Factory Audit Report for Furniture Hardware & Cabinet Hardware
Date of Audit: July 25, 2025
Location: Guangzhou, China
Auditee: [Redacted per NDA]
Auditor: [Your Company Sourcing & QC Team]
Client: U.S. Importer (Confidential)
1. Production Process & Raw Material Preparation
A. Furniture Hardware
1. Raw Material Sourcing & Grading:
- Materials: Zinc alloy, stainless steel, aluminum, iron, brass.
- Preparation:
- Supplier qualification (ISO 9001, SGS reports).
- Material testing (composition analysis, hardness, corrosion resistance).
- Grading by thickness, tensile strength, and surface finish (e.g., #304 vs. #316 stainless steel).
2. Production Workflow:
- Stamping/Molding: Dies cut/precision cast components (hinges, drawer slides).
- Machining: CNC drilling/tapping for screw holes.
- Surface Treatment: Electroplating (nickel/chrome), powder coating, or anodizing.
- Assembly: Automated/press-fit for hinges, locks, and handles.
- Packaging: Anti-rust paper, PVC sleeves, labeled cartons.
B. Cabinet Hardware
1. Raw Material Sourcing:
- Materials: Cold-rolled steel (for heavy-duty slides), POM plastic (soft-close dampers).
- Preparation:
- Dimensional tolerance checks (±0.1mm for slides).
- Load-bearing tests (e.g., 50kg+ for drawer runners).
2. Production Workflow:
- Wire Drawing/Cutting: Steel rods shaped into rails.
- Roll Forming: Slide channels formed via progressive dies.
- Heat Treatment: Quenching/tempering for durability.
- Quality Gates: 100% load-testing for soft-close mechanisms.
2. QC Inspection Points & Common Defects
A. Furniture Hardware
- Defects:
- Pitting/peeling in plating.
- Misaligned screw holes (±0.5mm tolerance).
- Weak spring tension (e.g., in hinges).
- QC Checks:
- Salt spray test (48hrs minimum per ASTM B117).
- Torque resistance (e.g., 10Nm for handles).
B. Cabinet Hardware
- Defects:
- Slide jamming due to burrs.
- Damper failure (premature wear).
- QC Checks:
- Cycle testing (50,000+ openings for slides).
- Noise level (<50dB).
3. Lab Testing Requirements
- Physical Tests:
- Load capacity (e.g., EN 15570 for hinges).
- Abrasion resistance (Taber test).
- Chemical Tests:
- RoHS/REACH compliance (Cd/Pb content).
- Adhesion (cross-cut test for coatings).
4. Factory Background & Compliance
- Market Focus: OEM/ODM for North America/EU.
- Certifications: Verified BSCI, ISO 14001, FSC (if wood-composite parts).
- Audit Trail: Reviewed production logs, subcontractor disclosures.
5. Product Classification
By Material:
- Metal: Stainless steel hinges, brass knobs.
- Plastic: Nylon glides, POM dampers.
By Function:
- Motion Hardware: Drawer slides, lift systems.
- Decorative: Handles, knobs (finish: brushed/antique).
By Application:
- Residential: Soft-close hinges (Blum-compatible).
- Commercial: Heavy-duty slides (120kg+ capacity).
Conclusion: The audit confirmed compliance with client specifications. Non-critical findings (e.g., minor PPE gaps) were addressed onsite. Report submitted per confidentiality terms.
Prepared by: [Your Team]
Date: July 26, 2025
Note: Factory identities redacted under NDA clauses.
Let me know if you’d like to emphasize any section (e.g., lab details or defect statistics).
