How to split repeat orders between factories
Choose an allocation that meets each factory's MOQ, fits confirmed production slots and keeps usable stock available on the dates you need it. Compare total cost and agree enough repeat business to keep both sources willing and ready to supply. Coordinate the factory checks and allocation review with Cambridge China Bridge.
Start with qualified sources and a dated demand plan
This guide starts after both factories have passed your approval gates. If that is still unresolved, use second-source qualification. The allocation decision is which factory makes which quantity, in which production window, for which warehouse receipt date. Agree the planning period, approved specification, opening usable stock and demand by date before comparing options.
Government supply-chain guidance emphasises data and visibility as the basis for resilience decisions. Build an allocation sheet from current quotations, accepted orders, stock records and written capacity confirmations. Mark assumptions separately from commitments so an attractive split does not depend on unconfirmed supply.
Find allocations that both factories can actually accept
Ask each factory for MOQ by product, variant, material and packaging, plus order multiples and any price breaks. A combined buying volume does not automatically satisfy each factory's separate minimum. Check whether the smaller allocation supports an ordinary repeat run rather than relying on a trial concession. Our MOQ guide explains the underlying constraints.
Confirm available capacity for the proposed production window after existing commitments, material availability and planned downtime. Record the quantity, slot, confirmation date, expiry and conditions for reservation. Distinguish normal capacity from extra output that depends on overtime or subcontracting. Use factory capacity checks where the claimed availability needs checking.
Compare dated receipts, not just production completion
For each allocation, map factory completion, inspection release, dispatch, transport, clearance and warehouse receipt. Give every receipt a quantity, expected date and confidence status. Record when stock becomes usable after receiving checks. Keep held or rejected stock out of the opening balance, and avoid counting an existing inbound order again as new supply.
At each demand date, add usable receipts to the preceding stock balance and deduct demand. Flag shortages and excess stock separately. Repeat the comparison with a delayed receipt or an unavailable factory slot. Check whether the other factory has confirmed spare capacity and can deliver usable stock before the gap, rather than assuming it can absorb the displaced order.
| Field | Record for each factory | Allocation decision |
|---|---|---|
| Order feasibility | Quantity by variant, MOQ and order multiples | Can each factory accept its allocated run? |
| Available capacity | Confirmed slot, quantity and reservation conditions | Does the allocation fit capacity actually available? |
| Dated stock receipts | Usable quantity, warehouse date and confidence status | Does stock cover demand when it is needed? |
| Total cost | Comparable delivered costs, stock costs and cash commitments | What does the whole allocation cost? |
| Continuity | Repeat-run cadence, commercial terms and recovery capacity | Will both sources remain willing and ready to supply? |
Price the whole allocation on the same basis
Obtain quotations for the actual quantity allocated to each factory. Compare the same specification, currency assumptions, delivery scope and payment basis. Include production, setup, packaging, inspection, freight, consolidation, destination handling and applicable import charges. Identify shared shipment costs and allocate them consistently. Our landed-price guide explains the cost boundary.
Add storage, financing, excess-stock exposure and the cost of maintaining both sources. Show deposits and balance payments by date alongside the cost comparison. Keep recoverable taxes separate from economic cost where relevant, and show their cash timing. List possible delay, rework and emergency-freight costs as separate scenarios; do not present uncertain losses as firm savings.
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Choose a viable split and agree how it changes
Compare an even split, a larger main allocation with a smaller regular run, and alternating production runs where dated demand permits. Reject options that miss MOQ, capacity, receipt dates or your cash limit. Among feasible options, compare total cost with the continuity each buys. Ask both factories what repeat-run size and cadence keeps pricing, tooling readiness and production access workable. Avoid token orders that neither factory wants to repeat.
Record the chosen quantities, slots, receipt dates, cost assumptions, review date and buyer approval. Agree triggers for reallocating future uncommitted orders, such as a capacity change, missed receipt or unresolved quality problem. Confirm the receiving factory's capacity before moving volume and check existing commitments before cancelling. Cambridge China Bridge can coordinate confirmations through its own staff in China; the buyer approves the allocation.
Frequently asked questions
Should I split repeat orders equally between factories?
Only if both allocations meet MOQ, fit confirmed slots and cover dated demand at an acceptable total cost. An even split is a candidate to compare, not a default.
What if the smaller factory allocation is below MOQ?
Ask about combining variants or scheduling a larger, less frequent run without changing the approved specification. Recheck stock and cash exposure. If it still fails, that allocation is not feasible.
Which delivery date should I use to compare factories?
Use the date stock is expected to become usable at your warehouse. Retain production and dispatch milestones, but neither alone proves that demand will be covered.
How do I keep the backup factory ready for repeat orders?
Agree commercially worthwhile repeat runs, current terms, tooling readiness and capacity confirmation. Review actual performance and ask what capacity it can provide if the main source misses a delivery.