Factory Auditing Report – White Birch Plywood Factory in Thailand
Date of Audit: July 15, 2025
Audit Team: Sourcing & QC Team
Client: U.S. Importer (Confidential)
1. Introduction
Our team conducted an on-site factory audit at a Thailand-based plywood manufacturing facility specializing in White Birch Plywood and UV-Coated Plywood (thickness: 12mm–18mm). The audit aimed to verify compliance with the client’s sourcing requirements, production capabilities, and quality control standards.
Note: Factory details are omitted per the confidentiality agreement with the client.
2. Factory Overview
- Product Range:
- White Birch Plywood (face/back: birch veneer; core: mixed Thai hardwood species).
- UV-Coated Plywood (for decorative/appearance-grade applications).
- Production Capacity: Stable output with adequate machinery for peeling, drying, gluing, and pressing.
- Certifications: Compliant with FSC Mix (partial certified sourcing) and CARB Phase 2.
3. Key Audit Points
3.1 Raw Material Sourcing
- Core Veneer Species: The factory uses locally sourced Thai hardwoods for core layers, including:
- Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) – High density, contributes to heavier plywood.
- Acacia (Acacia mangium) – Fast-growing, moderate density.
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) – Commonly used for inner plies.
- Takhian (Hopea odorata) – Durable hardwood.
- Malabar Ironwood (Xylia xylocarpa) – High strength.
- Face Veneer: Imported Russian birch veneer for birch plywood; Thai species for utility-grade products.
3.2 Production Process
- Peeling & Drying: Adequate drying kilns ensure moisture content (8%–12%).
- Gluing: Phenolic resin (PF) for waterproof bonding (tested via boil-proof test).
- Pressing & Sanding: Automated presses ensure uniform thickness; sanding lines meet surface smoothness standards.
3.3 Quality Control
- Testing: Random checks for thickness tolerance (±0.2mm), glue adhesion (EN 314-2), and formaldehyde emissions (≤0.05ppm by JIS A 1460).
- Defect Rate: ≤1.5% for A-grade panels (visually inspected).
3.4 Labor & Compliance
- No child labor observed; wages meet Thai minimum requirements.
- Basic safety equipment (masks, earplugs) provided but needs improvement in training documentation.
3.5 Logistics & Packaging
- Weight Issue: Rubberwood cores increase panel weight, limiting loading capacity:
- Thailand: ~16 pallets/40HQ container (vs. China: 18, Vietnam: 17, Indonesia/Malaysia: 20).
- Advantage: No U.S. anti-dumping/countervailing duties (unlike Chinese/Vietnamese imports).
- Packaging: Waterproof wrapping + edge protectors; marks comply with client’s labeling requirements.
4. Findings & Recommendations
- Strengths:
- Competitive pricing (no U.S. trade barriers).
- Reliable UV-coating technology for decorative panels.
- Improvements Needed:
- Enhance core veneer mixing to reduce weight (e.g., blend rubberwood with lighter Acacia).
- Formalize worker safety training records.
5. Conclusion
The factory meets the client’s baseline requirements for birch/UV-coated plywood. While weight constraints impact logistics efficiency, the absence of trade risks offers a strategic advantage. Recommend proceeding with trial orders pending minor corrective actions.
Submitted to Client: July 18, 2025
Confidentiality Notice: This report omits factory identifiers per NDA terms.
Vocabulary Note:
- Plywood Core Species: Rubberwood, Acacia, Eucalyptus, Takhian, Malabar Ironwood.
- Trade Terms: Anti-dumping (AD), Countervailing Duty (CVD), FSC Mix (Forest Stewardship Council).
