Make comparisons consistent
Use the same assumptions for skills, capacity, infrastructure, customer connections and launch effort. Record sources and unresolved points. This distinguishes a supported advantage from one that still needs verification.
Connect structure with operations
Plan customer contracts, operating activities and company structure together. Legal and tax arrangements are reviewed with the relevant advisers. Administration, funding and responsibilities after launch also belong in the decision.
Prepare a traceable decision
For a Chinese automotive supplier, Black Darter® compared six Eastern European locations and developed a holding concept with tax-adviser involvement. This provided a decision basis; it does not imply that a relocation was completed.
Compare locations with explicit exclusion criteria
Weights alone do not make a location decision sound. Define mandatory requirements before scoring options.
- Customer supply
- Check required delivery frequency, transit time, inventory and start date against customer demand.
- Ramp-up and capacity
- Verify space, energy, permits, skills and recruitment using reliable evidence.
- Total costs
- Model wages alongside productivity, ancillary costs, logistics, start-up investment and financing.
- Corporate structure
- Coordinate contracts, financing and holding arrangements with the responsible legal and tax advisers.
The decision brief shows assumptions, sources, open questions and risks for each location. A favourable score must not conceal a failed mandatory requirement.