I believe that many buyers have encountered the challenge of choosing a professional glove factory in China. Professional gloves refer to gloves with special functions or protective features, such as safety gloves, motorcycle gloves, tactical gloves, ski gloves and firefighter gloves etc.
China is home to hundreds of glove manufacturers, but due to a lack of information of the local industry, many buyers are forced to work with trading companies, which drives up procurement costs. This article was written to help buyers cut out the middleman and save money.
The Challenges of Finding a Reliable Glove Factory in China
Therefore, what are the main reasons why it is difficult to find the right factory for professional gloves? Here are some of my view points:
- There are too many glove factories in China, and the quality of the gloves they produce is uneven. Factories that produce general gloves, such as thread gloves and rubber gloves, are ubiquitous. These factories do not require manual sewing processes. However, there are fewer factories that produce professional gloves. These factories are concentrated in specific areas, and the workers in these areas are also highly skilled. This is because the geographical locations of China’s related industrial clusters are not well known, which makes it difficult for buyers to find the true place of origin of the gloves they are purchasing.
- It can be difficult to connect with the real factory in China. Most of the good quality factories are small and busy processing orders for trading companies and brands. As a result, 95% of factories do not have foreign trade staff and are difficult to find.
- The factory’s contact person has difficulty communicating verbally in English and lacks the ability to solve customer problems.
Despite all of the above, finding the right factory is not as difficult as it may seem. It all starts with understanding the origins of professional glove development in China.
The History of Professional Glove Sewing in China
Sewing is one of the most important steps in the production of professional gloves. The area with the highest sewing technology in China is located in Bayuquan District, Yingkou City, Liaoning Province. The sewing process of leather gloves, such as leather motorcycle gloves, is particularly well-developed in this area. Bayuquan District is also only 100 kilometers away from Dalian Seaport, which gives it a strong geographical advantage for export.
The development of the glove industry in this northern city can be traced back to the arrival of the world’s largest professional glove factory from Korea in 1989. This factory has been cooperating with the world’s top brands (such as Alpinestars, Dainese, and others) to produce all kinds of leather motorcycle gloves, ski gloves, sports gloves, and complex labor protection gloves. The factory is also considered to be the origin of high-end glove sewing in China.
Due to the high work efficiency, low cost, and strong moldability of Chinese workers, this factory has also surpassed its Korean factory to become the world’s largest professional glove manufacturer. Over time, many managers, directors, and employees who left this factory began to start their own factories. As a result, more and more professional glove production factories were born, sewing technology was spread, and the number of sewing workers increased. This led to the development of the professional glove sewing industry in this city. The original Korean factory gradually withdrew from the historical stage, and its business was gradually taken over by other Chinese factories.
How to Choose the Most Suitable Glove Factory in China
After understanding the origin of the industry and its geographical location, the next step is to choose the most suitable glove factory. I believe that the following factors should be prioritized:
- Language communication ability and professionalism. Yingkou is not a large city, so English speakers are very few, mainly concentrated in a few relatively large factories. In recent years, some factories have begun to develop the international market. You can choose factories with good communication skills, such as Addwing Gloves Factory. Their foreign trade personnel have more than ten years of export experience and are familiar with the process of docking with customers. This will make the procurement process for buyers very smooth and save time.
- Whether the factory has OEM for overseas brands. If a factory has OEM experience for foreign brands, it means that they have a good understanding of the quality requirements of foreign orders. This is because foreign brands have high quality standards, and they will only work with factories that can meet their requirements. As a result, factories that have OEM experience for foreign brands can be trusted to produce high-quality products.
- Degree of professionalism: Professional factories can usually provide quotations and proofs based on pictures, samples, or tech packs.
- Production capacity that matches the order quantity: When looking for a glove factory, it is important to make sure that the factory’s production capacity matches your order quantity. It is not advisable to work with factories that are too small or too large. Large factories may not be interested in small orders, and small factories may not have the production capacity or quality control system to meet your needs. The right factory for you will depend on your specific requirements.
How to Ensure the Quality of Your Glove Order
Finally, to ensure that the products on your order fully meet your expectations, here are a few pointers to consider before placing an order:
- Sample confirmation: Before placing a formal order, it is usually necessary to prioritize making samples. You can provide pictures and requirements to the factory, or a full tech pack, and the factory will quote and provide proofs. This will help to confirm whether the size, sewing process, and materials of the gloves meet your requirements.
- Select a third-party testing agency to control product quality. Although the cost of each glove will increase by a few yuan, it will save a lot of trouble in the future. After testing, unqualified gloves will be returned for repair. In China, professional glove and clothing testing institutions are located in Dalian. You can choose this service to ensure that your brand is not damaged. Addwing Gloves Factory has the most professional third-party inspection agency with long-term cooperation. The agency is located in Dalian City and conducts professional clothing and glove inspection quality inspection for Japanese enterprises all year round.
Choosing a professional glove factory in China can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. By understanding the origins of professional glove development in China and the factors to consider when choosing a factory, you can be well on your way to finding the right factory for your needs. I hope this is helpful, please feel free to discuss in the comment area. Thank you for reading.
