Factory & Supplier Visits
Factory and supplier visits in Bali, seen in person
A factory’s website shows their best work, best photos, and best claims. What it doesn’t show you is the actual production floor, the real size of the team, the quality of materials they actually use, and whether the “factory” is a small garage outsourcing everything to subcontractors. I visit factories so you don’t have to. And I report back honestly, even when the answer isn’t what you were hoping to hear.
What a factory visit covers
The facility itself
Size, organization, equipment, and real capacity. A factory that promises 500 chairs in 6 weeks needs to actually have the capability to produce 500 chairs in 6 weeks.
The team
Who’s actually making your order. Are they skilled, permanent craftspeople or casual workers hired for big orders? For custom or quality-sensitive work, this matters.
Materials and sourcing
Where do they get their teak? How do they dry their timber? Which stone quarry do they work with? I ask these questions in Bahasa Indonesia, and I know when an answer doesn’t add up. Timber grade in particular is where corners get cut, as explained on teak furniture from Bali.
Past work samples
Most workshops keep samples or completed orders on-site. I photograph these and compare them to what they’re proposing for your brief.
My honest assessment
After every visit: a written summary with photos, my recommendation, and any concerns. No fluff.
When to request a factory visit
- Before placing a first-time order with a new supplier
- When a supplier is making production claims you want independently verified
- When you’ve found a supplier online and want an honest on-the-ground assessment
- When your order involves custom design or unusual specifications
How this fits with my other checks
A factory visit is one of three separate checks, and they happen at different moments. Supplier verification comes first, before you commit to anyone. A factory visit happens while your order is being made. Quality control before shipping is the last look, once the goods are finished.
If you want to know what I am looking for and why, read how to find and vet a supplier and how to avoid sourcing scams. Both explain the warning signs in detail, including the ones that only show up in person.
Request a factory visit
Tell me which supplier you want assessed, or let me find options for your brief. I’ll visit, report, and give you an honest picture.