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Stage 5 of 6 — 4–10 weeks
Checked while the balance is still unpaid
Production runs against the approved sample and the agreed specification, with the schedule tracked and the factory in regular contact. Inspection happens in China, before the container sails and while you still hold the balance payment — which is the only point at which a problem is an adjustment rather than a dispute with a company in another country.
The manufacturing agreement is written before production starts and covers specification, quantity, tolerance for defects, lead time, packaging, tooling ownership and what happens when something is wrong. Most production disputes are really disagreements about a term nobody wrote down.
Inspection happens at three points, and each answers a different question. Pre-production confirms the materials and components staged are the ones specified. In-production catches a systematic fault while there is still a run left to correct. Pre-shipment checks the finished goods against the golden sample, by drawing cartons across the lot rather than accepting the ones stacked by the door.
Our own people attend the factory. Where you want a report with a name on it that is not ours, we arrange an independent third-party inspection body instead — that is a different thing, and it is the honest option when the stakes or the relationship call for it.
Defects are reported with photographs, quantities and the sampling method used, so you can decide. Rework, discount, partial acceptance and rejection are all legitimate answers and they are yours to choose between.
Manufacturing agreement
Specification, quantity, defect tolerance, lead time, packaging and tooling ownership, in writing.
Production scheduling
Factory communication
In Mandarin, in their working hours.
Progress monitoring
Pre-production inspection
The materials and components staged are the ones specified.
In-production inspection
Catches a systematic fault while there is still a run left to correct.
Pre-shipment inspection
Finished goods against the golden sample, cartons drawn across the whole lot.
Independent third-party inspection
Arranged with an inspection body that is not us, where you want the report to be independent of the party managing the project.
Packaging inspection
Defect reporting
With photographs, quantities and the sampling method stated.
Final quality approval
Before the balance is released.
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