Production Management: Things to Know
Dive into the core of Production Management in China! With China being the world’s manufacturing hub, businesses seeking seamless operations should entrust their production with a reliable supplier.
Today, we unravel key elements like IPC/FRI Quality Control and production timelines, offering a comprehensive guide for businesses searching for a trusted partner to navigate the intricacies of Chinese manufacturing. Beyond the technicalities, we explore how a seasoned intermediary can adeptly manage factory closures during Chinese holidays, ensuring uninterrupted progress. Join us for a quick, insightful tour of the essentials, making your journey through the world of production management both efficient and informed.
ODM’s Key Lead Times
Upon receiving enquiries from clients here is a typical timeline:
- Design: 7 – 14 days
- Quotation: 2 – 3 days
- Sampling (including shipping): 25 – 30 days
- Mass Production + Quality Control: 65 – 95 days
- Delivery: Maximum of 30 days (dependent on destination)
Total: Approx. 150 days
Note: The above showcases a typical timeline for complex custom products which include concept sketches and CAD drawing arrangements from our design team — Mindsparkz, as well as prototyping inclusions. Functional samples — existing samples from factories or our showrooms, will have a much shorter timeline.
Murphy’s Law & China
“Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”
In production management it is always good to take on this belief and keep it in mind from Day 1! However, rest assured as we at The ODM Group pride ourselves on maintaining a robust network of partner factories in China, carefully selected to meet our clients’ diverse manufacturing needs.
Our commitment to excellence extends beyond mere partnerships – we actively engage in stringent quality control measures to ensure that each step of the production process aligns seamlessly with our clients’ expectations. With us, you can rest assured that your products are in capable hands, as we diligently manage and monitor every aspect of the manufacturing journey, eliminating any concerns and allowing you to focus on the success of your business.
Production Management
Now, here are some important things you should know when looking to produce custom products…
Common Production Timeline Definitions:
Sampling time:
The time required for a single run of sampling. If the sample is rejected, factories will need to create a new sample which will take the same time or slightly less depending on requested changes. However, if the product is an original, we will go through the moulding and prototyping stages beforehand which may take anywhere between a few days to a little over 2 weeks.
Mass production:
After the sample is approved, we proceed with mass production which has an approximate timeline ranging between a few weeks and a few months, depending on the quantity and complexity of the products. Notably, information from the original quotation such as the “Quantity”, “Sales price US$ / pc.”, “Packing & Export Carton Dimension / GW”, “Production time” and “Incoterm” all come into play during mass production and shipping.
Important Quality Control Terms:
IPC – Quality Control:
In-Process Controls (IPC) are checks that are carried out before the manufacturing process is completed. It is an aspect of quality control and its sole function is the monitoring and – if necessary – adaptation of the manufacturing process in order to comply with product specifications. This may include control of equipment and environment as well. Notably, IPC materials should be tested for identity, strength, quality and purity as appropriate and approved or rejected by the Quality Control unit during the production process.
FRI – Quality Control:
Final Random Inspections (FRI) are checks that are carried out at the end of production. This means that the whole shipment quantity should be completed and available for sampling. Additionally, packing should be finished for the cartons to be counted.
At this point, three types of issues may result in inspection failure and subsequently the refusal of the shipment by the purchase. These are:
- Conformity to specs
- Number of visual defects
- On-site tests
Nonetheless, you can be at ease knowing that a final random inspection usually takes place in the manufacturer’s factory, performed before the goods are sent out of the factory.
Holidays in China
The promo gift industry is a seasonal business and industry. Therefore, it is critical to take note of the public holidays and festivals happening throughout the year!
Two highly significant and widely celebrated holidays in China stand out prominently: The Chinese National Day holiday (国庆节), observed from the 1st to the 7th of October, commemorates the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. The second noteworthy occasion is the Spring Festival (春节), heralding the Chinese New Year. Undoubtedly, these two Golden Weeks hold paramount importance, being the most renowned and cherished holidays in the Chinese calendar.
Asian Holidays
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