Factory Audits: Check Who Owns the Machines

Short answer: an apparel factory audit checks four things in order — that the factory owns the machinery it claims, that its quality system actually functions, that working conditions meet standards, and that documentation supports all of the above. Certificates tell you what to verify; the audit tells you whether it is true.

A factory visit — in person or by video — is the highest-value hour in sourcing. This checklist structures it.

Before the Audit: Prepare

Section 1: Ownership and Capability

The first question is whether the factory is what it claims:

If the factory claims in-house dyeing but there is no dye house, you have found a trader.

Section 2: Quality System in Action

Certificates matter less than whether the system runs daily:

Ask to see reports from a recent order — real records look real.

Section 3: Working Conditions and Compliance

Social compliance is both an ethical and a commercial requirement:

If you require BSCI or Sedex, ask for the latest audit report and check the findings were remediated.

Section 4: Documentation and Management

Section 5: Communication and Culture

Softer signals that predict the relationship:

A factory that hides a floor usually has a reason.

After the Audit: Score and Decide

Red Flags That End the Visit Early

Conclusion

A factory audit verifies ownership, quality systems, working conditions and documentation — in that order. Prepare a checklist, look at real records rather than certificates alone, and score what you see. An hour of structured observation prevents months of quality problems.

Key Takeaways for Buyers

What we would do in your position

Start with one fabric across two or three styles. It halves your development cost, gets you over mill minimums and stops you overcommitting to a single style before you know what actually sells. Widen the range once the first drop has told you something.