From your drawing or part number to your door, in six steps. You approve the first pieces and the price. We handle the manufacturers, the checks, the documents and the freight.
A drawing, an OEM part number or a worn part is enough to start. Add how many you need per order and per year, and where the parts should go.
If all you have is a worn or broken part, send it by courier. We measure it, draw it and send you the drawing to approve before anything is made.
You get a reply by email within one working day, with any questions.
We go through the drawing, the grade and the tolerances with manufacturers who already make parts like yours, and send you one quote in writing.
A manufacturer is asked to quote only a part it already makes well: the same process, the same grade and the same range of sizes.
How long it takes: Usually three to five working days. A casting or forging made to a new drawing can take a little longer, because we quote the pattern or the die as well, and we tell you when to expect it.
You get a quote with the origin, the price, the lead time, the checks and the payment terms.
The manufacturer makes the pattern or the die and the first pieces. We measure them against every dimension on your drawing and send you the report and photographs, or the pieces themselves by courier.
Production starts only after you approve the first pieces in writing. Who owns the pattern or the die? You do, once it is paid for. We keep it safe at the manufacturer, use it only for your parts, and send it to you or to another manufacturer if you ask.
You get a first article report, and samples if you want them.
Production starts once you approve in writing. We follow it and check each batch against the approved pieces.
Every heat is analysed, the sizes are checked at set intervals, and the hardness is checked after heat treatment. The tests your drawing names are done on the same heat.
How long it takes: Samples usually take four to six weeks. Production then takes four to ten weeks, and sea freight adds two to six weeks. Your quote gives the dates in writing.
You get the material certificates, the test reports and photographs.
Each lot is inspected, packed by part number, and every document is checked against your order before the goods leave.
Final inspection is by sampling to ISO 2859: AQL 1.5 for major defects and 4.0 for minor defects, unless your drawing or your contract sets another level.
You can send your own inspector too. We arrange the visit, and its cost is a line of its own on your quote.
You get the inspection report, the packing list and the shipping documents in draft, to check.
We book sea or air freight on the terms you choose and follow the shipment to your port or to your door.
Is the cargo insured? Yes, whenever we arrange the freight. Cargo is insured for the invoice value plus ten percent, and we can quote all risks cover. Your quote says which cover applies.
You get the bill of lading or air waybill, and delivery to your door if you want it.
The more we know at the start, the faster and firmer the quote. None of this has to be perfect.
One page, in writing, before anything is made. Every cost you will pay is on it.
The example here shows the layout. Its origin is blacked out; your quote names it.
Prepared by us and checked against your order before the goods leave. You see the drafts first, so a wrong line is put right before it reaches customs.
Material test certificates follow EN 10204 3.1, heat by heat, or 3.2 with an inspector you name.
| Document | What It Is For | When You Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Proforma invoice | The advance payment, and an import licence where one is needed | With the order |
| Commercial invoice | Customs value and payment of the balance | When the goods ship |
| Packing list | What is in each case or pallet, by part number, with weights | When the goods ship |
| Certificate of origin | Customs, and any lower duty your country allows | When the goods ship |
| Bill of lading or air waybill | Ownership of the goods, and collecting them at your port | After loading |
| Material test certificates | The grade and the properties, heat by heat, to EN 10204 3.1 | Before shipment |
| Inspection report | Dimensions and tests against your drawing, with photographs | Before shipment |
| Insurance certificate | Cover for the goods on the way | On CIF, CIP, DAP and DDP terms |
We quote on the Incoterms 2020 term you choose. If you are not sure, tell us where the parts should end up and we suggest one.
By sea, in a full container when the order fills one, or shared when it does not. By air for urgent parts. By courier for samples and first pieces.
Our guide FOB or CIF: Which One Saves You Money? works through the landed cost of each.
| Term | We Take the Goods To | Left to You |
|---|---|---|
| EXW | Nowhere: the goods wait at the manufacturer’s door | Loading, export clearance, freight, insurance and import |
| FCA | A named place near the manufacturer, cleared for export | The main freight, insurance and import |
| FOB | On board the ship at the port of loading | Sea freight, insurance and import |
| CFR and CIF | Your port, freight paid, and on CIF insured | Unloading, customs clearance, duty and delivery |
| DAP | Your door, duty not paid | Unloading, customs clearance and duty |
| DDP | Your door, duty paid | Unloading |
Heavy metal parts travel a long way. They are packed for the voyage and marked for your store.
You pay the price in your quote, agreed in writing before anything is made. The quote shows the parts, any pattern or die, the freight, the insurance and any duty as separate lines, so you can check each one.
Payment is usually an advance with the order and the balance against the shipping documents, agreed for each order in writing. A letter of credit works too.
We never change our bank details by email. Before any payment, check the account with us on WhatsApp.
