Some online manufacturers offer cheaper eyewear alternatives. Especially many people are falling for these somewhat “good deals.” What they forget to consider is that there are a lot of opportunistic sellers out there. They might sell prescription glasses that don’t precisely fit your needs as a business.
Reliable eyewear manufacturers are honest and experienced. The producers must follow safety standards. Plus, you should feel comfortable communicating with them.
Learn all the information you have to know before buying anything. Who said you have to learn the hard way? With all the facts compiled in this article, you will get the best out of your money.
11 Traits of Reliable Eyewear Manufacturers
Poor eyewear manufacturers can cost you more than you think. Meanwhile, investing in a good one can save you a lot (even from an expensive lawsuit!). So what facts should you know to avoid this problem?
Here are traits you should look for in eyewear manufacturers. Know this before you finally decide to get your supply from them.
1. They Sell Specific Products
There are a lot of opportunistic traders out there. They sell a range of goods they don’t manufacture on their own. So one of the factors that you should look for in a new supplier is if the manufacturer is an OEM.
Look at the capability, expertise, and experience in manufacturing. These factors should be in line with the same product you want to have. Browsing Alibaba for a few minutes will help you see a lot of suppliers. Some offer products that are different and vast.
There are plenty of reliable manufacturers that sell related products. Yet, it will look for manufacturers specializing in the item you want.
For example, if you are looking for quality reading glass lenses, look for a lens manufacturer. But, don’t opt for a frame manufacturer selling lenses as a side business. These traders are usually unable to offer a long-term product supply.
2. They Follow Product Safety Compliance
Before doing business with manufacturers, you should first check their product safety compliance. Now, there are a lot of standards and regulations surrounding different products. From this, you should learn the rules that apply to your product. Then, check if the manufacturers you’re eyeing comply in these areas.
Learning all these can be a challenge. But, remember that reliable Quality Control companies can help you with this. How? By providing specific details about your region. Now, it doesn’t mean that a supplier without this can’t manufacture good items. Yet the risk is much higher with them, so steer clear!
Buyers have to keep up to compliance with one or more product standards. There’s a lot of safety standards and regulations you should take note such as:
- Chemical and substance regulations (e.g., REACH and FHSA)
- Product packaging regulations (e.g., PPPA)
- Physical and mechanical regulations (e.g., ASTM and EN ISO)
- Toys and children’s product regulations (e.g., EN 71 and CPSIA)
- Labeling regulations (e.g., Tariff Act of 1930)
- Textiles regulations (e.g. OTEXA)
Non-compliant items may end up in a forced recall. Some even have their cargo seized by customs. It might cost you all the products you intend to sell.
The liability of personal injury or harm is a significant factor to consider as well. For example, you could face lawsuits and large payouts if your products are harmful.
3. They Have Significant Registered Capital
It is a perfect way to see a manufacturer’s scale of operations. However, if you know a company with a small amount of registered capital, you may doubt a little.
You might start to question, “what amount of capital is enough”? The answer is straight and simple. The capital varies between different industries. But with a quick look, you can compare a few companies to gain insight into the industry’s standards.
For example, for Chinese eyewear manufacturers, a total of 6,000,000 RMB might be a good amount of capital.
4. They Have Strict Substance Control Over Their Products
Some substances are not allowed in most markets. Some are under strict regulation. So it is something you should keep in mind.
Whatever law is present, warning labels are essential. What if some ingredient causes impotence or cancer? Your customers should know what’s in your product.
Only a small group of manufacturers know the chemical makeup of what they sell. Thus, focus on buying from suppliers that are aware and transparent.
The issue is not with the final assembly manufacturer, but it’s with the sub-suppliers. They are in charge of the raw materials and other components in the product. You should follow all substance regulations. Make this a priority. Speak with your QC Company to run through the details.
5. Transparency and Integrity
Manufacturers who don’t allow any inspection, or audits have something to hide. It is a major red flag. Don’t overlook this. You should look for ways to remove them early.
An excellent way to get rid of them is by telling them through regular inspections and sample testing. It will scare away scammers and low-end factories. Not to mention saving more time and money.
Make it clear that you will not transfer any money before a signed sales agreement. Manufacturers that refuse to sign sales agreements have ulterior motives.
Serious manufacturers wouldn’t hesitate to provide access to their documentation.
6. Fair Pricing
People assume that this should be at the top of the list. Pricing is indeed essential. Yet it only means something if you could access the product.
The items should be able to follow the product safety standards in your country. It would be a waste of time (and a huge bummer!) to negotiate prices with a manufacturer and end up with nothing. Who would want to go through all that?
Keep in mind: A low price does not mean it’s a good deal. Many suppliers quote their low prices to get the buyer’s attention (it’s not a new tactic, but it still works). But, they usually have bad intentions.
Some producers might have a plan to increase the price moments before the order. Worse, some could use cheap and low-quality materials that you’re not expecting. Good vetting and quality control can prevent any of these disasters from happening.
7. Their Main Export Market Is to an Established Market
Not all reliable manufacturers supply only to established markets. Yet, the ones who do can maintain a higher quality standard. These markets are in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia.
It means they have a lower defect rate. You should look at the manufacturer’s main export markets. Why? It can save you a lot of browsing time.
8. Prides Themselves to Have High Standards
The definition of a “good manufacturer” does not end in producing high-quality items. It is not always the basis. Remember H&M? They can’t compete with Dior in quality and design.
Yet based on sales in the last decade, nobody is going to be calling H&M a “Bad Company.”
It applies to manufacturers, too. Ensure that the supplier is capable and willing to make changes. Products should meet your desired quality. Do this before making any transaction.
9. Effective In-House Quality Management Systems
There’s no perfect manufacturer. Yet, you should note that it’s not a matter of “if”. There will be defective items for sure. But you need to eliminate it before your customer sees the defects.
A significant way to lower the number of defective products is by monitoring. The monitoring should see the products before, during, and after production. This process is a Quality Management System or QMS. It looks roughly like this:
- Inspecting of materials and components
- Visual inspection checkpoints (Spotting cosmetic and functional defects)
- Visual inspection and functional testing of assembled units.
A QMS will also show the handling of defective units. It will also record the transaction for future reference and statistics.
One of the most common QMS used by Chinese manufacturers is ISO 9001. The complaint supplier will provide you with an ISO certificate. It contains records from previous inspections. If they give this information even before you ask for it, that is a good sign.
What matters most is a detailed explanation. The manufacturer should provide a detailed description of their QMS set up. The records should support their claims.
10. Offers Product Design Input
You should consider the manufacturer’s production capability. Can it make your product designs? It includes dimensions, and materials, among others. These are factors you should keep in mind. Manufacturers who can’t give you this are often disorganized and incompetent.
The manufacturer should tell you about the design input. What can they do? Any limits? They should be able to offer you in-house design. Or at least some kind of support. It includes help with product labeling design, packaging, among others.
11. Values Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property theft is a significant concern. Unfortunately, it is true for most startups and small businesses. So how can you curb this? First, take the necessary steps to secure your product. After that, there’s no need to worry.
Getting Intellectual Property gives your product protection. It may include patents or trademarks.
You should protect anything included in your product, like:
- Product design drawings
- Logos and brand names
- Descriptions
- Packaging design etc.
With this, you can rest assured that manufacturers can’t copy your designs and get away with them.
