Specification alignment
Prepare a common enquiry brief covering product references, materials, dimensions, planned quantities and packaging.
Mark essential requirements and acceptable alternatives.
SOURCING SERVICE / SUPPLIER & FACTORY SOURCING
Find Chinese suppliers that fit your product brief.
Build a supplier shortlist around your specification, planned quantities and target market. Compare manufacturer and trading-company offers with the same questions before choosing which candidates to review further.
Explore the service scope
SUPPLIER AND FACTORY SOURCING IN CHINA
Start the factory search with a usable specification.
Supplier and factory sourcing in China starts with product drawings or references, materials, tolerances, quantities and packaging requirements. VG Shipping can coordinate an agreed search and collect supplier responses for comparison. Record what each candidate states, which points need evidence and who approves the shortlist. A listing or quotation alone does not establish factory capability.
01 / SERVICE DELIVERABLES
A supplier shortlist with questions answered.
Define the product and comparison criteria before contacting candidate manufacturers.
Supplier candidate research
Collect relevant manufacturer and trading-company information for the agreed product category.
Record the stated business role and the evidence still needed.
Capability questions
Ask candidates about processes, equipment, subcontracting and experience with the requested product.
Decide whether a factory visit, audit or specialist review is required.
Comparable quotations
Compare unit-price basis, minimum quantities, sample terms, tooling and stated exclusions.
Resolve differences in specification before comparing headline prices.
Shortlist and sample handover
Document candidate replies and the buyer’s selected follow-up tasks.
Approve sample requests and further checks before a purchase commitment.
02 / CHOOSE THE SUPPORT SCOPE
Match the support to your buying stage.
Review these situations when defining the supplier & factory sourcing scope.
| Your situation | Support to review | Keep clear |
|---|---|---|
| You need a new manufacturer | Factory candidate research | Define the manufacturing process and capability evidence. |
| You have several supplier quotes | Quotation alignment | Compare the same specification, quantity and inclusions. |
| A candidate needs further checking | Audit or inspection coordination | Select the evidence needed for your buying decision. |
Confirm the deliverables, evidence, fees and buyer approval points before the work is arranged.
03 / SUPPLIER & FACTORY SOURCING WORKFLOW
Supplier & Factory Sourcing in four agreed stages.
Record the current information, unresolved questions and approval needed at each handover.
Prepare the search brief
Share product references, quantities, target market and essential manufacturing requirements.
Agree candidate criteria
Define the supplier type, evidence, deliverables, reporting and service fees.
Review supplier responses
Record unanswered technical and commercial questions before narrowing the shortlist.
Approve the next check
Choose samples, an audit or an inspection scope before ordering or arranging collection.
04 / DEFINE THE EVIDENCE
Separate supplier identity from production capability.
A company record can identify a business, while a production-capability review addresses a different question. Ask which processes are performed at the stated factory and which are subcontracted. Factory audit coordination can help arrange a defined evidence-gathering task.
Explore factory audit coordination05 / RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIMITS
Define the work and the decisions you retain.
Agree these boundaries for supplier & factory sourcing.
| Decision area | Support to discuss | Approval / specialist responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Candidate research | Collect and organise agreed supplier information. | The buyer approves the shortlist and supplier selection. |
| Capability evidence | Coordinate questions, visits or specialist review where agreed. | An appointed auditor defines findings within the audit scope. |
| Samples and product acceptance | Connect sample requests with the stated specification. | The buyer approves samples and any testing or inspection criteria. |
| Commercial commitment | Clarify supplier-stated terms and unresolved points. | The buyer authorises contracts, payment and order changes. |
The proposed service scope, specialist arrangements and charges require confirmation. Coordination does not guarantee supplier or product outcomes.
06 / PREPARE THE HANDOVER
Carry the approved specification into the order.
Keep the accepted sample reference, quotation version and packaging requirements with the purchase order. Order changes need written buyer approval. Supplier selection and procurement follow-up should use the same product record.
Explore purchase order follow-up08 / PREPARE YOUR ENQUIRY
Prepare product records and follow-up questions.
Share the product reference, materials, manufacturing requirements, planned quantity and target market. Add any existing candidates and the evidence you need before selecting a supplier.
SOURCING PREPARATION
Sourcing and Canton Fair Guides
Prepare the product references and supplier questions needed for supplier & factory sourcing.
Explore sourcing guidesSUPPLIER CHECKS
Plan the supplier evidence
Identify which supplier claims need evidence, and keep capability checks separate from product acceptance.
Review supplier managementSHIPPING PREPARATION
Prepare the freight enquiry
Use confirmed packing records, supplier ready dates and a defined destination for the freight handover.
Explore shipping guides09 / PRACTICAL BUYING GUIDES
Prepare supplier meetings, orders and freight enquiries.
10 / SUPPLIER & FACTORY SOURCING FAQ
Questions about supplier & factory sourcing.
Review the service scope, required information and buyer responsibilities before requesting assistance.
What is supplier and factory sourcing in China?
It is a defined search and comparison task covering candidate suppliers, manufacturing questions and commercial replies against a buyer’s product brief. Agree the shortlist criteria and follow-up deliverables before work begins.
Can you look for factories rather than trading companies?
State the supplier type you want and the reason it matters. Candidate research should record each business’s stated role and identify what verification is needed; a claim to manufacture is not proof of capability.
What information is needed for a factory search?
Provide drawings or product references, materials, dimensions, quantity, packaging, target market and timing. Identify requirements that cannot change and alternatives you would consider.
Can existing supplier quotations be compared?
Yes, quotation comparison can be reviewed as a separate task. Provide the complete offers and specification versions so price, quantity, tooling, packaging and exclusions can be aligned.
Does sourcing include a factory audit?
A formal factory audit is a separate scope. Define the site, audit questions, provider, report and any follow-up required before arranging it.
Can samples be requested from shortlisted suppliers?
Sample requests or collection can be coordinated where agreed. Confirm sample charges, courier handling, reference versions and the buyer who will record approval.
Are supplier performance and quality guaranteed?
Research and coordination provide information for the buyer’s decision. They do not guarantee production quality, delivery or commercial outcomes. Define checks and approvals before commitment.
Can sourcing connect with order follow-up and shipping?
After the supplier is approved, purchase-order follow-up and cargo handover can be reviewed. Confirm packed cargo details, collection responsibilities and freight scope separately.
SUPPLIER & FACTORY SOURCING ENQUIRY
Tell us about your supplier & factory sourcing needs.
Share the product reference, materials, manufacturing requirements, planned quantity and target market. Add any existing candidates and the evidence you need before selecting a supplier.
Include the current stage, relevant supplier contacts and the decisions still open. Availability, deliverables, charges and approval responsibilities are confirmed against the brief.