No undisclosed commission
We are paid by you, on terms agreed in writing. We do not take a second fee from the factory, because you cannot advise on a supplier you are quietly being paid by.
How we work
A process built to remove surprises, not add stages
Seven steps from first conversation to reorder. Each one has an output you can hold us to.
01
Days 1–3
Brief & specification
We turn what you want into something a factory can quote against: dimensions, materials, tolerances, packaging, certification, volume and target landed cost. Where the specification has holes, we fill them before they become variation orders.
Output: Written specification and sourcing plan
02
Weeks 1–2
Supplier discovery & vetting
We build a longlist from our own network and open research, then cut it down through verification: legal entity, export record, capacity, certifications and — where the order justifies it — a factory visit.
Output: Vetted shortlist with audit notes
03
Weeks 2–5
Quotation & sampling
Quotes are normalised into a single comparison so you are not guessing what each price includes. Samples are produced, assessed against the specification and, if needed, revised until one becomes the golden sample.
Output: Cost comparison and approved golden sample
04
Week 5
Contracting & deposit
Terms are documented before money moves: unit price, tooling ownership, inspection standard, lead time, penalties for late delivery and what happens if the goods fail inspection.
Output: Signed purchase agreement and inspection standard
05
Weeks 5–12
Production & quality control
Production is tracked against milestones. Inspections happen during the run and before shipment, against the AQL you agreed. Defects are reported with evidence and resolved before release.
Output: Inspection reports with photographic evidence
06
Weeks 10–16
Freight, customs & delivery
We book freight, consolidate shipments where it saves money, prepare export documentation and track the shipment through customs to your warehouse.
Output: Complete document set and delivered goods
07
Ongoing
Review & reorder
After delivery we review what went wrong and what it cost, feed it back into the specification, and hold the supplier to the same terms on the reorder — which is where most of the savings actually accumulate.
Output: Supplier scorecard and reorder terms
Timings are indicative. Categories with tooling, regulated testing or seasonal factory capacity run longer, and we will say so before you plan around a date.
Principles
Four rules we do not bend
The process above works because of these. Without them it is just a diagram.
Verify, then trust
Documents get checked against registries, not taken at face value. Samples get measured, not admired. Trust is built from a track record, not a first impression.
Write it down
Specifications, inspection standards and terms exist as documents both sides have signed. Almost every dispute we have seen traces back to something that was only ever said on a call.
Bad news early
If a line is running late or a sample failed, you hear it that day. Late problems are expensive; early problems are usually just decisions.
FAQ
Process questions
How long does a first order take, start to finish?
For a straightforward product with no tooling, eight to twelve weeks from brief to delivered goods is typical. Custom tooling or regulated categories add four to eight weeks. We give you a dated schedule once the specification is settled.
Who holds the relationship with the factory?
You do, unless you prefer otherwise. We are comfortable introducing you directly and staying on as the quality and logistics layer — our value is the process, not gatekeeping a contact.
What if we need to switch suppliers mid-programme?
We keep a validated second source on any category you reorder regularly, so a switch is a planned move rather than an emergency. Tooling ownership terms are negotiated up front for exactly this reason.
Do you visit factories in person?
Yes, where the order value or risk justifies it. For smaller orders we use a combination of documentary verification, video walk-throughs and third-party inspection agencies.
Start a conversation
Tell us what you need to buy.
Send a specification, a sample, or even a photo and a target price. You will get a considered reply — sourcing options, indicative costs and realistic lead times — not a sales pitch.