How to search a manufacturing partner in textile world

Study about your product before contacting them, so you may have sufficient data to discuss and a little understanding of technical terms and available options. Study their website to understand what they are doing and what they can do. Good manufacturers mention initial details on their sites to avoid unnecessary contacts. They usually don’t have huge customer relations / call center teams as they have a limited number of customers.

Most important is your contact person; who must have a comprehensive understanding of materials and the production processes. He/she must be available and ready to discuss each and every aspect. Developing a new product needs long discussions and that can’t be done if they are not replying in hours (not in days). There is a time difference between countries and delayed answers can cost whole days and weeks. Assess if the person on the other side is actually your concerned person or just a call center guy with limited technical knowledge. You must discuss things with a relevant person.

The next step is to share your required specifications in detail. Effective Communication is the key to a successful business. Communicating your requirements enables them to focus on specific details. Share your previous problems with fabric, design, finishing, packaging, and delivery, so they may avoid. If you still haven’t selected a specific product then select some items from their website or from any other manufacturer’s website; share the details with them so they may evaluate the textile/garment and suggest options. Remember, finished textile or garments articles consists of a lot of raw materials and processings. Garments factories or textile mills don’t do all by themselves. They outsource many services. Give them space so they may share which aspects are being outsourced. Don’t expect a factory to produce the whole product including zippers and poly bags and cartons all by themselves.

Negotiate prices keeping the quality in mind. Manufacturers keep a standard profit margin. Lowering the prices beyond the minimum can risk quality. Remember, quality can bring you customer satisfaction which boils down to more business. Lower prices can bring you a little more profit margin but not the higher sales. Experienced and talented manufacturers usually have higher prices however, their services justify that.

Usually, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam have similar prices; everyone among them has their own comparative advantage. China is getting expensive but still getting good business due to its established relations, infrastructure, and the supporting industry. Look for recent developments while selecting the manufacturer. You may go for Pakistan; due to current currency devaluation @ 30%, Pakistani products are enjoying matchless price competitiveness. GSP plus also entitles them to tax-free import in the European Union. COVID-19 crisis has also crippled the industry of some of the large textile manufacturing countries including China and India. Select accordingly to avoid unnecessary delays and problems.