Once you have decided on a panel specification, the hardest question remains: who should you buy it from? The ACP market is crowded with traders, re-branded products and factories that cut corners on core density, skin thickness and coating warranty. This 10-point checklist helps procurement teams, distributors and OEM buyers separate serious manufacturers from the rest.
Feiteng® ACP has produced aluminum composite panels since 1994. For our own credentials, visit the About Us page; for the products themselves, browse Products.
Table of Contents
- 1. Factory Ownership, Not Trading
- 2. Real Production Capacity
- 3. Certifications That Actually Mean Something
- 4. In-House Quality Control
- 5. Product Range and Customization
- 6. Export Experience and References
- 7. Lead Time and Consistency
- 8. Sample and Pre-Production Approval
- 9. After-Sales and Warranty
- 10. Talk to the People Behind the Factory
1. Factory Ownership, Not Trading
Ask for production-line photos, video tours and the factory address. Trading companies add margin and know little about process control. A true manufacturer has its own coating and lamination lines on-site, controls the aluminum coil sourcing, and can show you the QC room. If a “factory” cannot take you on a live video walk-through of the lines today, treat them as a trader.
2. Real Production Capacity
Ask for daily output, number of lines and monthly tonnage. Reliable suppliers produce tens of thousands of square metres per month — enough to handle your repeat orders without subcontracting to third parties, which is where quality drift happens. Subcontracting also means your order can be delayed by a competing customer’s rush.
3. Certifications That Actually Mean Something
Look for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, CE, UL, SGS and fire-test reports to EN 13501 or GB 8624. Request certificate numbers and verify them with the issuing body. A PDF in an email means nothing without traceability. Be especially suspicious of suppliers who cannot provide a fire report for the exact core grade they are quoting.
4. In-House Quality Control
Serious factories run tests on every batch: peel strength, coating thickness, color difference (ΔE), impact resistance and dimensional tolerance. Ask to see the QC report format — you should receive one with every shipment, signed by a named QC manager. If a supplier has no written QC protocol, look elsewhere.
5. Product Range and Customization
Can they supply FR panels, PVDF panels, interior grades, exterior grades and custom colors and sizes? A single-source partner simplifies logistics, reduces your vendor count, and ensures consistent quality across product lines.
6. Export Experience and References
Ask which countries they already ship to and for a reference customer in your region. Long-term exporters understand documentation, packaging, container loading and Incoterms. They will also flag potential customs or certification issues in your market before you commit — a sign of experience, not obstruction.
7. Lead Time and Consistency
A credible factory quotes a firm lead time (commonly 15–25 days for a 20-foot container) and holds color batches to a single coil lot. Ask how they handle repeat orders six months later — color match should still be near-perfect. If they cannot guarantee a coil lot, expect visible color variation between shipments.
8. Sample and Pre-Production Approval
Always order physical samples before bulk production. Check flatness, color, edge finish and weight. Reject any supplier who discourages sample testing or quotes a price only after you commit to a container. A pre-production sample signed off by your team is the cheapest insurance you will buy.
9. After-Sales and Warranty
What is the warranty on coating (10 years? 20 years?) and on panel performance? Who handles a claim, and how quickly? Get the warranty terms in writing, including what voids it. The cheapest panel on day one can become the most expensive on year five if there is no warranty behind it.
10. Talk to the People Behind the Factory
Have a video call with the production or QC manager. How they answer technical questions tells you more than any brochure. When you are ready, send us your specification — we will quote it, back it with test reports, and ship it anywhere in the world.