Our team in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, frequently conducts factory visits to see potential suppliers. It allows us to take a good look at the behind-the-scenes conditions. Aside from attending trade fairs, the team has gained much industry knowledge and understanding through this immersive experience.
The Importance of A Factory Visit
1. Establish Rapport Between You and the Supplier
Merely giving a call or emailing your potential supplier isn’t enough. By making time to meet face-to-face and assess the factory production process, the team and supplier were able to form a bond.
This reduces miscommunications as clarifications are constantly made on an ongoing basis. It also solidifies the relationship and creates more business opportunities in the future.
MOQ in China and how you can lower it is another important aspect you might discuss with potential suppliers during a factory visit.
Making the Best Out of A Factory Visit – How?
2. Understanding of Production Capacity
It is necessary to know whether the supplier is capable of producing the exact requirements for a product. By going down to the factory, one is able to analyze the operations more accurately.
Hence, reviewing manufacturing capabilities and obtaining samples are essential in order to reduce customers’ dissatisfaction and possible wastage of resources. To help you assess ideal manufacturing partners in China, do check out our blog about auditing factories in China.
Here are some samples the supplier brought in for quality check!
Making the Best Out of A Factory Visit – How?
We were able to touch and feel the materials used to ensure that it is of good quality.
Making the Best Out of A Factory Visit How
We got to check two designs that day. This one has an additional velcro closure.
Making the Best Out of A Factory Visit – How?
3. Understanding the Production Process
The production process is the key to understanding how your factory works. A factory that does not produce can’t deliver. A crucial thing to know when working with a factory is how it makes its products.
This is a very important step because it will help you understand the challenges that your product faces and how it can be improved. It also helps us to plan better so we can design new products around the existing capacity of the factory and machines.
4. Factory Work Ethics and Core Values
It is certainly crucial to know where products come from. We do not want to associate ourselves with factories that do not ensure the well-being of employees.
With good working conditions, it means that employees are productive and motivated to produce high-quality goods. Therefore, it is important to take time off to view the working environment.
Moreover, it is also important to get a third party to assess the quality and reputation of the factory you are working with. ODM offers comprehensive factory audits in China based on the SEDEX 4-pillar review. To learn more about it check out the blog below:
Overall, factory visits play an integral part in building a brand’s image. It is also to ensure quality will not be compromised during the production process and that instructions are clearly communicated across.
At ODM, we not only specialize in brand packaging design and manufacturing of high-quality products, but we also help evaluate factories through factory visits and SEDEX audits. For design works, you can rely on our product designers at Mindsparkz.
Should you need assistance on cooler bags, do send us an inquiry! The product code is ODM-2241 and ODM-2242.
Watch our video for information regarding our factory visit:
Related Blogs:
We have recently visited a plush toy manufacturer and here’s what we found out:
Learn why it is crucial to conduct factory visits in China factories:
Thinking of manufacturing in China? It’s important to learn the culture and customs of the people you are working with. And what better way to learn all that than through a factory visit?
