How EKAR FURNITURE Handles OEM Furniture Orders for International Buyers

How EKAR FURNITURE Handles OEM Furniture Orders for International Buyers

For international buyers placing custom or branded orders, the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) process with a China furniture factory can seem opaque — full of handoffs, unclear timelines, and quality uncertainty. At EKAR FURNITURE, we’ve refined our OEM process over 20+ years of exporting to clients across the Middle East, North America, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Here’s a transparent look at exactly how we handle OEM furniture orders from brief to delivery.

What Is OEM Furniture Manufacturing?

OEM furniture manufacturing means the factory produces furniture based on the buyer’s design specifications, brand requirements, or technical drawings — rather than selling pre-designed stock items. The buyer typically:

• Provides design files, mood boards, or reference products

• Specifies materials, finishes, dimensions, and hardware

• Applies their own brand label or packaging to the finished product

Some buyers also engage in ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) arrangements, where the factory designs the product and the buyer licenses or purchases those designs exclusively. EKAR FURNITURE supports both OEM and ODM models.

Our OEM Process: Step by Step

Stage 1: Inquiry and Requirement Capture

Every OEM project begins with a structured brief. We ask our clients to share:

• Product reference images or CAD/technical drawings

• Target materials and finishes

• Dimensions and functional requirements

• Order quantity and delivery timeline

• Destination country and any compliance requirements (e.g., CARB P2 for the US, BIS for India, TSCA for formaldehyde)

Our international sales team responds within 24 hours with a preliminary assessment and any clarifying questions. We assign a dedicated account manager for the duration of the project.

Stage 2: 3D Design and Quotation

Based on the brief, our in-house design team prepares:

• 3D renderings of the proposed product in the specified finishes

• Material specification sheet with grade and sourcing information

• Detailed quotation with per-unit pricing at different MOQ levels

This stage typically takes 3–5 business days. Design revisions are included at no charge until the client approves the design direction.

Stage 3: Sample Production

Upon design approval and deposit receipt, we produce a pre-production sample for client review. This is a full-scale, handcrafted prototype built exactly to approved specifications.

Sample production takes 15–30 days depending on complexity. We ship samples via express courier (DHL or FedEx) to any destination globally. Sample costs are credited against the bulk order.

Clients review the sample against their requirements. Any modifications — dimensions, finishes, hardware, cushion fill — are incorporated before bulk production begins.

Stage 4: Bulk Production

Once the sample is approved and the production deposit is received, bulk manufacturing commences. Our factory in Longjiang, Foshan runs dedicated production lines for:

• Frame construction — solid wood and engineered wood joinery

• Metal fabrication — for legs, frames, and decorative hardware

• Upholstery — leather and fabric cutting, stitching, and padding

• Finishing — lacquering, painting, and polishing in controlled environments

• Final assembly — all components assembled and quality-checked

Production lead times vary by order size and complexity:

Order Size

Typical Lead Time

Small (under 50 units)

30–45 days

Medium (50–200 units)

45–60 days

Large (200+ units or full container)

60–90 days

Stage 5: Quality Control

Our QC process has three stages:

1. In-process inspection — Materials and components are checked before assembly begins

2. Pre-assembly inspection — All component parts are verified against specification before final assembly

3. Final inspection — Completed pieces are inspected for dimensions, finish quality, structural integrity, and packaging

We welcome third-party inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas, or QIMA at our facility before shipment. Most of our international clients from India, the Middle East, and North America arrange third-party inspection as standard practice. Learn more about our quality standards.

Stage 6: Export Packaging and Documentation

All furniture is packed for export using:

• Individual carton boxes with corner protection and foam inserts

• Waterproof wrapping for upholstered pieces

• Clear labeling with item code, dimensions, and destination details

We prepare all required export documentation, including:

• Commercial Invoice and Packing List

• Certificate of Origin (Form E, Form A, or standard CO as required)

• Fumigation Certificate (if required by destination country)

• Product test reports and certifications on request

Stage 7: Freight Coordination

We work with trusted freight forwarders and can offer FOB Foshan / FOB Guangzhou pricing as standard. For clients who prefer door-to-door service, we can coordinate CIF or DDU shipping to most major ports and cities worldwide.

We have active shipping routes to India (JNPT, Chennai, Mundra), the UAE (Jebel Ali), Saudi Arabia (Dammam), the US (Los Angeles, New York), and across Europe.