Start with the product rather than a factory list
Separate the package into meaningful categories such as upholstery, timber casegoods, metal furniture and specialist tables. Identify which operations each item needs and ask who performs them. A manufacturer may be well suited to one category without being the best fit for every item. Where work is subcontracted, clarify how specifications, inspection and communication will be controlled across those handovers.
Ask for evidence relevant to your order
Review samples, construction details and the proposed material specification. Ask how the factory will produce the quantity and finish required for your package. Photographs of impressive interiors are not a substitute for an item you can evaluate. If a particular performance requirement applies, request evidence relevant to the proposed product and intended market rather than relying on a general statement about quality.
Check capacity against an actual programme
Ask when materials can be obtained, when drawings can be reviewed and where the order fits in the factory’s production plan. Discuss how changes or corrections will be handled. A large factory is not automatically a better match for a modest package; the important question is whether it can support the agreed quantity, detail and schedule with clear communication.
Use a practical selection record
For an illustrative decision, shortlist two factories that can make the specified table. Compare the approved sample, documented construction, confirmed production plan, packing proposal and clarified quotation. Record unresolved questions separately instead of averaging them away in a score. Select a supplier only after the essential gaps are closed, and retain the evidence that explains why the package was awarded.
Project checklist
Before you approve
- Match the factory’s operations to the item.
- Review product-specific samples and evidence.
- Confirm the proposed production and correction plan.
- Record and close essential unanswered questions.
A useful question
Do all furniture items need to come from Foshan?
No. The package can draw on manufacturers in different Chinese cities according to product capability, specifications and logistics. Our role is to coordinate the agreed package and its handovers. A sourcing location does not imply that we maintain an office in every manufacturing city.