Initial Factory Evaluation
The initial factory evaluation (IFE) is an audit to carry out before committing to a supplier. Cheaper than a full technical audit, it suits a one-off order; for a lasting relationship, the technical audit is preferable.
Also called
- Initial factory evaluation (IFE)
- Factory evaluation
- Supplier pre-assessment
- Factory check
Initial Factory Evaluation
Before engaging in any contractual relationship with a supplier it is important to conduct an audit.
In most cases, a full technical audit might be preferred if you are aiming at a long-term and regular collaboration with a particular manufacturer. IFE, on the other hand, is a less expensive solution before placing a one-shot order for example.
Why is it important to verify a supplier?
Meeting a supplier at a trade show or through an internet platform will never be enough to genuinely assess the factory's capacity to fulfill your requirements. This evaluation is definitely worth the cost.
Leaving your production in the hands of the first self-proclaimed supplier would be too much of a risk.
The criteria checked and scored during our IFE:
Initial Factory Evaluation: at a glance
- When
- Before a first order with a new supplier
- Where
- On site, at the factory
- Scope
- Shorter than a full technical audit
- Best for
- One-off orders
- Price
- On quotation
What does it cost?
Audits are quoted case by case, according to the factory size and the scope of the audit.
See prices and termsHow an initial factory evaluation runs
- Your product and orderYou tell us what you want to make, in what quantity and to which market; we adapt the evaluation grid.
- Arrival and identityThe auditor checks the business licence and that the address is a real production site, not a trading office.
- Facilities and capacityProduction lines, equipment and workforce are compared with your order.
- Quality controlsIncoming, in-line and final controls in place, testing equipment.
- ReportA score on each criterion, photos, and a clear opinion on whether the factory can make your order.
What to send us
- Supplier name, address and contact
- Your product, quantities and target market
- Any document the supplier already sent (licence, certificates, catalogue)
What a factory evaluation cannot tell you
- The quality of your future order: it is checked by inspections, from the initial production check to the pre-shipment inspection.
- Who owns the company and its legal history: see due diligence.
- The depth of the quality system for a lasting relationship: see the technical audit.
Supplier assessments compared
Due diligence tells you who the supplier is; the audits tell you what the factory can do and how it works. Choose according to the stakes of the relationship.
| Assessment | How | The question it answers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Due Diligence | Desk research in local databases and a short interview in Chinese | Does the company exist, hold its licences, and who decides? | Any new supplier met online or at a trade show |
| Initial Factory Evaluation | Factory visit, shorter scope | Can this factory make my product to my requirements? | One-off order |
| Technical Audits | Factory visit, full scope | Is the quality system strong enough for a lasting relationship? | Regular supplier, strategic product |
| Social Audit | Factory visit, records and interviews (SA 8000 reference) | Are working conditions acceptable? | Brands exposed on ethics, retailer requirements |
| Environmental Audit | Factory visit, from basic evaluation to ISO 14001 audit | Does the factory manage its environmental impact? | CSR policy, regulated processes (chemicals, dyeing, coating) |
Evaluate your next supplier
Get a clear view of a factory's capacity before you order.
Frequently asked questions
IFE or full technical audit: which one?
The full technical audit if you aim for a regular, lasting relationship; the cheaper IFE before a one-off order.
Why evaluate a supplier met online or at a trade show?
A trade show or an online platform never tells you whether the factory can really meet your requirements. The evaluation is well worth its cost compared with the risk of giving production to the first supplier you meet.
How is it different from due diligence?
Due diligence checks who the supplier is (licences, shareholders, litigation). The IFE assesses its ability to produce to your requirements, on the criteria listed above.