Getting Started with a New OEM Partner

If you are sourcing, there are three things to verify that most buyers overlook:

Autoclave Capacity: For laminated products, ask about their autoclave size and cycle times. A bottleneck here creates massive lead time delays.

Warehousing: Glass is heavy and fragile. A professional OEM stores glass on A-frames with rubber padding, not leaning against walls or stacked flat. If the warehouse is disorganized, the breakage rate is priced into your quote-you will pay for their waste.

CNC Capability: For any project requiring cutouts (handles in shower doors, sensor holes in automotive glass), a shop relying on manual drills will have high breakage. You want to see 5-axis CNC waterjet or drilling centers. That is the capital investment that separates a professional processor from a glazier with a saw.