ORDER FOLLOW-UP · October 13, 2026
Supplier Proposes Subcontracting: What Buyers Should Verify
Ask what operation would move, where it would be performed and how quality and traceability would be controlled. Subcontracting is not automatically prohibited or acceptable; assess the proposal against the actual agreement and product requirements.
Define the proposed change
Obtain the operation, affected SKUs and batches, facility name and address, planned dates and reason for the proposal. Distinguish a limited process such as coating from transfer of complete manufacture. Identify who will manage work and remain your commercial contact.
Review the applicable approval, confidentiality and product requirements with the responsible team. Do not assume that approval for one operation extends to all work or future orders.
Verify capability and inspection access
Request evidence relevant to the process: equipment, capacity, process controls and the proposed inspection plan. Verify the actual facility and scope of any certification relied on. A document bearing a company name does not prove that the specific production line meets your requirements.
Agree access for the required checks and identify who can approve release. Define how materials, work in progress and finished batches remain traceable through transfers.
Example: outsource coating, retain final assembly
Illustrative example: Supplier A proposes sending 500 housings to Facility B for coating while retaining assembly. Record the coating specification, batch identifiers, quantity sent, acceptance checks and quantity returned. Do not approve unspecified assembly work at B through the same instruction.
If 480 housings return accepted and 20 require correction, preserve those statuses and the outstanding balance. Do not record 500 assembly-ready units merely because 500 were dispatched.
Issue a bounded decision and follow through
Document acceptance, conditions or rejection of the proposal, with the approved facility, operation and affected batches. Record any agreed cost or timing changes. Ensure the supplier confirms how inspection findings and nonconforming goods will be handled.
Check the first affected output against the agreed criteria and retain transfer and inspection records. This checklist does not decide contractual rights or guarantee subcontractor performance. Publication is October 13, filling the queued October 12 guide slot.