Seeking a Clothing Manufacturer
Factors to Consider…
A good manufacturer is one of the most valuable partnerships that a business can make. Working with a factory is essential because, without the knowledge and understanding of how to communicate your ideas and make something from concept to creation, you would be at a loss of how to get to that final step.
It is known within the fashion industry that selecting the appropriate manufacturer to develop the collection of each brand is a challenging process, and it is a critical aspect for the success of all businesses.
As a brand, the first thing that is pertinent to your end success is to set clear values of what you want to communicate to your target. Do you want to communicate Transparency, Quality, Eco-Friendly Values, Work Ethics, and Good Labor Practices?
It is crucial to find a manufacturer that shares the same values as you.
A fundamental step to your brand's success is to research what you want from a manufacturer before blindly choosing one. Look into and analyze the history of the factories you are considering, knowing the years of industry experience they have will help you analyze their credibility. You can always ask them to show samples of their previous work. Analyzing the products they have produced over the years will give you a good gauge of their professional skills and how much they know about the business.
Domestic Manufacturing or Overseas Manufacturing
The largest factor in the decision between manufacturing in America vs Overseas is the number of units and price points. Considering how many pieces you want to produce and what price you can afford to have them manufactured at will help you gauge where you should consider a manufacturer.
In domestic manufacturing, you are closer to the whole process and at times it can seem easier to see what’s going on with your products, however with that comes higher price points. In overseas manufacturing there is a very high work ethic, labor can be cheaper, and it is much easier to access every type of raw material and suppliers, however, many overseas manufacturers produce larger quantities of units.
The most important aspect for long-term success is communication.
Communication is key. Inadequate communication can cost you lots of time and money. Making sure your brand and the manufacturers you are considering can communicate well, will help you reduce the risk of costly errors in the future. In this aspect, it is important to remember we are not talking about language barriers, yet talking about establishing effective channels into your communication strategy.
Good reviews are a great way to build on that reliability.
Asking manufacturers to provide you with a list of their current and past customers can help you gauge who and how they work with other brands. Contacting some of their customers is a great step in your own research about their partnerships. Others’ opinions and the workmanship of their products can mean everything when making a decision.
What certifications does the manufacturer have?
Looking into what certifications a factory holds and what initiatives they are a part of is a good gauge of a manufacturer's merit. Certifications hold a lot of value in the industry and provide another level of proof that the factory has standards. It provides governmental or official validation that a manufacturer has the skills needed to succeed with your business. Certificates are useful to confirm the efficiency, quality, and work ethic of a manufacturer.
After you have clarity of all these points, you can now negotiate and choose a manufacturer that best suits your needs.
A look inside our Chinamine Factories.