MJ
Mark JohnsonOP16d ago
After visiting 6 factories in Yangtze River Delta region last year, I put together this checklist. Hope it helps others planning factory visits.
**Production Facility:**
- [ ] ISO 9001 certificate — check the actual certificate, not just a wall poster
- [ ] CNC machining centers for critical components (bed, ram, side frames)
- [ ] In-house hydraulic cylinder manufacturing or reputable supplier
- [ ] Laser alignment equipment for machine assembly
**Quality Control:**
- [ ] Incoming material inspection records
- [ ] CMM (coordinate measuring machine) for precision parts
- [ ] Final acceptance test procedure with documented results
- [ ] Test reports available for your specific machine
**After-Sales Infrastructure:**
- [ ] Spare parts warehouse (ask to see it)
- [ ] Service engineer headcount and regional coverage
- [ ] Response time SLA in writing
**Red Flags:**
- Reluctance to show production floor
- No English-speaking technical staff
- Vague delivery commitments
- No reference customers willing to be contacted
What would you add to this list?
1 Reply
SM
Sophie Martin#116d ago
Great list Mark. I'd add:
**Financial stability checks:**
- Ask for their export volume (customs data is public in China)
- Check if they're exhibiting at major trade shows (CCMT, EMO, EuroBLECH) — it's a proxy for financial health
- Request bank reference letters for large orders
**Technical depth:**
- Ask who designs their electrical control system — in-house or outsourced?
- Request the hydraulic schematic — a manufacturer who can't provide this is a red flag
- Ask about their R&D team size
I've found that factories with 15+ years of export history and a dedicated export team are significantly more reliable than newer entrants.