10 Questions to Ask Manufacturers Before You Choose

TLDR:

• Choosing a manufacturing partner requires careful evaluation.
• Ask about their track record and quality standards.
• Understand their production process and minimum order quantity (MOQ).
• Clarify lead times, payment terms, and product costs (including shipping costs).
• Check how they manage supply chains and ensure consistent product quality.
• Make sure they can scale with you and support future growth.
• These are the most important questions to ask manufacturers or suppliers when finding a manufacturer to make your product.

Choosing the right manufacturing partner can make or break your business. Whether you’re a startup asking how to find a manufacturer or an established brand searching for a new supplier, the decision requires careful thought. Many entrepreneurs quickly realize that the real challenge is not just finding a factory—it’s choosing the right one.

To help guide you, here are 10 essential questions to ask manufacturers before making your choice. These also serve as questions to ask a supplier to ensure your business receives reliable service, high quality products, and long-term value.

1. What Is Your Track Record?

A manufacturer’s track record is one of the most telling indicators of whether they can meet your expectations. Ask how long they’ve been in business, what industries they’ve served, and whether they can provide references. An established record shows they’ve weathered challenges and continuously improved.

2. What Quality Standards Do You Follow?

Product quality is non-negotiable. Ask about their quality standards, certifications, and inspection processes. Do they follow ISO or other international benchmarks? Will they provide testing data or inspection reports? A good manufacturer should have clear systems to ensure you consistently receive high quality products.

3. What Is Your Production Process?

Understanding the production process gives you insight into how your product will be made. Ask about the equipment, materials, and steps involved. Clarify whether they handle all stages in-house or outsource certain tasks. Transparency here helps you spot potential risks, delays, or cost increases.

4. What Are Your Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) Requirements?

Every manufacturer has a minimum order quantity (MOQ). This can make or break the feasibility of working together, especially for smaller businesses. Knowing the MOQ upfront helps you plan inventory, cash flow, and storage needs. If their MOQ is too high, you may need to keep looking.

5. What Are Your Lead Times?

Lead times affect your ability to meet customer demand. Ask how long it takes from placing an order to receiving finished products. Clarify timelines for prototypes, initial production runs, and large-scale orders. A reliable manufacturer should provide consistent timelines and communicate openly about delays.

6. What Are Your Payment Terms?

Clear payment terms prevent financial surprises. Some manufacturers may require full payment upfront, while others offer deposits with final payments upon shipment. Understanding terms around deposits, payment schedules, and currency options helps you manage cash flow effectively.

7. How Do You Handle Supply Chains?

With global manufacturing, supply chains can be complex. Ask where they source raw materials and how they manage disruptions. Do they have backup suppliers? Can they guarantee availability during shortages? A resilient supply chain reduces risk and ensures your production stays on track.

8. What Are the Product Costs and Additional Fees?

It’s not just about the base product costs. You’ll also want to ask about packaging, setup fees, and potential price changes with volume. Understanding the full cost breakdown—including shipping costs—allows you to accurately calculate margins and set fair prices for customers.

9. How Do You Ensure Product Quality Over Time?

Initial samples might look perfect, but maintaining product quality during mass production is critical. Ask about internal audits, ongoing inspections, and how they handle quality issues when they arise. A reliable manufacturer should demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.

10. How Can You Support My Business Growth?

Finally, think long term. The best manufacturing partner is one who can scale with you. Ask whether they can handle larger orders in the future, adapt to new product designs, or meet stricter quality standards as your business evolves. Their willingness to grow with you is a strong sign of a valuable relationship.

Putting It All Together

When you’re finding a manufacturer to make your product, these 10 questions will give you clarity and confidence. To recap, here’s a condensed list:

• What is your track record?
• What quality standards do you follow?
• What is your production process?
• What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
• What are your lead times?
• What are your payment terms?
• How do you handle supply chains?
• What are the full product costs and shipping costs?
• How do you maintain product quality over time?
• How can you support my business growth as a manufacturing partner?

The Bottom Line

Knowing the right questions to ask manufacturers is just as important as knowing how to find a manufacturer. These questions will help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure your partner can deliver high quality products at a fair price. By asking about lead times, MOQs, product costs, payment terms, supply chains, and quality standards, you’ll be well on your way to finding a reliable, long-term manufacturing partner.

The key to success isn’t just finding a manufacturer to make your product—it’s finding one who shares your commitment to excellence, transparency, and growth.

Learn more about what makes RCO Engineering a valuable manufacturing partner.