Founded in 2006, ZFA Valves is a leading OEM/ODM manufacturer of industrial valves, specializing in butterfly valves, gate valves, and check valves. ZFA valves’ OEM/ODM services are available to customers in industries such as water treatment, HVAC, chemicals, and food and beverage. ZFA Valves is certified by ISO, CE, and WRAS, ensuring strict quality control and compliance with international standards. The following sections detail their valves OEM/ODM process, which is designed to meet customers’ specific requirements while maintaining efficiency and quality.
1. What is OEM vs. ODM?
1.1 OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
Under the OEM model, ZFA Valves produces valves based on specifications, designs, or drawings provided by customers. Customers provide detailed requirements such as size, material, brand, or packaging, and ZFA manufactures the product as required. This is suitable for customers with proprietary designs looking for a manufacturing partner.
1.2 ODM (Original Design Manufacturer)
Under the ODM model, ZFA Valves produces valves using its existing designs and expertise, allowing customers to customize things such as branding, logos, or minor modifications. This is more cost-effective for customers who want to use an off-the-shelf solution with limited customization.
ZFA Valves’ flexibility enables it to offer both OEM and ODM services, ensuring customers can choose a solution that fits their budget, timeline, and brand needs.
2. Valves OEM/ODM Process Steps
2.1. Customer Inquiry and Requirements Specification
The zfa valves OEM/ODM process begins with the customer submitting an inquiry to ZFA outlining their requirements, including:
– Product Type: Specifying the need for a butterfly valve, or custom valve assembly.
– Specifications: Detailing the size (e.g. butterfly valve DN15–DN3000), material (e.g. ductile iron, stainless steel, WCB, etc.), seat type (e.g. EPDM, PTFE), pressure rating (e.g. PN10, PN16, PN25, CL150), and operating temperature (e.g. LCB for -30 degrees and stainless steel for 500 degrees).
– Customization Requirements: For OEM, customers provide technical drawings or CAD files; for ODM, customers specify modifications to ZFA’s existing designs, such as logos or packaging.
– Application: Provide information on the valve application (e.g. water treatment, chemical, HVAC) to ensure compatibility.
– Quantity and timing: Order volume and delivery deadline.
ZFA Valves’ sales team provides a preliminary quote based on the inquiry and initiates a dialogue to clarify requirements.
2.2. Design and agreement
Once the requirements are clear, ZFA Valves enters the design phase:
– OEM design: If the customer provides drawings, ZFA’s engineering team reviews them for manufacturability to ensure compliance with standards such as API598, ISO or CE. If adjustments are required, ZFA works with the customer to refine the design.
– ODM design: For ODM, ZFA proposes an existing valve design from its product catalog. Customers may request modifications such as custom branding or specific materials.
Once the design is completed, ZFA provides detailed technical drawings for customer approval. Both parties agree on specifications, pricing and delivery terms and sign a pro forma invoice (PI).
2.3. Tooling and sample production
For OEM projects that require new designs, ZFA Valves manufactures tooling for valve components such as valve bodies, discs or handles. Its factory is constantly receiving equipment, including CNC and pressure testing equipment, and is committed to keeping its technology and machines at the forefront. For ODM, existing molds are used to shorten delivery time and reduce costs.
ZFA then produces samples according to the design. Samples are subject to rigorous testing, including:
– Sealing performance: Ensure no leakage at the specified pressure.
– Material compatibility: Verify corrosion or high temperature resistance.
– Dimensional accuracy: Confirm that it meets customer specifications.
The sample is sent to the customer for evaluation. If modifications are required, ZFA will repeat this valves OEM/ODM process until the sample meets expectations.
2.4. Customer approval and advance payment
After the sample is approved, the customer confirms the pro forma invoice and pays the advance payment for the bulk, usually 30% of the total order amount, in accordance with ZFA’s standard terms. This payment starts mass production. ZFA’s transparent communication ensures that customers understand the payment schedule and production stages.
2.5. Mass production
The production process of ZFA valves is characterized by strict management to ensure quality:
– Material selection: Purchase the same high-quality materials as the sample and go to the casting factory for valve blank manufacturing.
– Manufacturing: CNC machines are used to process valve bodies, valve plates, valve stems and other components.
– Assembly: The processed components are assembled accurately.
– Quality Control: Each valve is 100% pressure tested to API598 standard to check for leaks and structural integrity.
ZFA’s production capacity supports large-volume orders, focusing on reducing defects and delivering on time.
2.6. Post-production Documentation
After production, ZFA valves can provide customers with comprehensive documentation on request, including:
– Photos and videos: Visual evidence of the finished product and packaging.
– Test reports: Pressure and sealing test results.
– Certificates: ISO, CE or WRAS certification.
– Packing list: Details of quantity, packaging and shipping arrangements.
This transparency ensures that customers can verify product quality before final payment.
2.7. Final Payment and Shipping
The customer pays the remaining balance (e.g. 70%) according to the terms of the contract, usually when the bill of lading (B/L) is issued. ZFA Valves arranges shipping, offering options such as sea freight (for bulk orders) or air freight (for urgent deliveries).