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How We Work

From specification to shipment.

A structured production process from the first product review through repeat production. You don’t need a perfect RFQ to start. We evaluate the project first.

The Process

Six stages, managed on your behalf

How Top Systems works: six stages Six stages: 1 Understand, 2 Source, 3 Quote, 4 Develop, 5 Produce and Control, 6 FOB and Repeat, with repeat production looping back to stage 5. Repeat production 01 Understand 02 Source 03 Quote 04 Develop 05 Produce & Control 06 FOB & Repeat How Top Systems works: six stages Six stages: 1 Understand, 2 Source, 3 Quote, 4 Develop, 5 Produce and Control, 6 FOB and Repeat, with repeat production looping back to stage 5. Repeat 01 Understand 02 Source 03 Quote 04 Develop 05 Produce & Control 06 FOB & Repeat
01

Understand

We review the product, specification, quantity, materials, target market and commercial requirements. You don’t need a perfect RFQ to start a conversation. Send us what you have. We’ll review the project, identify anything missing and advise on the next step.

02

Source

We determine the appropriate country and identify factories with suitable capability and fit. Country selection is based on the product, material, volume, commercial requirements and factory capability, across Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

  • Product
  • Material
  • Volume
  • Commercial requirements
  • Factory capability
03

Quote

We evaluate candidate factories, negotiate directly, compare production options where appropriate, and develop a single Top Systems quotation. We don’t promise the lowest price. We aim for the right factory at the right price.

04

Develop

Prototype → Top Systems sample review → client approval → approved specification and sample as the production reference. Specification changes are reviewed for their technical and commercial implications before they go ahead.

05

Produce & Control

Production management, QC, comparison against the approved sample, problem resolution and final inspection. When issues occur, we work directly with the factory to resolve them while keeping the production relationship workable.

Issues that can occur in production
  • Approved sample not followed
  • Hardware differs from spec
  • Material differs from spec
  • Production delay
  • Defects
How we work an issue
  1. Understand what happened
  2. Communicate with the factory
  3. Escalate to management when required
  4. Agree corrective action
  5. Monitor the result
  6. Keep the buyer informed
06

FOB & Repeat

Export documentation and freight coordination through to shipment readiness. You keep your own freight forwarder. Then repeat production, new product development and additional factories when needed. The relationship does not have to end with the first shipment.

Illustration of a forklift loading pallets of wrapped cartons into a shipping container
Illustration

How the commercial relationship works

You purchase through Top Systems. We manage the selected production partner on your behalf and pay the factory according to the agreed production terms. Commercial terms are agreed in writing before production begins. You remain in control of product approval and your freight arrangements after the agreed FOB handoff.

You can also keep your own factory PO and use Top Systems as your team on the ground. The two routes compare like this:

QuestionBuy through Top SystemsKeep your own factory PO
Who you buy fromTop Systems, on one Top Systems invoiceThe factory, on your own PO
Who pays the factoryTop SystemsYou
Factory management, QC and shipping coordinationTop SystemsTop Systems, as your agent on the ground
FeesAgreed in writing, no upfront retainersAgreed in writing, no upfront retainers

Send us what you’re sourcing.

Send a drawing, photo, BOM or existing product. We’ll review it and determine the next step.

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