Selection Criteria For Outsourcing Leather Goods Production?

[Kamps]

This thread is about the selection criteria for a leather goods workshop / production location.

In my case I am keen to source a production site for messenger bags, weekenders and small travel goods from a workshop in Asia.

I will bring veg tanned leather from Italy, Serafil thread and YKK Excella zippers, so in essence I need select a site based on design capability, available machinery and labor skills. I will be on site myself throughout the production cycle, but as a newbie, selecting a quality partner is tricky.

Anyone with experience in this field?

• A guide to visiting workshops?
• What machinery ticks the box?
• Kind of questions to ask?
• A standard agreement form with details to tick off?

Help is much appreciated.

[johnv474]

Trying to create a checklist like this will end up landing you with a shop that looks good, irrespective of skill, integrity, and loyalty. On paper, Best Buy looks good, when it comes to square footage, lighting, number of brands represented, etc., and yet. In your case, the machinery will depend a lot on what you want to do, what the bags would look like, what construction steps are required, and standards/consistency required.

Ask how long they've been in business with these owners, and since starting. Ask how long they have been doing business with their existing customers. Ask how many long their employees have been with them.

[Nuttish]

You might find Maker's Row and the various fashion startup blogs and books helpful. You're asking questions that require discussion more than an answer.1

[Kamps]

Thanks Nutish, Maker's Row proves extremely useful.
They offer a complimentary 6 days online workshop that takes you by the hand in the selection process.