Beata Leyland
Business Owner & Author of this article
Think about such a meeting as an awkward date when both parties ask very direct questions to understand if they are a good match.
Intrigued ?
I always recommend my clients to visit a manufacturing plant before signing a final contract.
Why?
Because samples can tell you a lot about a company but such a visit even more.
This article was requested by many of my clients, so here we go.
A manufacturing plant is a facility, factory, a place where raw materials, and parts are turned into finished goods.
Many call them factories, or copackers depending on the scope of support.
Many times, it is a sizeable facility, with special machinery and qualified people who know how to operate such machines.
Some do only assembly, some process raw materials, and assemble finished goods.
If it’s a big facility you will be shown the most crucial places, to show off capacities.
A company might show you their robots or ask a warehouse manager to do a small tour to show you how the production process looks like almost step by step.
It’s very useful knowledge for you.
Ask questions, try to be as attentive as possible because in the future, understanding of the method how your factory works can save you lots of time and stress.
Observe how employees work and behave, what’s the flow of production.
If something bothers you, ask for clarification.
Make sure you follow all the instructions of your guide.
Manufacturing plants can be dangerous if safety practices are not followed.
Be cautious and respectful.
If you want to use the restroom, do it before the tour as sometimes such tour might take 1-2 hours.
If you have any preexisting health conditions, it’s important to inform the factory upfront about it.
In this case don’t assume, just ask or by choosing us we will help you with preparation and we will simply go with you.
Work on your bias.
The fact that you don’t understand something it doesn’t mean it is stupid or unnecessary.
Know-how is more complex than we think and what might look silly and unnecessary in one place is crucial for another.
What is the most important is to stay open.
If you choose to visit a manufacturer before signing a contract, make sure you read this article upfront as a guide, a preparation but also useful case study.
Before your visit make sure you book a date a few weeks upfront to give the other side time to safely walk you through it.
Visitors need to be safe and such a visit must be delegated internally to make sure your safety is maintained and assured.
I wouldn’t wear a suit, but rather something business causal and comfortable because you might receive mandatory protecting uniforms for your shoes and clothes so high heels might not be a good idea.
To be sure how to dress it’s simply better to ask your manufacturer.
A small clothing factory might not require from your side much thought about clothes when a fastener factory surely will. Better safe than sorry.
Before such visit think why you want to visit the plant at the first place.
What kind of questions do you want to ask?
It’s better to come prepared and break silence than only observe production.
If you don’t know what to ask for, ask about their company growth plan. Or capabilities.
How do they work?
With whom do they work (if they are willing to disclose it)?
As from your side think how you want to position yourself during this trip.
Perhaps consider telling them how you want to grow.
How do you see potential cooperation, and what’s your business plan and plan of growth?
Think about such a meeting as an awkward date when both parties ask very direct questions to understand if they are a good match.
If you want to bring them a small gift like tea, or pralines that’s of course very nice but also learn if this gesture is common for their company culture or country where the manufacturing plant is located. I’ve never met a company who wouldn’t enjoy a small gift, it’s more a matter of adjusting it to the occasion.
Many times, this small gesture breaks the ice and opens up your business partner.
After the manufacturing tour and following discussion you might be also invited for a lunch or dinner.
Make sure you have enough time to attend it.
You will be able to understand with whom you will be working and establish cooperation based on understanding of personality type.
You don’t have to sign a contract already at the factory if you don’t wish to do so.
If you need time, be upfront and give the company a deadline, i.e.. “I will review contract within a week from now.”
Some of my clients would ask about what to do if they are an introvert.
Well, I know many introverts who have made it.
Be positive, be well-prepared and be yourself; that’s the best you can do.
Many times, anxiety comes from the lack of preparation so it’s better to spend some time to prepare yourself before the visit, read about the company, ask questions about the dress code and try to enter the building with genuine curiosity.
It always works!
If you need some help with preparation for such visit just schedule a call with us.
It will be a well invested hour of your time.
No matter if you are our client or not, we can help you overcome all obstacles, real ones and these ones related to your own bias, just be honest.
Call us,
Text us,
Book a Consultation
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