How to find a manufacturer or supplier
Finding the perfect manufacturer or supplier is one of the most challenging undertakings for brands, particularly for new enterprises.
Traditionally, attending trade fairs, commissioning agents, or utilising government organisations have been the go-to approaches. Today, as the industry’s digital presence increases, approaches like LinkedIn and online directories can also deliver results.
Here’s a brief look at the ups and downs of these approaches:
1. Trade Fairs
Trade fairs offer a rare opportunity for face-to-face interactions with multiple manufacturers in a single day, allowing for direct discussions and relationship building. Some events even let visitors schedule meetings in advance, ensuring quality time with potential partners. When attending, it’s also essential to know what to ask a factory to make the most of your interactions.
What you need to know:
- Trade fairs are typically geared towards larger-scale production.
- Attending requires a significant commitment of time and travel expenses.
- These events are available only at certain times and locations.
2. Agents
Agents can be a great asset for brands with limited sourcing experience. They often have established relationships with manufacturers and can help connect you with suppliers experienced in producing products similar to yours.
What you need to know:
- Agents typically add 5-25% to your production costs.
- You may lose direct contact with the manufacturer.
- Working through an agent limits control over supplier relationships.
3. Government Organisations
Government organisations such as embassies or chambers of commerce can provide valuable access to local suppliers and professional networks, particularly in unfamiliar sourcing regions.
What you need to know:
- Support varies widely depending on the country.
- These organisations may not fully meet the specific needs of consumer product businesses.
- The processes can be slow and involve bureaucratic steps.
4. LinkedIn
LinkedIn offers a platform to network within industry-specific groups and associations. Posting targeted inquiries about materials or minimum order quantities can be an effective way to connect with manufacturers.
What you need to know:
- LinkedIn works best for experienced brands with existing sourcing knowledge.
- It requires time to network effectively and follow up with contacts.
5. Online Directories
Online directories provide access to large pools of manufacturers sorted by speciality. They offer a quick way to find suppliers in specific industries or regions.
What you need to know:
- Manufacturer details on directories can be limited.
- Quality control varies, as manufacturers pay to be listed.
- Vetting and evaluating options can take significant time and effort.
Found a supplier or manufacturer?
SupplyScope offers a more streamlined solution by combining the best of traditional sourcing methods with modern technology. Through Vendor Onboarding with SupplyScope, you can automate the process of discovering, vetting, and onboarding manufacturers, providing several key benefits:
- Time-Saving Automation: Eliminate the manual effort of sourcing by automating supplier discovery, vetting, and onboarding, allowing your team to focus on core activities.
- Pre-Vetted Suppliers: Access a network of pre-vetted manufacturers, reducing the risk of poor-quality suppliers and ensuring a reliable partnership from the start.
- Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure that all suppliers meet regulatory requirements and product compliance standards, reducing the risk of costly mistakes or delays.
- Streamlined Supplier Relationships: Manage the entire supplier relationship through one platform, from onboarding to compliance tracking, enhancing communication and efficiency.
- Customisation for Your Needs: Tailor workflows to your specific product categories and regulatory requirements, ensuring a solution that aligns with your business.
With SupplyScope, you can simplify supplier management, ensure compliance, and bring products to market faster with less risk and effort.
In addition to supplier management, we also offer Fashion PLM Solutions that help brands streamline product development, enhance collaboration with manufacturers, and accelerate time to market, & all that within a single platform.
