Production follow-up
Know every week where your order stands while it is being made in China
Yeni İpekyolu follows your order in China from deposit to shipment. We monitor raw materials, the production schedule and the delivery date with the factory in Chinese, spot delay risks early and send you regular reports in Turkish.
Production follow-up in China: managing the quiet weeks between deposit and shipment
What lies behind the “everything is fine” message?
A common experience for many Turkish buyers after paying the deposit is to receive only “everything is fine” from the supplier for weeks, and then to hear about a delay a few days before the delivery date. Chinese factories produce for many customers at once and constantly update the line schedule; when a larger or more urgent order arrives, your job may slip down the queue. This usually stems not from bad intent but from managing busy capacity. The outcome for you is the same, though: late stock, a missed season and disrupted customer plans.
Production follow-up makes these quiet weeks visible. At Yeni İpekyolu we ask the factory not just for verbal confirmation but for concrete evidence: photos showing that the raw materials have arrived, images of the goods on the line, completed quantities and whether packaging materials are ready. When needed we make unannounced or short-notice visits to see the reality on site. Having a team that deals with your order regularly naturally influences how the factory prioritises it, too.
The critical path: raw materials, packaging and subcontractors
A large share of delays start not on the factory's own line but in the supply chain behind it. Fabric in a special colour, sheet metal of a specific thickness, a custom-printed box or a surface treatment done outside determines the critical path of the order. When starting production follow-up we identify these critical items with you and get a date from the factory for each. If there is a risk of late raw materials, we discuss options such as an alternative supplier, partial shipment or a change of plan early on.
Using subcontractors is common in China and is not a problem in itself; however, passing part of the work to another workshop without your knowledge can affect quality and timing. During follow-up we ask which stage is done where and, if needed, visit the workshop concerned as well. On the packaging side, the correct printing of Turkish labels, barcodes and carton markings must be checked before shipment; a label error noticed at the last moment can hold up the entire lot.
Planning with the Chinese calendar: Spring Festival and Golden Week
The most decisive period in China's production calendar is Chinese New Year, the Spring Festival. Factories work intensively before the holiday to finish orders and usually stay closed for an extended period during it. After the holiday some workers return late from their hometowns or change jobs, so it can take time for production to get back to full speed. Golden Week in early October has a shorter but similar effect. Working out from the start whether your order falls into these periods is essential for realistic delivery dates.
At Yeni İpekyolu we take this calendar into account when planning orders and, where needed, talk to the factory early so that critical products are finished before the holiday. Because quality risk rises in production rushed before the holiday, we especially recommend an in-process check and pre-shipment inspection for orders in this period. Our weekly reports show you not just today's status but also the risks expected in the coming weeks, so you can plan the commitments you make to your customers with confidence.
For which buyers is production follow-up critical?
Sellers of seasonal products
For products that must arrive for summer, winter, back-to-school or holiday seasons, a delay of a few weeks can mean missing the entire sales period. Follow-up lets you see the risk in time.
Project-based importers
If you are tied to a fixed delivery date for construction, hotel fit-out or corporate projects, we closely monitor every stage of production. You also have progress information ready to share with your client.
Buyers with several orders at once
We bring orders at different factories together in one tracking table. You can see at a glance which is ahead and which is at risk.
What we do as part of production follow-up
Obtaining the production schedule
We obtain a written plan from the factory with dates for raw materials, production start, completion and packing. We compare the plan with your sales calendar.
Weekly progress report
Every week we report completed quantities, photos and status against the plan in Turkish. If there is a deviation we add the reason and a proposed solution.
Critical item tracking
We separately monitor items that can cause delays, such as special raw materials, packaging and outsourced processes. When we see a risk we inform you immediately.
On-site visits
At stages deemed necessary we go to the factory and see production on site. These visits also strengthen the priority the factory gives your order.
Change and issue management
We resolve change requests and problems arising during production with the factory in Chinese. All decisions are recorded in two languages.
Service summary and requirements
| Follow-up regions | Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai and the Beijing area |
|---|---|
| Report frequency | Weekly; more often in critical periods |
| Pricing | Quote based on order duration and number of visits |
| Service languages | Turkish · Chinese · English |
| Cities served | Guangzhou · Shenzhen · Yiwu · Shanghai · Hangzhou · Beijing (coordinated from our Istanbul office) |
The final price and timeline depend on the scope; we send you a clear quote promptly.
What you need to provide
- Proforma invoice or purchase contract
- Approved sample details and product specification
- Factory contact details and production address
- Target shipment date and your sales calendar
How does production follow-up work?
- 1
Taking over the order file
We review the proforma, approved sample, specification and payment plan. Any missing or unclear points are clarified with the factory.
- 2
Plan and checkpoints
We obtain the production plan and define critical items and visit dates. If needed we add an in-process quality check to the schedule.
- 3
Regular monitoring and reporting
We stay in constant contact with the factory via WeChat and phone and send you the weekly report. In urgent cases we inform you immediately.
- 4
Preparing for shipment
Near the end of production we schedule the pre-shipment inspection and check packaging and labels. We coordinate the handover date with the logistics side.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between production follow-up and quality control?
Production follow-up focuses on the process moving forward on time and as planned. Quality control measures and tests goods at a given moment to judge whether they are acceptable; the two work best together.
What can you do if the factory falls behind?
First we determine the real reason for the delay on site. Then we discuss options such as extra shifts, partial shipment, alternative raw materials or a revised plan with the factory, and decide together with you.
Can you start following up after I have already placed the order?
Yes, we can step in at any stage of production. We review your existing correspondence and order documents to establish the situation quickly.
Will the factory mind being followed up?
Follow-up done with professional and respectful communication is normal for Chinese factories. Our approach, in Chinese and in line with local business culture, lets us get information without straining the relationship.
How does Chinese New Year affect my order?
Factories get busy before the holiday, usually close during it and can take time to return to full capacity afterwards. We help you plan your order around this calendar and bring critical products forward.
In what format do I receive the reports?
Reports are prepared in Turkish with photos and short explanations and sent by email or your preferred messaging channel. For several orders we also provide a shared tracking table.
When should I pay the balance?
We usually recommend paying the balance after a successful pre-shipment inspection. Thanks to production follow-up we can time that inspection correctly.
Tell us what you need in China
Our consultant reviews your needs for free and gives you a clear price and timeline.
