The following account details a real sourcing trip, though we have changed identifying details at the buyer’s request.
Recently, a founder-led eyewear brand from Northern Europe visited Wenzhou for the 2025 expo. Although they had sold Chinese-made products for two years, they previously bought through a European distributor. Consequently, they were paying distributor margins instead of factory prices. They planned this three-day Wenzhou trip specifically to cut out the middleman and build a direct manufacturing relationship.
Day One: Market Intelligence at the Expo
The team spent their first morning at the expo floor. However, they did not go there to find a new supplier. Since they had already researched our factory, they used the morning to gather market intelligence instead. They wanted to understand current pricing and see what competitors were buying. Furthermore, they looked for unique styles not yet available in the European market.
By noon, the founders had gathered three valuable insights. First, they gained a clear sense of market pricing for their favorite styles. Second, they photographed several new designs to show our team. Finally, they realized exactly how much margin their distributor had been taking. After a productive morning, they headed to our facility.
Day One Afternoon: Technical Deep Dive
The buyers arrived at our factory with a very specific brief. Specifically, they wanted to add a titanium line to their existing acetate collection. Their target audience includes professional individuals in their thirties and forties, primarily in Germany and Scandinavia. Because their retail price point sits between 180 and 280 EUR, they required premium quality.
Initially, we walked through the production floor for 30 minutes, focusing on titanium fabrication. The buyers asked technical questions about our hypoallergenic testing and the EN ISO 12870 standard. Moreover, they inquired about surface finishing for anodized titanium and specific alloy compositions. Our production manager answered these queries directly because the buyers had come well-prepared.
Next, we spent 90 minutes in the sample room. The team reviewed twelve titanium styles and selected four that matched their brand. We also discussed the photos they took at the expo. Since we already owned the molds for two of those styles, we provided immediate pricing. For the third style, we estimated the tooling costs and prototype timeline. By the end of the day, the buyers had a shortlist of six styles and clear pricing for 500 pairs per style.
Day Two: Confirmation and Rapid Sampling
On the second day, the team stayed at their hotel to review the data. They called their business partners and analyzed the factory notes. By early afternoon, they reached a final decision.
They chose to move forward with four styles. These included three from our range and one expo-referenced design. After we clarified some color specifications, they confirmed the sample order. Since these styles used existing molds, we started the process immediately. We finished the first samples within three days and the rest within seven. Consequently, the samples arrived in Germany while the team was still traveling.
Day Three: Comparison and Departure
The buyers returned to the expo on the third day for due diligence. They wanted to ensure no other exhibitors offered better quality or lower prices. Additionally, they looked for accessories like cases and cleaning cloths.
Ultimately, they confirmed that our factory pricing was 18% to 25% lower than the expo booths. For an annual order of 3,000 pieces, this saving easily covers the cost of multiple flights to Wenzhou.
The Final Result
Two weeks later, the team reviewed the samples and placed their initial order. They requested full OEM branding, including logos on the temple tips. Because we had already signed an NDA, the process was seamless. They wired the deposit within 48 hours.
Our team completed production in just 22 days. Afterward, the order arrived in Germany via air freight in five days. This efficiency allowed the brand to land their products 18 days before their launch date.
Why This Trip Succeeded
The buyers highlighted three main reasons for their success:
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A Precise Brief: They knew their customers, price points, and quantities before arriving.
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Market Context: Visiting the expo first helped them calibrate their price expectations.
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Advance Planning: Scheduling the visit two weeks early ensured a productive, focused conversation.
Plan Your 2026 Visit
If you want to achieve similar results at the 2026 Wenzhou expo, a structured three-day trip is ideal. Focus on the factory visit while using the expo for intelligence.
Factory visits are available May 8, 9, and 10, 2026. Contact us today to secure your slot.
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WhatsApp: +86 152 5809 0639 (Mimi)
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Email: mimi@wenzhouframe.com
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Wenzhouframe: Established 2015. Professional OEM/ODM eyewear manufacturing.
