For just about every product designer on the market, manufacturing has always been a significant challenge in terms of both cost and quality. You want the production cost to be as low as possible, but at the same time, the products must be at least of good build quality to attract potential customers. Sourcing for manufacturers overseas is one of the most effective ways to minimize manufacturing budgets thanks to a significant reduction in labor cost. Workers in western countries have higher average salaries than those in almost any other country in the world.
Sourcing is not always an easy process, and many times, you have to deal with intermediaries to get things going. These middlemen include trading companies, wholesalers, and sourcing agents. The nature of intermediaries is that they provide services to help your business and take a reasonable chunk of your profit margin. However, many times, go-betweens are necessary (and even inevitable) until you gain more experience in the industry and become capable of handling everything on your own. The following list of resources is filled with free & paid manufacturer directories as well as sourcing agents in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Top 50 resources to find a manufacturing company for your new product design
1. Core77 Design Firm Directory
The brainchild of Core77 and Bloomberg Businessweek, the design directory contains more than 1,000 firms based in many different countries all around the world. Most of the firms listed here are located in the United States and the United Kingdom, but you can also find many more from Canada, Germany, China, and India. Sorting options include specialties/fields and typical budget range.
2. The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)
Founded in 1965, the IDSA is a non-profit industrial design association with a website containing news, events, and other relevant resources for professionals and students alike. Its “Find A Firm” page is where you can find manufacturing facilities or companies to help make your new design. Most firms listed are based in the United States.
3. Maker’s Row
There are only four types of industries on Maker’s Row: apparel & accessories, furniture & home décor, packaging, and other. However, the directory has more than 11,000 firms and manufacturers to help you kick off your project. Maker’s Row is not free; the subscription-based search function comes at $35/month for the Basic Plan.
4. Global Sourcing Specialists (GSS)
A sourcing agency that focuses on providing services for start-ups, GSS is working with a vast network of more than 1,000 factories worldwide and has introduced about 600 products to market. Not only does the agency offer assistance with manufacturing but also with packaging, quality assurance, and shipping.
5. Alibaba Fabrication Services
It is one of the largest online marketplaces to find suppliers of ready-made products in just about every category. If you already have the design ready for manufacturing, go directly to Alibaba Fabrication Services to see a long list of manufacturers of which you can contact directly. You can sort based on location, supplier type (Trade Assurance or Verified), sample order, minimum order, price, and past export countries.
6. MFG
Another excellent resource to find a manufacturing company for your new product design is MFG. The search function is based on location (either a specific city or your current location). It allows you to select a certain radius—from 50 to 10,000 miles—of search. The database contains manufacturers from all around the world.
7. ThomasNet
One of the best free supplier directories to use is ThomasNet. The homepage provides a more general search function to find manufacturers by name, category, or brand. ThomasNet also has a separate “supplier discovery” page for more specific queries such as location, certification, type of company, ownership, etc. The company type includes manufacturers and custom manufacturers suitable for new product design.
8. Kompass
When it comes to new product design, you want as many supplier choices as possible to improve your chances of finding the perfect business partner. Kompass is powered by a network of over 35 million companies in over 75 countries. Search options include name, activity (expertise or types of services provided), and location.
9. Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTD) Sourcing
More of an international B2B hub than a firm directory, the HKTD Sourcing allows you to create custom sourcing inquiries directly on the website. There is a chance that your inquiries are answered by suppliers of ready-made products instead of custom manufacturers. Still, it shouldn’t be a problem as long as the products meet your exact specifications and budget.
10. IndiaMart Directory
It is the largest online B2B marketplace in India. The directory allows you to search for the products/services you need. A more natural way is to use the “Business Categories” section and choose the option relevant to your design. You can directly contact suppliers/manufacturers to compare prices, services, quality, etc. Remember that all companies in this directory are based in India.
11. Canton Fair
Unlike most resources listed here, the Canton Fair is not an online database but a Guangzhou trade expo where you have every chance of meeting the right manufacturer for your new product design. Although many suppliers are at the exhibition to sell finished goods, it is never too hard to ask if they also do custom manufacturing services. If you have the time and budget, visit the fair.
12. Sourcify
This web app is a one-stop shop for product and factory sourcing purposes. Once you find the right candidates, you can request a sample to get a better look at what your final product will be. Communication is done directly on the web app to streamline the process. Sourcify claims to have a network of more than 1,000 pre-vetted factories all around the world, at least 300 product categories, and an average of 32% cost-saving on the buyers’ part.
13. Global Sources Factory Directory
For more than 48 years, Global Sources has been connecting buyers and suppliers through its online platform and exhibitions. It has both wholesale and factory directories mostly in the consumer goods category. There is also a category called “Machinery & Parts” for industrial/commercial applications. You can search by locations, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Zhejiang.
14. Findafactory
This is a sourcing agent specializing in China-based manufacturers. FindAFactory.net focuses on helping crowd-sourced ideas, but anybody can use the service to search for the right manufacturing facilities capable of mass production. After using the service for 24 months, you can work directly with the manufacturer of your choice for a fee.
15. Headwind
The company is a manufacturer and designer, yet it also provides sourcing services to connect you with China-based factories. In case your product requires compliance testing for safety standards—for example, electronics, toys, or other products intended for children and home appliances—the company also offers the services for that purpose. Their manufacturing, designing, and sourcing services cover both physical and digital products.
16. ITI Manufacturing
A US-based company, ITI Manufacturing is a sourcing agent to help you find turnkey product development and manufacturing services from China-based factories. Typical product categories include plastic, wood, metals, electronics, fabrics, and electronics, although you can also send specifications for custom designs. ITI Manufacturing will request samples of your product (prototype or engineering drawing) before it can begin sourcing.
17. Arcadia
It is another sourcing agent based in Hong Kong to help you connect with China-based OEM and ODM manufacturers. Similar to other sourcing agents, there isn’t a list of factories on its website simply because they are supposed to do all the sourcing work. The best thing to do before using such a service is to ask a lot of questions and iron out all the details.
18. Intrepidsourcing
What is unique about Intrepidsourcing is how it’s willing to work with any small business with a budget of as low as $300. Despite that low financial capital, the sourcing agent promises to bring custom products to life. The complete service includes everything, from product concept development to sample productions, for your approval.
19. Inventor Smart Sourcing
The sourcing agent is based in Melville, New York. Inventor Smart Sourcing provides turnkey product development services from idea development and manufacturing to licensing and marketing. It works with a network of prototype makers and custom manufacturers both domestic and overseas. Most products it handles are made of plastic, wood, metal, or cut & sew materials.
20. Job Shop
Despite its seemingly over-simplified website interface, Job Shop is an excellent factory directory anybody can use for free. It claims to have the most extensive collection of quality contract manufacturers based in North America only. Factories listed in the directory offer various product development services, including prototyping, assembly, electronic components fabrication, low-volume or short-run production, and custom parts.
21. Design2Part
Part of Job Shop Company, Design2Part is a more straightforward search engine of factories based in North America. You can search by name, types of service provided, location (or region), and keywords. Manufacturers are listed in alphabetical order, and each comes with contact information. Make sure to check each company’s website in case there is a change in address, services, and other details not yet updated in the directory.
22. MacRae’s Blue Book
Similar to Job Shop, manufacturers listed in MacRae’s Blue Book directory are all based in North America. People source for custom manufacturers overseas mainly to save on production costs, even with shipping. However, the directory is filled with more than 1.2 million North American industrial companies, so you should be able to compare prices and get the best possible quality.
23. Scott’s Directories
Based in Ontario, Canada, Scott’s Directories has compiled an extensive database of Canadian manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers for anybody to use. The directory has more than 190,000 B2B companies with accurate contact information. The database is also verified every year. You have to subscribe to access the database, but a seven-day trial is available.
24. The Fabricator’s FAB40
The Fabricator is a publication of FMA (Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International). In June 2019, it released a list of the 40 most successful metal fabricators in the United States. If your new product design involves a lot of metal fabrication, the list is an excellent resource to connect with reputable manufacturers. Even if it may not be a financially viable choice for mass production, at least you can get a prototype of exceptional quality to be used as a sample.
25. MNI (Manufacturers’ News, Inc.)
The flagship publication of MNI, the Illinois Manufacturers Directory, started compiling manufacturers’ profiles more than 100 years ago. Today, the MNI is considered a classic reference directory containing a massive database of manufacturers all across the nation. It is a paid directory, and you can purchase one from specific states or the entire country.
26. IndustryNet
Part of MNI, the IndustryNet comprises mostly suppliers of finished goods. However, you can use the search function to search by category/product type to look for “Prototypes” and “Contract Manufacturing” or other relevant queries for factories. IndustryNet claims that the database is all compiled by real people instead of aggregated from the entire web. If true, the information should all be accurate.
27. Bizbilla
It is quite challenging to pinpoint custom manufacturers on Bizbilla because there is no specific category for that. A “Services” tab is available but is not specific to custom manufacturing. An effective way to find factories is by using the “Products” tab and contacting the manufacturers directly. Look for products in a similar category as yours.
28. Quirky
While Quirky is not necessarily a sourcing agent or factory directory, you are encouraged to submit a product design for initial review. If approved, Quirky will find the right manufacturers to mass-produce the design in accordance with your specifications. If you are interested in using the service, make time to read the Terms of Service, especially regarding royalty and product ownership status.
29. Global Market
A major difference between Global Market and other sourcing agents is how the former uses its own benchmarking requirements for all listed manufacturers. The benchmarks include quality control, company size, social responsibility, research and development capabilities, reputation, export processes, and OEM/ODM experience. You can search by products, manufacturers, or industry categories.
30. Europages
Previously known as Euredit, the directory is one of the largest in Europe. More than 2.6 million companies worldwide are listed in EUROPAGES, and more than 3,000 company profiles are added every month. Search options are excellent, with listings categorized by country, company type, and business sector.
31. Made-in-China
Most companies in the Made-in-China directory are finished goods suppliers, and it offers no options to find custom manufacturers. However, the website provides a section where you can submit sourcing requests. You may want to try contacting the product suppliers via email or chat and ask whether they are willing to take custom manufacturing jobs.
32. World of Manufacturers
The World of Manufacturers is a straightforward yet reasonably detailed factory directory where you have the power to search based on category and two subcategories. For example, if you choose “Metals” for the main category, it is easy to narrow the search further down by selecting the specific materials and product types for the sub-categories. Get more specific by choosing countries and regions as well.
33. ManufacturerSupplier.com
The directory contains only two significant sections, including industry category and country. For some people, the interface is perhaps oversimplified, especially when they realize that the contact information is nothing more than the manufacturers’ short descriptions and official website addresses. But it is free and filled with plenty of manufacturers to choose from.
34. IQS Directory
If you do not intend to look for manufacturers outside of North America, the IQS directory should cover what you need. Manufacturers and suppliers listed in the directory are all based in the United States and Canada; the directory also says they serve major OEM industrial manufacturing segments. The listing includes detailed contact information, RFQs, customer reviews, and visual previews.
35. B2BManufactures.com
For overseas manufacturing, especially in China and Taiwan, B2BManufacturers.com is worth visiting. It has a lot of categories and sub-categories of products, for example, agricultural, textile, plumbing, toys, sporting goods, die & mold, and more. Each category brings up more specific product types. Suppliers and manufacturers are also listed in different sections on the same page of relevant products.
36. ManufacturerUSA.com
As the name suggests, the directory is filled with manufacturers based in the United States. Unfortunately, the categorization (or the lack thereof) is a bit irritating, as you can only browse by location. Manufacturers have short descriptions attached with their official website addresses to contact them directly. Even if you want to source local manufacturers, there are better directories.
37. IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) Manufacturers Directory
A directory of manufacturers serving only in the lighting products such as fixtures, controls, power sources, mounting devices, etc. The listing is categorized based on product type to simplify the search. You can also find a “miscellaneous” category for laser, fiber optics, maintenance equipment, and software products. Use the search bar and insert relevant keywords; for example, “custom manufacturing” and “prototype” to find what you’re looking for because many companies listed are suppliers.
38. Innovative Manufacturers’ Center – Pennsylvania
If you happen to live in the State of Pennsylvania, the IMC manufacturer directory is the best place to source for local factories. Search by industries/product types and location (counties). Working with manufacturers nearby means better communication with no language barrier and minimum coordination problems. IMC is an affiliate of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
39. Korean Manufacturers Directory
A tiny directory for its own name, the listing is filled with just 16 manufacturers (at the time of the writing) based in Korea. The good thing is that it has quite comprehensive industry categories, including consumer goods, automobiles, metal, electronic, beauty care, chemical/plastic, semiconductor, construction, and machinery. The miscellaneous category is currently occupied by a company in the water treatment industry.
40. Manufactured in North Carolina
If IMC is a directory for manufacturers in Pennsylvania, the MNC is the North Carolina version. MNC has more than a thousand manufacturers—all based in the state—and a user-friendly interface. Each company’s profile page has detailed contact information, including location, certification, and product types.
41. Turkish Manufacturers
The online directory is filled with over 60,000 manufacturers, all based in Turkey. Search by business sectors provided on the home page, which will take you to the product types. This is followed by another list of product categorizations and relevant manufacturers. The Turkish Manufacturers directory has plenty of categories, but unfortunately, some have no list of manufacturers at all. There is also an alphabetical list of companies.
42. ClickManufacturer.com
Although the interface looks a lot like ManufacturerUSA.com, the content on ClickManufacturer is more user-friendly and comprehensive. The directory is divided into multiple sections of business sectors, categories, and subcategories. You can also search for manufacturers by country. It claims that all links are manually checked for accuracy.
43. Go Food Directory
If your product design is food-related, Go Food Directory is an excellent place to look for the right manufacturer. Some companies make foods & beverages, while others work in the packaging industry. Choose “Manufacturers” in the Food Suppliers tab on the left-hand side of the web page, and then refine the search by choosing either processing/production or packing/packaging.
44. Foursource
For product design ideas related to the apparel industry, Foursource provides a sourcing service through its own platform. Members have access to verified garment manufacturers all around the world. Manufacturers’ information is also available in case you want to contact them one by one directly. Basic membership without technical support is free.
45. Indian Handicrafts
It has only one industry category, but the subcategories include wood, stone, aluminum, sculpture, brassware, leather products, Christmas decorations, and more. Handicraft products are divided into many sections based on materials or types, and each comes with a list of manufacturers. You can send a query via the website or contact the manufacturers directly.
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46. A Better Lemonade Stand
Just like FOURSOURCE, the manufacturers listed on A Better Lemonade Stand directory are all in the apparel industry. Instead of providing you with an online manufacturer directory, however, the website gives links to a downloadable database. A premium listing comes at $19, while the Free version requires submission of an email address. All manufacturers are based in the United States and Canada.
47. GMI Directory
Previously known as the North State Manufacturers Directory, the GMI (Growth Manufacturing Initiative) has expanded its database to include not only manufacturers and suppliers but also financial institutions, private organizations, business services, as well as training and education. Manufactures listed work in various industries such as metal fabrication, apparel, tobacco and beverage, electronic products, wooden products, and plastic products.
48. Integrator Central CE Directory
It’s the only online manufacturer directory filled with nothing but custom electronics makers. Integrator Central CE directory has more than 20 categories such as video, control, automation, lighting, and more. Manufacturers work in both residential and commercial sectors, so read the description carefully before making an irrelevant inquiry.
49. Architect Magazine Firms Directory
Specifically created to compile manufacturers’ profiles in the architecture industry, the directory is an excellent online resource if your design is related to furniture pieces, interior, exterior, fixtures, landscape, and so on. Search by company type, specialties, and services. In the “Services” section, choose “Fabrication” and “Prototyping” to find companies willing to build a custom design.
50. Asia Manufacturer Directory
A straightforward manufacturer directory to source overseas, especially in Asia. Categories include mostly consumer goods such as food, beauty & care, home appliances, toys, leather, gifts, etc. After picking a category relevant to your design, you’ll see a lot of subcategories indicating types of products. Choose the “Manufacturers” tab instead of “selling leads” and “products” to see a list of factories. Regardless of the manufacturers (or intermediaries) and where they are, take the time and effort to iron out all the details related to the business beforehand.
Ask a lot of questions so you can decide whether they are the right potential partners, not only by how comprehensive the answers are, but also their willingness to engage in good communication practices. Make sure that your partners are all legit by asking for a copy of their business license. Remember that permits must include permits to do business in local area and in the sectors or industries that your products are.
Final thoughts
Finding a reliable manufacturing service is not going to be an easy task, and it gets more difficult if the manufacturer is located overseas. But this is not an impossible job, especially if you get help from a reputable sourcing agent. Once you’ve found it, the product development process—which may include prototyping—and manufacturing can start right away. Cad Crowd has access to a broad network of professionals that can help you throughout the design and development process.
