Supplier evaluation checklist — how to vet a sports manufacturer

Six-dimension evaluation framework

• •Legal — registered company, export licence, VAT/GST, tax residency.
• •Capacity — declared monthly output, product mix, seasonal availability.
• •Quality — documented QC procedure, AQL levels supported, third-party lab access.
• •IP — willingness to sign NDA, tooling ownership terms, non-compete clauses.
• •Compliance — factory can operate under buyer-nominated regimes (ISO, BSCI, SEDEX, WRAP, CPSIA, REACH testing programmes).
• •Communication — response time, English fluency of commercial contact, escalation path.

Documents to request up-front

• •Business licence / trade registration.
• •Export licence.
• •Bank confirmation letter (company name matching).
• •Machinery list and factory floor plan.
• •Sample QC reports (redacted).
• •Reference contacts (destination buyers).
• •Any current compliance audit reports.

Red flags

• •Refusal to sign NDA.
• •Personal bank account requested for wire.
• •Fabricated certification claims — always verify certifier and expiry.
• •Prices well below the market median without a materials explanation.
• •Vague answers on capacity or seasonal availability.
• •Sample from a different factory than the quoted address.

Scoring template

Frequently asked questions

How many suppliers should I evaluate before choosing?

For a first bulk programme, three to five is typical. Fewer and you have no comparison; more and evaluation cost outweighs the benefit.

Should I visit the factory before ordering?

Ideally yes. If travel is impractical, book a live video audit and a third-party factory audit report (e.g. Sedex SMETA).

How do I verify certifications?

Every reputable certification body has a public certificate lookup. Ask for the certificate number and verify it directly on the issuing body's site.