1,000+
15 export clusters
7-10 working days
20-30 days typical
BSCI · Sedex · SA8000 · WRAP
USA · UK · EU · GCC · AU
What factory sourcing includes
Factory sourcing is not the same as supplier identification (which is a broader net-cast) or product sourcing (which is category-first, factory-second). Factory sourcing is manufacturer-specific: given a written buyer brief with product category, target retail, MOQ, certifications and shipping calendar, factory sourcing produces a shortlist of two-to-three specific Indian factories capable of executing that programme.
The output is a factory shortlist document containing: factory legal name and address, ownership structure, floor size, machinery inventory, capacity calendar for the buyer's ship window, audit history (BSCI / Sedex / SA8000 / WRAP scores), export track record (to which buyer markets, in which categories), banking references, and quoted FOB with sample cost and lead time. Shortlist delivery is 7-10 working days from a signed brief.
Our factory-sourcing methodology
Step 1 — Brief interpretation
Every factory-sourcing engagement starts with a written buyer brief. Where the brief has gaps (typical: MOQ realism, certification requirements, packaging specification), our team fills them in against our category-standard reference documents before any factory outreach.
Step 2 — Cluster mapping
We map the brief against India's 15 export clusters to identify which clusters realistically deliver the category × MOQ × certification × price combination. Some briefs (small-batch premium handicraft) collapse to two-three clusters; others (mass-market retail) may span five-six.
Step 3 — Factory identification
Against the identified clusters, we identify 5-10 candidate factories from our vetted network. Vetting includes: on-file factory audit within the last 12 months, verified capacity data, export track-record cross-checked with DGFT records, banking reference cleared.
Step 4 — Shortlist to 2-3 factories
From the 5-10 candidates, we shortlist 2-3 based on capacity availability for the buyer's ship window, price-band fit, sample-development speed and category-specific track record. Shortlist rationale is documented — no black-box recommendations.
Step 5 — Sample development
Buyer approves shortlist and commissions samples. Sample development typically runs 20-30 days for standard product, 45-60 days for new-tooling. Golden sample sign-off is a formal buyer-approval milestone before any production PO is placed.
Vetting criteria — what disqualifies a factory
Roughly 30% of factories that apply to join our network are disqualified at first audit. Common disqualifiers:
- Sub-standard fire safety, exit accessibility, or worker safety — automatic disqualification, no remediation.
- Child-labour or forced-labour findings — immediate and permanent disqualification.
- Undisclosed sub-contracting — factories that quote for orders they don't actually manufacture on-site.
- Banking irregularities — GST filings, IEC (Import Export Code) status, or income-tax returns showing pattern issues.
- Failed reference calls with previous buyers — no exceptions.
- Inability to produce a valid factory licence, pollution consent, or building safety certificate on demand.
Buyer confidentiality and IP protection
Factory sourcing for design-sensitive programmes (product development, private-label, licenced brands) requires strict IP protection. Every factory in our network signs a mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA) as a condition of onboarding. Additionally, for buyers running proprietary designs, we operate a controlled-disclosure model: designs are shared with the shortlist only after each factory signs a programme-specific NDA that binds them to non-copying, non-resale and destruction-of-samples obligations. This model has held for 23 years across every category we run.
Frequently asked
FactorySourcingIndia—commonquestions.
How is factory sourcing different from product sourcing?
Product sourcing starts with the category ('I need brass pendants') and works outward to find the right factory. Factory sourcing starts with the buyer brief ('I need a factory that can run 5,000 units of a brass pendant at $18 FOB with UL certification, ship-ready in 90 days') and works inward to identify specific factories. Product sourcing is exploratory; factory sourcing is executional.
How many factories do you shortlist per brief?
Two to three factories per SKU. Enough to give the buyer meaningful choice on price / lead-time / risk-split, but not so many that comparison becomes noise. For multi-SKU programmes, the same 2-3 factories may serve multiple SKUs, or different SKUs may go to different factories — this is the shortlist output.
Can we work directly with the factory after your shortlist?
Yes — the factory relationship is legally between the buyer and the manufacturer. Our fee covers factory sourcing, sample development, price negotiation, QC and container loading. Once the shortlist is approved and a factory is selected, buyers may transact directly with the factory (with us continuing as QC and coordination agent) or channel commercial documents through us (as buying-office model).
What if the shortlisted factory can't deliver?
Every shortlist includes a backup factory that has quoted for the same programme. If the primary supplier hits a capacity, quality or timeline issue, we can move production to the backup within the sample-approved specification. This risk-split is baked into the shortlist deliverable.
Do you shortlist factories for small-MOQ programmes?
Yes. Our network includes small-batch specialists across every cluster — MOQs from 50 units (furniture, Jodhpur), 100 units (marble inlay, Agra), 300 units (blue pottery, Jaipur; multi-material décor, Noida). Not every category supports single-piece MOQ, but craft-heavy categories often do.
How current is your factory audit data?
We refresh every factory audit within 12 months as a network requirement. Factories that drop below audit maintenance are flagged and typically removed within 6 months. For high-priority buyer programmes, we commission fresh audits on the shortlist before the buyer signs off.
Is there a fee for the initial shortlist?
No. The initial shortlist is complimentary. Fees start once the buyer approves the shortlist and moves to samples. This is aligned with our transparent-fee model — we do not charge for exploratory work.
How do I submit a factory-sourcing brief?
Written brief via /contact or hello@asiasourcing.co.in. Template available on request. Minimum information required: product category, target retail, MOQ, certifications, target ship date, buyer market (US / UK / EU / GCC).
Where this fits
Adjacentservices,categoriesandclusters.
Related services
Product categories we cover
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