| 1 | Supplier capability | Confirm that the supplier has experience producing the rack type, materials, and order volume you require. | Ask about production processes, monthly capacity, quality-control responsibilities, and experience with export packaging. | Factory profile, process flow, recent product references, and a clearly identified quality contact. |
| 2 | Material selection | Check the grade and thickness of steel, aluminum, or other materials, and ensure the specification matches the intended environment. | For damp areas, assess corrosion resistance and coating suitability; do not rely on a material name alone. | Material declaration, thickness measurements, and coating or finish specifications for the quoted model. |
| 3 | Dimensions and capacity | Verify overall dimensions, shelf spacing, usable display area, and the intended load per shelf or rack. | Compare a dimensioned drawing with the available floor or wall space. Treat any load figure as model-specific and confirm how it was tested. | Dimensioned drawing, load-test method and results, and a sample tested in the proposed configuration. |
| 4 | Stability and safety | Review the base, joints, edges, fasteners, and resistance to tipping or wobbling during normal use. | Check the loaded rack on a level surface and assess whether anchoring or anti-tip features are needed for the installation. | Assembly instructions, stability-test details where available, and photos or a sample showing safety features. |
| 5 | Customization | Clarify options for dimensions, finish, color, hooks, shelves, signage, and knock-down or assembled delivery. | Separate standard options from changes that require new tooling, samples, or additional production time. | Approved drawings, finish swatches, a sample sign-off record, and a written list of included custom features. |
| 6 | Finish and corrosion protection | Inspect surface uniformity, adhesion, sharp edges, weld quality, and protection against corrosion appropriate to the use case. | Agree on an inspection method and acceptance criteria before production. Salt-spray test duration is not a universal guarantee of service life. | Finish specification, inspection checklist, and relevant coating or corrosion-test reports for the offered finish. |
| 7 | Quality management | Assess how the supplier controls incoming materials, in-process production, final inspection, and corrective actions. | Ask whether the supplier operates a documented quality-management system and verify the scope and validity of any claimed certification. | Quality procedures, inspection records, and a valid certificate where applicable; ISO 9001 certification is a management-system certification, not product approval. |
| 8 | Market compliance | Identify legal and customer requirements for the destination market, product materials, labeling, and packaging. | Check applicability with an importer or compliance specialist. Requirements vary by market and by material or product use; do not assume one certificate covers every destination. | Applicable test reports or declarations, material information, required labels, and documentation matched to the exact product model. |
| 9 | Sampling and inspection | Use a representative pre-production sample and define how bulk production will be checked against the approved specification. | Record dimensions, finish, assembly fit, packaging, and agreed defect criteria before approving production. | Signed sample approval, inspection plan, production inspection report, and dated product photos. |
| 10 | Packaging and landed cost | Evaluate protection against scratches, deformation, moisture, and loss of parts, as well as shipping volume and total cost. | Request a packed sample or packaging specification. Compare quoted price with tooling, packing, freight, duties, and delivery terms. | Packing list, carton dimensions and gross weight, packaging test details where available, and a written quotation with Incoterms® agreed. |
Your message must be between 20-3,000 characters!