Know Exactly Who You're Dealing With
Before you send a deposit, you need to know the factory is real, capable, and honest. I audit it the way I audit factories for my own businesses — on the details that actually predict whether your order ships right. Led by Wesley Clayton — 15 years importing and producing across China and Vietnam (apparel, medical scrubs, hi-viz, activewear, footwear and PPE).
Most Sourcing Disasters Are Decided Before Production
They start the moment a brand mistakes a trading company for a manufacturer, or assumes a capacity that was never there.
Traders in Disguise
Many 'factories' quietly subcontract your order elsewhere — you lose control of quality and timeline.
Paper Claims, No Proof
Certifications and capacity get claimed verbally and never shown in writing.
No QC System
If quality is one person eyeballing the last carton, your defects are coming.
My Vetting Process
The same checks I run before trusting any factory with money.
Document verification
Business license, registered scope, export records and certifications verified at the source.
On-site or virtual audit
A real look at the floor — production running, machines, worker density, work-in-progress.
Capacity & QC review
Stated capacity stress-tested, and the quality system reviewed for incoming, in-line and final inspection.
Red-flag assessment
I run the factory against the warning signs that separate serious manufacturers from risky ones.
Go / no-go report
A clear recommendation: proceed, proceed with conditions, or walk.
What You Get
Clear, decision-ready deliverables — not vague advice.
Audit Report
Findings across ownership, capacity, and quality systems.
Red-Flag Scorecard
Risks surfaced and rated, with context.
Capacity Assessment
Whether they can truly handle your order.
Clear Recommendation
Proceed, proceed with conditions, or do not proceed.
27 Questions Every Factory Should Answer Before You Place an Order
The questions I ask before recommending any factory in China or Vietnam. Bring them to your next supplier call — instant download, no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you visit the factory in person?
On-the-ground visits and rigorous remote audits are both available, depending on location, timeline and budget.
Can you vet a factory I already found?
Yes. Bring me a factory you're considering and I'll vet it before you commit a dollar.
What's the difference between vetting and verification?
Vetting is the full audit of capability and risk; verification confirms specific claims like licenses, references and samples.
How fast can you turn this around?
Document verification is quick; a full audit depends on access, but I'll give you a timeline up front.
Vet the Factory Before You Commit
FactoryBridge helps brands verify suppliers, interpret factory responses, and reduce sourcing risk across China and Vietnam.