Chinese e-liquid manufacturing and sanitary conditions

[Pawpaw]

Leaford,

Thank you so much for all the info, and now pics, you are providing. It's wonderful to have these insights into how all this is done. I believe this will have a long term effect on all e-cigs, not just the VK. You are providing photographic proof that these things are manufactured to the highest standards.

I am so glad you joined the V4L team! I hope you're feeling better.

Bob

 

[Thyestean]

Wow. Nice setup.

 

[JenJen]

After seeing the bathroom facilities in China, I must admit, I had a few concerns myself...

 

[roxinal]

Wow great pics leaford. Thanks for sharing them with us, Looks like your having a good time.

 

[roxinal]

Wow! That's impressive! I must say that appears to be a state-of-the-art facility.

I'm sure this was discussed in another thread that I haven't checked out yet, but how did you manage to secure a tour of the factory? I assume you're a supplier/vendor on a site visit?

Great pics! Thanks!

PS - Where in China was this? Just curious!

He is Vice president of productions (I believe thats correct) For V4L.

 

[SMILIN]

I start vaping, when I get up, vape, all day, and night, even in bed, until I pass out from work exhaustion

Leaford is part of the V4L Journey, and My VP of Product Development. We will strive to be fully diclosed, where we give NO trade secrets, but address, our concerns, as well as yours.

As I have said before, You ain't seen nothing yet, more to come, and V4L will just keep making you happier, and smilin more

Enjoy

Steve, Leaford

 

[Pumaman]

First off, while sanitation is, and should be, a reasonable concern with ANY consumable goods, the particular paranoia over Chinese goods is at least a little xenophobic, and even a bit racist. Sure there have been high profile cases of contaminated goods, but compared to the sheer VOLUME of consumable goods made in China for the US, they are such a MINUTE fraction as to be almost inconsiderable.

Pardon me if i go off on a rant here...

I'm getting a little tired of the racist and xenophobic claims against anyone who may be concerned about the quality of product exported from China. While I'm pleased you have found conditions at this factory at a high standard, reaching the conclusion as an absolute that Chinese products are high quality based on one factory is just as absurd as the conclusion that all Chinese products are terrible based on one Zhu Zhu pet (inaccurately). I have personal experience importing from China and know first hand the quality can run from one extreme to another, even from the same factory. This experience does not make me racist or xenophobic. In addition, looking out my window my driveway contains a Honda and a Toyota, bought mainly on the reputation for quality of these Japanese manufacturers. Am I therefore racist and xenophobic in regards to the Chinese but not the Japanese? There was a time when the label "Made in Japan" was derisive, now it is complimentary. Did everyone just stop being racist and xenophobic towards Japan one day? No, it is not a question of racism but reputation. Japan earned the change in attitude through the change in product, China will one day but that day has not yet come. Thank you for the pictures and chronicling of your experience, but I would prefer it without the impugning of people you have never met.

Of course that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

 

[bbeegun]

Thanks for sharing and keeping us all up to date. I wish America could do some manufacturing. We need jobs. We need to learn from the Chinese how to be so clean and how to produce products so cheaply. Is it the unions that make everything so expensive here?

My ex hubby used to work for Ensure making the products. The factory was very clean and sanitary but nothing like what I see in those pics. Wow.

 

[Adrenalynn]

On the other hand - you probably wouldn't enjoy their standard of living. Hence the reason our manufacturing (and most everything else) has been outsourced. If we want it back, we're going to have to accept an overall decline in standard of living in order to be competitive.

That said - there's nothing to stop someone from manufacturing in the US (other than incredibly restrictive laws and tax codes) - and pricing appropriately. There will always be a market for Ferraris, Lamborghinis, etc.

 

[Adrenalynn]

Pumaman - I agree. It's hit and miss. And you need to "ride their a__ like Zorro" to get decent yields. there's a political commentary to be made regarding socialism and communism - but I'm just gonna let it go...

Suffice to say they're not always terribly... independently motivated.

But that's why Leaford's over there. He's there to check the product and crack the whip and move the company forward.

 

[impostor71]

Very impressive pictures Leaford! Thank you for sharing them with us. Certainly put me at ease knowing that it's not a bunch of dudes filling cartos in a barn. =) Have a happy holidays in China and stay safe!

 

[Thunderbolt]

This makes me feel better knowing the sterile conditions.

 

[nubee]

Over in the new member's section there's a thread about whether we (e-cig users in general, not just V4L) should be concerned that our e-liquid is manufactured in China. The original post is:

Is anyone concerned?


I can't answer there, so I thought I'd post my reply here. WITH PICS!!!

Leaford you so ROCK!! This is blow the doors off anything amazing...and comforting.

I'd have to admit that I've not even considered or had any concern for this type of thing - guess I'm sort of a bushel-o-dirt-a-day type.

Thank you so so much for addressing this (and with pics!). Even if this is an "unusual" shop, still nice to know they are there.

 

[~Gazoo~]

Thanks Leaford...pics speak a thousand words. I can't get over how clean that floor is..lol.

About them not wearing gloves...yeah that was a concern of mine too, but since they have to walk through a sanitizer before entering production I am ok with it.

 

[Wormwood]

You are awesome Leaford!!! This is a big comfort! Btw, looks like a scene from resident evil in the labs lol, this place is definitely high tech! Thanks for posting this!

 

[PLSChows]

Awesome pics and write up Leaf. Glad you're feeling better...hope you're 100% by now. Looking forward to the updates

 

[DaShiVa]

As has been touched on by a few posters, and in relation to cross posting this to other sub forums/threads, etc, keep this in mind:

Leaford is doing an inspection of V4L's suppliers, primarily, and Steve has already done his part to ensure that V4L uses the best suppliers to begin with. Just because Leaford finds pleasing results does not mean that if you purchase from other vendors that you will be getting the same quality of goods (and personally, I kind of doubt it).
On that same note, I'm sure that some of the people who do 'mix their own juices in their garage' to sell have just as good Quality Control, just because they aren't in a factory with a clean room doesn't mean their products aren't as good quality, provided they are taking the necessary care and precautions.

But, back to my original point - Leaford is touring V4L's suppliers, not every last supplier for every last vendor, and V4L's suppliers are already (based on opinion, of course) the best in the industry.

 

[fenez]

This supplier only sells to vl?

 

[DaShiVa]

This supplier only sells to vl?

That isn't what I said

I said this is the manufacturer V4L uses, I am sure some other suppliers also use them, but I don't know who, and I also believe there are other manufacturers, which means they also have other customers, and I don't know who is who, so I wouldn't take it as a given that just because Leaford finds high quality conditions here that you should assume the same of other suppliers.

I also just realized I used the term 'suppliers' a lot when i should have been saying 'manufacturers' in my previous post.

 

[leaford]

That's exactly right, DaShiva!