- Score every supplier on 6 dimensions before comparing prices.
- Two reference-plant conversations tell you more than 50 pages of marketing.
- Financial health of the manufacturer matters — warranties are worthless if the OEM is insolvent in year 3.
- Spare parts availability is the largest hidden OPEX driver.
- Some red flags — evasive reference lists, no engineering documentation, no local service partner — should end the evaluation immediately.
6-Dimension Supplier Scorecard
- 1.1. Manufacturing capacity & QA
- 2.2. Reference plants (5+ years operational)
- 3.3. Spare parts stocking & lead time
- 4.4. Warranty scope & duration
- 5.5. Engineering & commissioning support
- 6.6. Financial health & delivery reliability
Manufacturing capacity & QA
Ask for the factory address, annual output, certifications (ISO 9001, CE, UL where relevant) and QA process. Video walk-throughs of the plant are now standard; refusal is a signal.
Reference plants that matter
Marketing lists are not reference lists. Ask for 3 plants operating for 5+ years, at your project scale, in a similar climate zone. Then call two of them directly — the questions in the checklist below surface real issues.
Spare parts is where projects bleed money
A poultry house is a wear system. If the OEM cannot deliver critical spares within 2–4 weeks, your OPEX and welfare risk climb every year.
Comparison
| Score | Manufacturing | References | Spares | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green (proceed) | ISO + factory access | 3+ x 5-year plants | Local stock, <2 wk | Named commissioning lead |
| Amber (mitigate) | Certified, no visit | 2 plants, 2–3 years | Regional hub, 2–4 wk | Remote-only support |
| Red (walk away) | No QA documentation | No verifiable refs | >6 wk lead time | No engineering contact |
Executive Checklist
- ☐ Manufacturer legal entity, ownership and financial statements reviewed
- ☐ Factory certifications verified (not just claimed)
- ☐ 3 reference plants at similar scale in similar climate identified
- ☐ 2 reference-plant calls completed with operating staff (not sales)
- ☐ Spare parts kit priced and lead time confirmed in writing
- ☐ Warranty terms distinguish wear parts from structural parts
- ☐ Named commissioning engineer with poultry project CV
- ☐ Delivery history for last 12 months (on-time %)
- ☐ Local service partner or subsidiary named in the country of installation
- ☐ No unresolved litigation or public performance disputes
Frequently Asked Questions
What questions should we ask reference plants?
How do we assess financial health of a private OEM?
Is a big brand always safer?
Continue Your Executive Research
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