HOW OARLY WORKS
A clear process
from requirement
to delivery
Every project begins with understanding what your business needs.
From there, Oarly helps clarify the requirement, assess suitable products and supply options, coordinate the agreed manufacturing and quality stages, and support delivery through one managed process.
You do not need a complete technical brief to begin. A product image, link, sample, specification or simple description can be enough for an initial review.
THE PROCESS
Nine stages from first enquiry to repeat supply
The stages below provide a clear framework. The exact sequence, level of detail and third-party involvement will depend on the product, category, quantity, customisation and risk profile.
Submit Your Requirement
Share the product, quantity, intended use, destination and information currently available.
02Initial Requirement Review
Clarify the scope, identify missing details and assess whether Oarly can assist.
03Product & Supply Assessment
Determine whether bulk supply, private label, modification or custom manufacturing is most suitable.
04Supply Options & Proposal
Review specifications, quotations, MOQ, lead time, service scope and assumptions.
05Samples & Approval
Assess samples, packaging and reference standards before the order proceeds.
06Order & Production
Confirm terms, place the order and coordinate production milestones.
07Quality Assurance
Coordinate suitable checks or inspections within the agreed scope.
08Freight & Delivery
Coordinate shipping, documents, brokerage providers and destination delivery.
09After Delivery
Review feedback and support repeat orders, improvements and future product extensions.
The process is managed, but it is not rigid. Oarly adjusts the scope to the product and the commercial outcome rather than applying unnecessary stages to every enquiry.
STEP 01 · SUBMIT YOUR REQUIREMENT
Tell us what you need
Provide as much information as you currently have. A formal product brief is not required at the first stage.
You may begin with a product link, photograph, existing sample, supplier quotation, specification sheet, packaging reference or a short description of the commercial outcome you want to achieve.
The initial information helps Oarly understand whether the enquiry relates to an existing bulk product, a private label opportunity, a product modification or a fully custom manufacturing project.
Helpful information
Product description or reference · Intended use · Estimated quantity · Preferred materials or dimensions · Branding or packaging needs · Target budget or price expectation · Required timeline · Delivery location
Do not delay your enquiry because every detail is not yet confirmed. Oarly can identify the information needed for the next stage.
What you can send
- Product photograph or website link
- Specification sheet or drawing
- Existing physical sample reference
- Current supplier quotation or product details
- Logo, artwork or packaging reference
- Required quantity or expected order range
- Destination country and delivery location
- Target timeline and known compliance needs
STEP 02 · INITIAL REVIEW
We clarify the requirement before approaching suppliers
Oarly reviews the information provided and identifies any details that need to be confirmed before meaningful sourcing or manufacturing work begins.
This stage helps prevent suppliers from quoting against different assumptions and reduces the risk of comparing options that are not genuinely equivalent.
Oarly may also identify an early commercial, technical, regulatory or logistics issue that should be considered before further work is undertaken.
Product clarity
What is the product, how will it be used and which specifications are essential?
Commercial fit
Are the quantity, target cost, timeline and expected customisation realistic?
Category considerations
Does the category involve special materials, testing, certification, labelling or shipping constraints?
Available information
What samples, drawings, artwork, reports or supplier records are still required?
Possible outcome: Oarly may request clarification, recommend a preliminary assessment, confirm the next sourcing stage, or advise that the project is not currently suitable for Oarly to undertake.
STEP 03 · PRODUCT & SUPPLY ASSESSMENT
We identify the most suitable supply pathway
Not every requirement should be handled in the same way. Oarly assesses the best pathway according to the product, category, quantity, customisation and commercial objective.
Existing Product / Bulk Supply
Best when the product already exists and the main need is commercial quantity, price, packaging and reliable supply.
Private Label
Best when an established product can carry the client’s brand, labels, packaging or presentation changes.
Existing Product + Modification
Best when colour, size, material, components, features or packaging need to change.
Fully Custom Manufacturing
Best when the product begins with a concept, drawing, sample, technical specification or new design.
Specialised or regulated products may require a separate preliminary review before supplier engagement, sampling or quotation work begins.
STEP 04 · SUPPLY OPTIONS & PROPOSAL
Review the proposed product, commercial terms and service scope
Once the requirement is sufficiently clear, Oarly assesses suitable supply or manufacturing options and prepares a proposal or quotation based on the agreed information.
A bulk order may focus on specifications, quantity, unit pricing and delivery. A custom project may require development costs, sample stages, tooling, packaging, production milestones and a more detailed quality process.
The proposal should identify material assumptions and exclusions so that the parties understand what has and has not been included.
A proposal may include
Product or manufacturing specification · Supplier or production option · Unit price and currency · MOQ · Sample or development charges · Tooling · Packaging options · Production lead time · Quality assurance scope · Freight basis · Service fees · Payment stages · Assumptions and exclusions
No invented prices. Commercial details are prepared for the confirmed requirement.
Decision point: Review the option, ask questions and confirm whether to proceed to samples, further development or order confirmation.
STEP 05 · SAMPLES & APPROVAL
Confirm the product before full production
Where appropriate, a sample is sourced, prepared or developed for client review before full production begins.
The client may review materials, dimensions, function, colour, workmanship, branding, packaging and other agreed characteristics. Feedback is communicated and, where required, further sample development may be coordinated.
An approved sample can provide an important production reference, but the reference standard, permitted tolerances and inspection method should still be recorded clearly.
Existing Sample
A standard supplier sample confirms an established product before a bulk order.
Branded or Modified Sample
Selected branding, colour, material, component or packaging changes are reviewed.
Prototype or Development Sample
A new or substantially customised product develops through one or more sample stages.
Approval may cover: Product specification · Materials · Dimensions · Colour reference · Logo placement · Packaging · Labels · Instructions · Workmanship reference · Functional requirements
Sample approval does not remove normal manufacturing tolerances or every production risk. Record the agreed production and inspection criteria separately where necessary.
STEP 06 · ORDER & PRODUCTION
Move from approval into managed production
Once specifications, samples, commercial terms and the applicable payment stage are confirmed, the order can proceed.
Oarly coordinates the agreed supplier communication, production schedule, specification records and key milestones. Material changes, issues or delays are communicated during the process, subject to the level of management included in the project scope.
A repeat order may require limited monitoring, while a new custom product may require more frequent coordination and checkpoints.
Order Confirmation
Confirm product, quantity, packaging, pricing, payment, timing and applicable terms.
Production Scheduling
Establish target stages, material timing and the shipment-readiness date.
Progress Visibility
Monitor agreed milestones and provide relevant status updates.
Issue Coordination
Clarify specifications, escalate material issues and coordinate practical responses.
STEP 07 · QUALITY ASSURANCE
Check against the agreed requirements
The appropriate quality process is determined according to the product category, order value, complexity, previous supplier performance and risk profile.
Oarly helps coordinate agreed quality specifications, reference samples, packaging requirements and suitable checking or inspection processes. Checks may be performed by the manufacturer, an Oarly service partner or an appropriately qualified independent provider.
Possible outputs: Inspection report · Photographs · Quantity records · Defect information · Packaging check · Corrective action request · Reinspection recommendation · Shipment readiness decision
No inspection can guarantee the absence of every defect or eliminate all quality and compliance risk. Confirm the scope, sampling method, acceptance criteria and responsibilities.
STEP 08 · FREIGHT & DELIVERY
Coordinate shipment from supplier to destination
Oarly works with suitable logistics providers to coordinate the movement of goods from the supplier to the agreed destination.
The process may involve factory collection, consolidation, export documentation, sea or air freight, customs brokerage, destination charges, delivery appointments and shipment tracking.
Sea Freight
Often suitable for larger commercial shipments and less time-sensitive orders.
Air Freight
Often suitable for smaller, urgent or higher-value shipments.
Consolidated Freight
May combine suitable shipments to improve logistics efficiency where available.
Possible coordination: Freight quotations · Shipping-method comparison · Export documents · Consolidation planning · Booking coordination · Customs-broker referral · Shipment tracking · Destination delivery
Freight forwarding, customs brokerage, transport and related regulated services are performed by appropriately qualified providers where required. Duties, taxes and destination charges depend on the agreed terms.
STEP 09 · AFTER DELIVERY
Support repeat supply and future improvements
For ongoing commercial products, Oarly can retain relevant specifications, packaging information, supplier records and previous order requirements to make repeat purchasing more efficient.
Feedback after delivery can help identify quality, packaging, cost, logistics or product-development improvements for the next order. Where appropriate, Oarly may review alternative supply capacity or product extensions as the business grows.
Quality Feedback
Record observations and identify corrective or preventive action.
Repeat Order Planning
Review quantities, lead times, inventory needs and production windows.
Packaging Improvements
Consider protection, presentation, labelling, cartons and freight impact.
Cost and Freight Review
Reassess product cost, order size, consolidation and shipping.
Supply Continuity
Maintain key product records and consider alternative capacity.
Product Extensions
Explore sizes, colours, bundles, categories or private label additions.
A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS
Clear information and timely decisions help keep the project moving
Oarly manages the agreed coordination, but successful sourcing and manufacturing also depend on the client providing accurate information, reviewing options and making decisions at the appropriate stages.
Helpful client inputs
- A clear intended use
- Realistic quantity range
- Essential and optional specifications
- Reference images or samples
- Destination-market information
- Branding, artwork and budget expectations
- Decision-makers and approval process
- Timely feedback and notice of changes
Why it matters
- Suppliers quote more accurately
- Samples use the correct criteria
- Production changes are controlled
- Quality expectations are clearer
- Compliance pathways are considered earlier
- Freight options are compared meaningfully
- Missing-approval delays are reduced
The strongest projects begin with a clear commercial objective, even when the technical details still need to be developed.
FLEXIBLE BY DESIGN
Not every project requires every stage at the same level
The process is adjusted to the work actually required. Oarly does not add unnecessary development stages to a straightforward purchase, and it does not treat a complex custom product as if it were a simple catalogue order.
Existing Bulk Product
Requirement review, supplier option, quotation, sample where needed, order coordination, quality check and freight.
Private Label or Modified Product
Adds branding, packaging, material or specification changes, sample approval and more detailed coordination.
Fully Custom or Specialised Product
May require technical clarification, development samples, tooling, testing, specialist review, multiple approvals and a detailed quality plan.
CLEAR ROLES
Appropriate expertise for each stage
Oarly coordinates the commercial and operational process within the agreed scope and acts as a clear point of contact between the client and relevant suppliers or service providers.
Where specialist services are required—such as laboratory testing, product certification, registration, legal advice, customs brokerage, dangerous-goods handling or independent inspection—Oarly may coordinate with appropriately qualified third-party providers.
Responsibilities, service fees, third-party charges, assumptions and exclusions should be confirmed before the relevant work proceeds. Supplier selection, sampling, inspection, testing or coordination cannot eliminate every commercial, quality, delivery or compliance risk.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions about working with Oarly
These answers cover the process, product categories, minimum order quantities, samples, existing suppliers, third-party services, payment stages and common project risks.
Do I need a complete product specification before contacting Oarly?
No. Begin with a product link, image, sample reference, drawing or simple description. Oarly can identify what must be clarified before meaningful sourcing or manufacturing work begins.
How long does the process take?
Timing depends on the category, customisation, samples, supplier availability, production lead time, quality process and freight method. Oarly provides available timing information and assumptions as the project becomes clear.
Will every project go through all nine stages?
No. The nine stages are a framework. A bulk order may use a shorter process, while a custom, specialised or regulated product may require additional development, testing or approvals.
Can Oarly begin from a product link or competitor reference?
Yes. A reference can communicate intent, but Oarly must confirm the relevant features, materials, dimensions, branding and commercial requirements. Intellectual-property and design rights must be respected.
Can I use my existing supplier?
Yes. Oarly may assist with production coordination, specification clarification, quality assurance, inspection coordination or logistics even when the supplier has already been selected.
Are samples always required?
Not always. Samples are often useful for new suppliers, private label, modified or custom products, but the need depends on the product, order value, previous experience and risk profile.
Does sample approval guarantee that every production unit will be identical?
No. Manufacturing normally involves defined tolerances and variation. The approved sample is an important reference, but quality criteria, inspection scope and acceptable tolerances should also be confirmed.
Who performs inspections, testing and certification?
Checks may be performed by the manufacturer, an Oarly service partner or an appropriately qualified independent provider. Laboratory testing, certification, registration and specialist services are handled by qualified providers where required.
When is payment required?
Payment timing depends on the quotation and project. It may include sample or development charges, deposit, production balance, service fees, third-party costs and freight. Applicable stages are confirmed before work begins.
What happens if a problem arises during production or shipment?
Oarly helps identify material issues, communicate them clearly and coordinate a practical response. The available remedy depends on the cause, evidence, contract terms, supplier response and project circumstances.
Can Oarly help with a product that is not listed in Categories?
Possibly. Categories are representative rather than a fixed catalogue. Send a description, image, link, specification or sample reference and Oarly will assess whether a suitable pathway may be available.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
MOQ varies by product, manufacturer, materials, packaging, branding and customisation. The relevant MOQ is confirmed when suitable supply options are reviewed.
Does Oarly publish fixed wholesale prices?
No. Pricing depends on specification, quantity, packaging, current production costs, destination, freight and project scope. It is prepared for the specific requirement.
Can Oarly support only one stage of the process?
Yes. Oarly may provide a targeted service such as supplier assessment, production coordination, quality inspection coordination or logistics support. The agreed scope should be documented before work begins.
Can Oarly guarantee product compliance, quality or delivery dates?
No. Oarly helps define requirements, coordinate suitable checks and manage the agreed process, but cannot guarantee that every defect, delay, regulatory issue or third-party disruption will be eliminated.
START THE PROCESS
Tell us what you are looking for
Send us the product information you currently have—whether it is an existing product required in bulk, a private label opportunity, a modified product or a new manufacturing concept.
Oarly will review the requirement and help identify an appropriate next step.