The Real Value of a Technical Audit in Apparel Manufacturing

Working with the wrong factory can cost you time, money, and reputation. A technical audit cuts through the noise to reveal who can actually deliver—and crucially, who can’t.

A technical audit is your reality check: a systematic deep dive into a factory’s processes, equipment, and quality systems to answer one critical question—can this facility consistently produce your product safely, reliably, and to the standard your brand demands?

In this post, you’ll learn the difference between technical and social audits, what to expect when visiting a factory, and the seven key pillars for assessing technical capability.

Before we dive in, a note: I am not a certified auditor. My expertise comes from decades of walking factory floors, asking the right questions, and learning through hands-on experience. I reject check-box exercises and pass/fail judgments. My approach focuses on uncovering potential because, in this industry, perfection is rare—but reliability can be measured.

From Awareness to Action: Understanding and Managing Metal Risks in Apparel Production

Every seam carries hidden risk. While brands obsess over designs and margins, few consider the very real problem of metal contamination in their factories. Even a single overlooked needle fragment or misplaced tool can turn a premium garment into a costly liability. I’ve seen these issues firsthand across decades of factory inspections, and they’re more common than many assume.

In this article, I’ll outline the key risks of metal contamination, why negligence happens, and a practical 4-point system to prevent it. I’ll also explain the real role of metal detectors—and how, with the right partnership between brands and factories, these controls can truly work.

Is Poor Product Quality Damaging Your Brand?

Here’s an uncomfortable truth: relying solely on final inspections doesn’t manage risk—it documents failure. You’re not preventing problems; you’re discovering them too late, often at the point of no return.

In this guide, I’ll explain the critical difference between QC and QA, share a practical QA framework to take control of quality, and provide a Factory Evaluation Guide that shows you where quality is actually made—or lost—on the production floor. Let’s get started.

Why Blind Spots in Your Supply Chain Can Cost You More Than You Think—and How to Eliminate Them.

In today’s market, consumers don’t just buy what you sell—they buy the story behind it. Supply chain transparency has become a make-or-break factor for brands. Get it right, and you build trust, loyalty, and an unbeatable competitive edge. Get it wrong, and you risk everything—from reputation to revenue.

But transparency starts with visibility—knowing exactly where your products are made, by whom, and under what conditions.

Forward-thinking brands are mapping beyond their direct suppliers to their suppliers’ suppliers and further, achieving end-to-end traceability across their entire supply chain, from raw materials to finished goods. Yet many still operate blindly. How many brands can’t even name the factory producing their products?

In this post, I’ll introduce multi-tier supply chain management, explain the critical differences between suppliers and factories, reveal the realities of manufacturing in China, and provide an actionable framework to help you take control of your manufacturing.

What Four Decades in Apparel Taught Me

Funny how life works, isn’t it? If you’d told 17-year-old me, hunched over my mum’s old Singer sewing machine listening to John Peel on the radio, that one day I’d end up living and working in China, I’d have dismissed it with a well-rehearsed scornful scowl and turned the volume up.

Funnier still is that 40 years later, I’m sat here in Shanghai hunched over my laptop and writing my first blog about it all.

So, where better to begin my very first post than at the start?