10 Reasons Why You Should Work with a Sourcing Agent for Your Manufacturing Needs

The fashion world is complicated—especially when you’re working with manufacturers and suppliers in other countries, who don’t speak your same language and have different cultural norms when it comes to doing business. While a staggering amount of apparel is imported to the U.S. (96.6 percent, by some estimates), the process of producing products overseas is anything but simple. Enter the sourcing agent. These professionals know how to find and work with quality manufacturers, and they’re a critical part of bringing your vision to life (without sacrificing your sanity or making costly mistakes along the way). Whether you’re looking to make clothing and accessories in Italy or elsewhere, these 10 benefits of working with a sourcing agent hold true. 

1- Sourcing agents have connections (and clout).

International agents are usually fluent in multiple languages, and they have contacts all over the world. They bring their know-how of which factories are best for which types of products to the table, and they often have more pull with manufacturers than brands who are just trying to break into the manufacturing scene.

2- Sourcing agents save you money.

Agents know the ins and outs of the production process, and they also know how to save you money every step of the way. Your agent will come in especially handy during the sampling process, which is the most difficult (and often, costly) part of producing an apparel item.

3- Sourcing agents can make introductions.

Your needs aren’t exactly the same as anyone else’s, which is why good agents play matchmaker with their factory connections and their clients. That means that you’ll work with the best manufacturer for you. You’ll also get traction—oftentimes, factories won’t respond to inquiries from people they don’t know, which is why your agent’s existing relationships are so important.

4- Sourcing agents understand sampling.

What makes sampling so difficult is that it requires a whole host of things—from a tech pack and materials to labeling, patterns, and, most importantly, relationships. Factories tend to prioritize orders when they have a positive, existing relationship with the person behind the order, and sourcing agents excel at building those kinds of relationships. Also, samples tend to involve more work for factories—work that’s often done by hand—and that doesn’t come cheap. Your agent can help you avoid expensive errors during this very necessary (albeit quite complicated) process, like doing five samples when you really only need one or two that can be perfected along the way.

5- Sourcing agents are well-versed in logistics.

While you’re busy getting your brand or new product just right, it’s easy to overlook things like shipping and customs details. Your agent keeps these things in mind, and can help you consider them from the get-go so that you’re not surprised (and scrambling for solutions) at the end of the production cycle.

6- Sourcing agents keep your production timelines on track.

Delays are far from uncommon in the production phase, but that doesn’t make them any less annoying. Sourcing agents understand how to plan for these types of things. They have extensive experience working with manufacturers in different parts of the world and they’re familiar with common hiccups, so they can build the appropriate buffers into your production timelines. Plus, if something does go awry between the sampling and production phases, your agent can handle quality control issues and help you ensure that the final product is absolutely perfect.

7- Sourcing agents put the entire globe at your fingertips.

Sourcing agents are all about “international,” and they can facilitate production almost anywhere. With their insider knowledge and existing relationships, they can help you determine the best place to produce your products—and that may be a country that you hadn’t even thought of! From Italy to Spain, China to India to the USA, no destination is off limits for an experienced agent.

8- Sourcing agents have invaluable knowledge.

Good agents spend years working in different countries, and those years yield the kind of knowledge you only get from firsthand experience. They’ve helped build brands and get top-quality products made, giving them unique insight into client-facing sales, branding, manufacturing, and other facets of the apparel production business.

9- Sourcing agents provide peace of mind.

Good agents are advocates for their clients, and provide an unbeatable sense of security. It takes an immense amount of time, money, and energy to build relationships with factories, and getting up to speed on other countries’ business protocols—like Italian factories taking the month of August off— doesn’t happen quickly. Your agent comes with all of these things already under their belt, and they know what kinds of things to look out for during every part of the process. With a multilingual, experienced sourcing agent (like the team at Benario Consulting), you’ll know that your ideas and needs are being conveyed accurately—and that you always have someone in your corner.

10- Sourcing agents are stress relievers.

It takes a village to create a quality fashion item—whether that’s Italian leather bags, shoes, or custom sports gear. Instead of spending time answering endless emails and calls from multiple parties and watching your stress levels rise, let your agent handle it. By working with one point of contact, you’re free to focus on other facets of your business.