{"id":1159,"date":"2017-11-29T06:00:16","date_gmt":"2017-11-29T06:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/insider.utelier.com\/?post_type=toolkit&p=1159"},"modified":"2019-07-30T11:27:42","modified_gmt":"2019-07-30T10:27:42","slug":"11-ways-screen-fashion-factories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fashioninsiders.co\/toolkit\/top-tips\/11-ways-screen-fashion-factories\/","title":{"rendered":"11 ways to screen fashion factories before working with them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once you\u2019ve done your research and narrowed the selection down to 3-4 fashion factories, it\u2019s time to start asking questions. The point of this is to gain as much information about each factory and their set-ups as you can, so approach this as if you were interviewing a potential partner for your company. <\/span><\/h2>\n

Your relationship with your manufacturer is one of the most important relationships your company will have. As such, they need to be responsible, trustworthy and reliable. They will need to produce a well-made product, that\u2019s also competitively priced and delivered when you require it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Your approach should be friendly with an attitude that says \u201cI am a brilliant company and I\u2019d love to work with you.\u201d\u00a0 Flatter them. However, try not to get too excited until you\u2019ve asked some pertinent questions. <\/span><\/p>\n

The initial contact with any potential factories should be to determine what kind of manufacturing they do and whether they\u2019re a good fit for your particular needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s a short outline of the key questions to ask any fashion factories you are considering to work with, as part of your research process:<\/h3>\n

1. What is their speciality?<\/h3>\n

What does the factory make or specialise in producing?<\/p>\n

This is an important question to ask, even if you think you know. It is worth reaffirming\u00a0and letting them describe in their own words what they are best suited for and proud to make.<\/p>\n

Often factories will try to give a very broad answer, and your mission will be to narrow this as much as possible. The fear of losing potential business makes many a factory think of themselves as a “Jack of All Trades.” But we all know the old adage:\u00a0 A Jack of all trades is\u00a0master of none. Make sure you have a good understanding of the main focus of their work.<\/p>\n

Ask alternative questions that will identify what their “forte” is. Ask them perhaps to single out things that they do NOT do too. Ideally, you want to know what is it that they are best at manufacturing and people know and recommend them for.<\/p>\n

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2. Are they taking new customers?<\/h3>\n

One of your first questions to a potential business partner is whether they\u2019re taking on new customers. Sometimes “No” means that they\u2019re too busy at this particular time, but they may be open to a future relationship.<\/p>\n

In this instance, it\u2019s a good idea to stay in touch and update them with progress reports.<\/p>\n

3. What additional services do they provide?<\/h3>\n

In addition to cutting and making your products, will the factory be able to provide any extras? <\/span><\/p>\n

Some garment factories offer pattern cutting and grading services. Others also offer to make your Spec Packs (also referred to as a Tech Pack)<\/a>. In addition to this, they may also produce samples, source fabrics, and trims as well as packaging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a smaller company, it often makes sense to source these things through the manufacturer, as they should be in contact with suppliers and may have better buying power. These price reductions should be passed on to you, meaning you\u2019ll get better prices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Sampling Charges<\/h3>\n

Before you move to production \u2013 be it for an existing product or an initial idea\u00a0\u2013 most brands will have to sample the product in order to approve the make and agree on the price.<\/p>\n

The process of sample development and sampling is a laborious one, and costly! Most factories will tell you that the time and effort they spend on sampling is rarely realised and properly expensed. Often, especially with smaller brands and startups, samples either don’t make it to production at all or the orders are small and don’t fully justify the effort and time spent on sample development.<\/p>\n

As a result, most factories charge extra for the samples. Some charge a one-off development fee, others charge double the production cost of the product and more and more factories are starting to charge both \u2013 a one-off fee and double production cost.<\/p>\n

Be clear on how they work, how they charge, how long they take to turn around samples, how they deal with revisions and reiterations of a sample before you start.<\/p>\n

Sample development is costly and if you are not clear on the charges, you may not make it to production.<\/p>\n

5. What is their minimum order quantity for production (MOQ)?<\/h3>\n

This is a very important question and one that is multi-faceted. <\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019re basically asking them what is the minimum amount of product they will produce for you in a single order. This doesn\u2019t just relate to the number of pieces, however, as you need to ascertain whether this is per style, size, and\/or colour. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, a factory that produces 400 pieces per order across all colour-ways and sizes, isn\u2019t a huge amount. However, it starts to get more expensive when their minimums are 400 per each style, colour and<\/em> size! <\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine if you were producing four different styles of a top with three colour-ways and three sizes in each style. With a minimum order of a whopping 14,400 units that\u2019s a different ballgame entirely.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Code of conduct<\/h3>\n

In light of the poor conditions and use of child labour in some fashion factories, it\u2019s important to check whether the factory is fully compliant. Ask to see a client list as this will give you an idea of the type of clients the factory is employed by. <\/span><\/p>\n

Does the factory comply with the following:<\/span><\/p>\n