Factory capacity claims are easy to state and hard to verify. Buyers need to test whether output promises match real lines, workers, equipment and material readiness.
Capacity is product-specific
A factory may be strong in one product but weak in another variation.
- Check similar product history
- Ask about bottleneck processes
- Review material lead time
Watch for subcontracting gaps
A supplier may rely on outside workshops for key steps.
- Identify outsourced processes
- Ask who controls quality
- Check whether inspection covers outsourced work
Use capacity in order planning
Capacity checks should affect order size and timeline, not just supplier confidence.
- Start with lower-risk volume
- Add production check
- Keep backup supplier options