How to Evaluate a Plastic Machinery Supplier

What to verify before you pay a deposit

A deposit is not a purchase — it is trust. Before sending money to a machinery supplier, verify who you are actually dealing with: a manufacturer, a trading company or a reseller. Ask for the factory address, business license, and photos or video of the workshop with your order number written on a board in the frame.

Check the company age, export history and the countries where its machines are installed. Ask for references from factories in your region — a supplier with 200 machines in Russia has very different field experience from one with 200 machines only in its home province.

Factory visits and live video tests

If you can, visit the factory. If you cannot, insist on a live video test: the machine running your film or bag specification, with a running clock in view. Ask them to make the exact product you plan to sell — not a showpiece sample — and to keep the video unedited.

A serious manufacturer will agree to this without hesitation. A supplier that offers only stock photos or a pre-recorded demo is a red flag.

The machine itself: welds, wiring, components

Walk the machine with a checklist. Look at the frame welds, the thickness of the steel, the way cables are routed and labelled, and the brand of key components — inverters, PLC, photocells, heaters and bearings. Component brands matter because they determine uptime and the price of future spares.

Ask which parts are made in-house and which are bought. Machines are assembled everywhere; what you are paying for is the engineering, the tuning and the after-sales responsibility.

Documentation: CE, manuals, spare parts list

Require, before payment: a CE certificate that names your machine model, a detailed technical specification, operation and maintenance manuals in your language, a wiring diagram, and a spare parts list with prices. The certificate should be verifiable — check the issuing body and certificate number.

Payment terms and delivery

Common terms are 30% deposit and 70% before shipment, or 30/40/30 for larger lines. Avoid paying the full balance before the machine has passed your own inspection or video test. Agree the delivery time in writing, with a penalty clause if the supplier is late, and confirm whether the price includes packing, sea freight and customs documents.

After-sales: response time, training, spares

The machine will run for 10-15 years; the relationship will matter more than the price. Ask about response time for breakdowns, remote support (video calls, PLC access), training at installation, and the availability of consumables and spares. A good supplier keeps spares in stock for machines sold years ago.

Checklist before signing

• Registered company with verifiable factory address.
• Live test video of your exact product.
• Reference factories in your region.
• CE certificate naming your model, manuals and wiring diagrams.
• Written payment schedule, delivery time and penalty clause.
• Spare parts list with prices and response-time commitment.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a supplier is a real manufacturer?

Ask for a live video tour, factory address and business license, and check references from buyers in your region.

Is a deposit of 30% normal?

Yes, 30% deposit with the balance before shipment is standard; avoid paying more before inspection or video acceptance.

Should the contract include a delivery penalty?

Yes. A written delivery date with a penalty protects you from open-ended delays.

What documents must come with the machine?

CE certificate for the model, operation and maintenance manuals, wiring diagram, packing list and commercial invoice.

How important are component brands?

Very important: they determine uptime, energy efficiency and the availability and price of future spare parts.