Built to your drawing or sample
OEM manufacturing
In contract manufacturing, OEM work means the factory builds what you specify. You bring a drawing, a 3D model or a physical sample, and the manufacturer quotes tooling, unit price and lead time for making exactly that.
When it fits
- You have a part that is not available in the aftermarket, or not at the quality you need
- You want a change to an existing part: material, dimension, coating, kit content
- You are a vehicle, trailer or equipment builder buying components to your own design
What you send
- A drawing or 3D model with tolerances and material, or a sample part if no drawing exists
- Where the part is used and what it must withstand
- Annual quantity and the size of the first order
- Test or documentation requirements, if any
What to expect
- Feasibility first
- The manufacturer checks whether the part can be made with its processes, for example casting, forging, machining, rubber moulding or sheet metal work.
- Tooling
- New moulds, dies or fixtures are quoted separately from the unit price. Agree in writing who owns the tooling and whether it may be used for other customers.
- Samples
- First samples are measured against the drawing and sent for your approval. Production starts after you approve them.
- Lead time
- Longer for the first order because of tooling and sampling. Repeat orders are faster.
Settle these in writing
- Design ownership
- State in the order that the design and any drawings you supply remain yours and are confidential. We sign a non-disclosure agreement with you before you send drawings; ask for the manufacturer to be bound by the same terms.
- Working from a sample
- A part made from a sample copies its dimensions, not its engineering data. Agree which dimensions and properties are critical and how they are checked.
- Quality documents
- Decide what you need with each delivery: dimensional report, material certificate, or a full production part approval file if you supply vehicle makers.
Send your brief
The steps
- Brief. You send part numbers, drawings or samples, quantities and target markets.
- Feasibility and quotation. We take the brief to manufacturers in Türkiye and return with what can be made, tooling if any, unit price, minimum quantity and lead time. This step is free.
- Sample. A sample is produced or drawn from production, in final marking and packaging where that applies.
- Approval. You check the sample and the documents and approve in writing. Changes are agreed before production.
- Order and production. You place the order with the manufacturer, who invoices you directly. The order is produced to the approved sample.
- Inspection and shipping. We check the goods against the order before loading and arrange export shipping on the agreed delivery terms.
Questions buyers ask
What does OEM mean here? I thought it meant the vehicle maker.
Both uses exist. In parts catalogues, OE refers to the vehicle maker’s original part. In contract manufacturing, OEM work means a factory makes a product to the buyer’s design. This page uses the second meaning.
Can you make a part from a sample without a drawing?
Often yes. The manufacturer measures the sample and prepares a drawing for your approval. Critical dimensions and material should be confirmed before tooling is made.
Who pays for tooling?
Normally the buyer, as a one-off cost quoted with the offer. Ownership and exclusivity of the tooling should be written into the order.