.
Why Choose HI-COM for Your Business Interpreting Needs in China?
Whether you’re a French company like Prodes or an international brand exploring manufacturing in China, HI-COM offers:
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Certified interpreters with sector-specific knowledge
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On-site support for factory visits, expos, and audits
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Multilingual capabilities in Chinese, French, English, Russian, and more
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Deep knowledge of Chinese business etiquette and communication norms
We go beyond interpretation—we help you build understanding, trust, and sustainable business connections.
Planning a Business Trip to China?
If your company is preparing a supplier visit, business negotiation, or factory inspection in China, don’t let language be a barrier. Partner with HI-COM for:
✅ Multilingual interpreting
✅ Industry-specific terminology expertise
✅ Cultural guidance and negotiation support
✅ Professional, discreet, and reliable service
Get in touch today to request an interpreter for your next sourcing trip in China.
FAQ: Interpreting Services for Business in China
Q: What’s the difference between interpreting and translation?
A: Translation refers to written content, while interpreting refers to real-time spoken communication. For business trips, interpreting is essential.
Q: Do I need a local interpreter in China?
A: Yes. Chinese business culture has many nuances. A local interpreter ensures not just linguistic clarity, but also cultural fluency—essential during negotiations.
Q: How do I book a business interpreter through HI-COM?
A: Contact us via our website or email. We’ll assess your needs and match you with a qualified interpreter based on language, industry, and location.