What should I check first in a factory audit?

The injection molding workshop and the testing lab. Molding determines cabinet quality; the lab determines whether safety claims are real. Both are hard to fake on a live visit.

How long does a proper factory audit take?

Plan a full day: half for the production floor and lab, half for QC records, warehouse, and meetings with the QC manager and engineers.

Can I do a remote video audit instead?

Video audits filter out obvious fraud and work for initial screening. Before a first mass-production order, an in-person visit is still the standard.

What is the biggest red flag during an audit?

A factory that will not show you something — the lab, the records, the warehouse. Transparency correlates strongly with quality systems that actually function.

Should I bring a third-party inspector?

For first orders, yes. An experienced inspector knows where factories hide problems and gives you an independent report you can act on.

Buyer Guide

How to Audit a Washing Machine Factory (Before You Order)

A practical factory audit checklist for washing machine buyers: the 6 areas to inspect and the questions that reveal the truth.

A factory audit is not a tour. It is a verification exercise with a checklist, and the factory knows it.

Here are the six areas experienced buyers inspect, and what "good" looks like in each.

Free one-page PDF: Factory Audit Checklist

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1. Injection molding workshop

Count the machines and check tonnage plates — this is where cabinets and tubs are born.
Look for material storage: virgin PP pellets vs regrind piles tell you about cabinet quality.
Ask about mold maintenance records.

2. Assembly lines

How many lines, and what is running right now?
Check line-side QC stations: are operators actually testing, or just assembling?
Look at the finished-goods area: organized by model and destination, or chaos?

3. Testing lab

Ask to see: electrical safety tester, dynamic balance rig, wash performance setup.
Request a live demo of a safety test on a finished unit.
Check calibration stickers on test equipment.

4. QC system and records

Ask for the IQC/IPQC/OQC procedures in writing.
Sample a recent OQC report: does it record real measurements or just pass/fail ticks?
Who has authority to stop a shipment? The answer should be a name, not "the boss."

5. Warehouse and loading

Check carton stacking, humidity control, and lot traceability.
Ask how they load containers: photos of past loadings are a good sign.

6. People

Meet the QC manager and the engineer who will handle your account — not just sales.
Ask about worker turnover; stable teams build stable quality.

Key takeaways

Audit 6 areas: molding, assembly, lab, QC records, warehouse, people.
Ask for live demos and written procedures, not brochures.
Meet the QC manager — not just sales.

Manufacturing Quality

Questions, answered

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers for washing machine buyers.

For guidance purposes only. This guide shares general industry knowledge for washing machine buyers. Factory capabilities, certifications, and terms vary by order and should be confirmed in writing before purchase. Nothing here is a guarantee of pricing, lead time, or certification outcomes.

Ningbo Manufacturer · 30+ Years Laundry Appliance Experience

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