Introduction

China is a big producer of iron castings. With the improvement of casting technology, equipment and inspection methods, iron castings made in China are not only very advantageous in terms of price, but also rank among the best in the world in terms of quality control.

Therefore, the number of international buyers sourcing iron castings from China is also increasing. It is a very important process to get competitive quotes from Chinese iron casting suppliers.

In this blog post, we will discuss 6 steps to get a satisfactory iron casting quotation from Chinese suppliers, and hope you can get more benefits for your sourcing work after reading it.

1. Clarify the type and grade of iron castings

Different materials of cast iron parts, such as gray iron or ductile iron? Different casting processes, such as sand casting or die-casting? High grade or low grade? Different properties are applied in different ways and for different purposes.

It is important to determine the type and grade of iron casting you need in order to source the right product.

It is also important to note that there are differences in the way grades are marked depending on the country.

For example, the 250 grade of gray iron is marked as HT250 in China, GG25 in Germany, FC250 in Japan, and 35A in the United States.

Another example is the 600 grade of ductile iron, which is marked as QT600-3 in China, GGG600/3 in Germany, FCD600/3 in Japan, and 80-60-03 in the US.

When communicating with Chinese suppliers, please do not ignore the confirmation of the grade number to avoid errors in product quality.

2. Exact specification of iron casting

This includes the exact dimensions and any special requirements. For example, what national standard the quality of the iron casting needs to meet, such as ASTM A48, GBT1348-1988 or other national standards.

Whether the iron casting will require further machining or painting after production. If you have a drawing of the product with all dimensions and tolerances indicated, it will reduce communication costs and improve communication efficiency when both parties communicate about product specifications.

Also, specify the order quantity and packaging details, such as whether the castings need to be individually packaged or bulk packaged for export.

By having detailed information about the product you are ordering, and by providing detailed iron casting order specifications, the manufacturer can ensure that the buyer receives a product that meets his or her expectations.

This is especially important when ordering from China due to differences in standards and manufacturing processes.

By providing accurate specifications, buyers can minimize the chances of having to deal with issues such as incorrect dimensions, incorrect material composition, or poor quality.

With accurate order specifications and a reliable supplier, buyers can rest assured that they will receive iron castings that meet all of their requirements.

3. Find a reliable Chinese supplier

Finding a reliable iron casting supplier in China can be a challenging task. However, with the right approach and some research, you can find a reputable manufacturer that will meet your needs.

• Peer recommendations

Talk to industry experts or people who have worked with Chinese suppliers before. They may be able to provide you with valuable feedback on which suppliers are reliable.

• Online Research

Use the Internet to search for iron casting manufacturers in China. Compare reviews and prices of different suppliers and read customer testimonials to understand their quality and service.

• Visit industry exhibitions

Attend industry-related exhibitions and take the opportunity to meet face-to-face with potential suppliers. This is a great way to get to know the company, its products and its employees.

• See sample products

Ask suppliers for sample products before you buy in bulk. Ask for detailed information about the product, such as its composition, mechanical properties, quality inspection data, etc.

• Field visits

In this age of easy access, visiting a Chinese manufacturer’s field before making a decision has become an increasingly popular choice for international buyers. If it is not convenient, you can visit online with the staff via video conference.

4. Send your quotation requirements to potential suppliers

Please send the specification information, drawings and pictures of the iron castings you need, as well as your detailed requirements for the products, to your preferred potential suppliers in order to obtain an accurate quotation.

The quotation provided by the supplier will generally include contact information for both parties, product name, packaging details, order quantity, payment terms, production lead time, total and unit price, date and time limits, etc.

It should also be noted that iron castings are custom products that require the making of molds, and the cost of the molds will also be included in the supplier’s quotation.

Request quotes from different potential suppliers, this will enable you to compare prices and find the best deal. Once you have collected quotes from these potential suppliers, you can compare them and analyze the pros and cons.

5. Negotiation

After receiving the quotations and performing a comparative analysis, the next step is to negotiate with the supplier in order to reach an agreement on price, quality, delivery time and other details.

It is important to note that although price is an important factor in getting profit, the risk of low price cannot be ignored. A low price is not worth the loss if the quality of the cast iron product is affected, leading to obstacles in subsequent sales.

In addition, a cooperation must be reached is a win-win situation for both the customer and the supplier. If one party has little profit, or even loss, then such cooperation must not last long.

When negotiating with suppliers, a good strategy is to make small concessions on less important issues, while sticking to your position on more important ones. This can help build mutual trust and open communication between the two parties.

It is also helpful to emphasize the potential long-term benefits of cooperation, mentioning possible repeat orders or other opportunities for cooperation that may arise after successful completion of the contract.

Finally, it is important to be flexible about your expectations and open to compromise in order to find a solution that is mutually beneficial.

Iron casting suppliers are more likely to agree on terms if they feel their benefits are being taken into account, so make sure you listen carefully to them as well.

Listen carefully and stay open to focus on finding a win-win solution that will benefit both parties involved.

6. Get samples

It’s important to get samples from each potential supplier before mass production. This is because they will give you a good indication of the quality and consistency of the iron casting products they can provide.

Ask for representative samples of what they normally produce and be sure to make any special requests in advance if your product requires something outside the norm.

Suppliers who are willing to provide iron casting products will include an analysis report of the product’s material composition, graphite form, hardness and other data so that the customer can compare and analyze. As a buyer, it is also logical to ask the supplier for a test report when acquiring a sample.

Through inspection and testing of the samples, the value of the product is evaluated to match the price, and communication and adjustments are made accordingly.

Once the samples are confirmed to be qualified, a contract can be signed with the preferred supplier and your order is ready to go into mass production.

Conclusion

By following these 6 steps, specifying the type and grade of iron casting, the exact specifications of the iron casting, finding a reliable Chinese supplier, sending your quotation request to the potential supplier, negotiating, and getting samples, you can be sure to get a satisfactory iron casting quotation from a Chinese supplier.

We are Castimoo, an iron casting supplier from China. We have been deeply engaged in this industry for 30 years, specializing in designing, producing and selling grey cast iron and ductile iron products for you.

Our iron casting products are not only well received by customers in China, but also meet foreign standards and are exported to the United States, Japan, France and other countries, and are well accepted by overseas customers.

If you need to purchase iron castings for your project, please feel free to contact us via email (wingsxu@castimoo.com).

We hope that our products and services can bring you greater value.