Finding a Manufacturer
There are so many steps involved in bringing your product to life and it’s easy to focus on the linear tasks that make the most sense: Find your fabric, work with a patternmaker, source the trims, etc. However, if you are just getting started it’s never too early to start looking for a manufacturer because it’s going to be a deep dive. Prepare yourself now.
Now, you are probably here looking for a quick link to your manufacturer- Poof! Instant gratification! That’s something that’s in the works.
But wait!
You’ll thank me later if you stop and take the time to read below. I want to save you time and money and most importantly- make sure you find the right production partner. This is critical for your brand and I’ve seen this part of the process overlooked too often to the detriment of the significant investment you may be planning to make.
Not all manufacturers can make your product.
Everyone has their niche. Some factories are really good with working with silk fabrics and others wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole. You wouldn’t approach someone who makes handbags to make your tailored jackets. Two separate skill sets here.
When you meet a factory it’s ok to ask what their speciality is or what they do best with. What kind of products do they usually make? Would they feel comfortable with your type of product? If they tell you they make everything, be suspicious.
On a sidenote to this, if your products vary, you may find yourselves working with different manufacturers for different items. For instance, you have a sweater manufacturer and someone else who makes your tshirts.
Manufacturers are everywhere, not just New York
Remember those designer jeans you had to have when you were in high school because they were a status symbol? Yeah, that’s the impression that I get when I hear the names of the same manufacturers in NYC from any beginners to the garment industry when I ask them about how they are producing. Don’t get me wrong, there are some really good manufacturers in NYC, but I’m more impressed by designers who have done the leg work and are working with different manufacturing facilities across the country. Heck, even expand your search to the outer boroughs of the Bronx and Queens and into Long Island!
Your manufacturer does not need to be within driving distance
I know a lot of people feel better if they find someone local to them so you can keep an eye on things. Honestly, if you are working with professionals along the way, there should be nothing that you have to keep an eye on. Questions can be answered by emails or a Zoom meeting set up.
Honestly, you may meet with a manufacturer once, maybe twice if you are local to drop off supplies, then you get the heck out of their way. You are not invited to witness your production or participate. If they tell you that you are welcome, then that’s fine, but don’t assume and never be pushy about being present. They have work to do and you will be in the way.
Google is your friend but be suspicious
Where else is better to start your search? Start out with “Apparel Manufacturer [fill in the blank city] or [Fill in the blank state]. But be prepared to go down the rabbit hole through your clicks. What you want is to find a manufacturer. If you find Yellow Page listings for a company that says they are a boutique and manufacturer, more than likely they are not what you are looking for. Also, be aware that many overseas manufacturers have really awesome SEO teams that somehow get their company to show up in search results for, let’s say, Omaha Nebraska when they are actually in Singapore. I don’t know about you, but regardless of what they offer, I always find it a bit sketchy.
Referrals are a Favor, not a Given
It does make sense to ask around, but asking your patternmaker, samplemaker, grader, etc. for who they would recommend for manufacturing is actually a big ask. Yes, we know people, but if you end up being an unreliable customer that reflects badly on us, so it’s a risk.
Some professionals may have no qualms on this, but in my personal experience, I’ve had too many people ask for referrals then they end up flaking out on whoever I sent them to, wasting a colleagues time.
Do you know what you need?
Be prepared before you contact a manufacturer. Make sure to read this blog post first on having all the information that a manufacturer will need. If you aren’t prepared with this info then you are wasting the manufacturers time.
Keep your options open
Just because you find a manufacturer doesn’t mean you are done. Manufacturing is a very volatile part of the business. You may have a good run with someone, but then on your next production the quality isn’t what you expected. Or the prices have gone way up. Or the factory has to close. Or they ask you take your business elsewhere.
Manufacturing is a relationship. It’s all about finding good production partners. Even as your brand grows it’s always good to have a back up plan because you never know what could happen. It never hurts to chat with new people and have options for just in case situations.