What is a Production Catalog?
A production catalog is a tool that helps you and the customer manage parts, prices, and batch orders over time. Think of it as a shared reference that defines which parts the customer plans to order, at what prices - giving both sides visibility and control.
It is not a manufacturing order and not a commitment to purchase. You won't need to start manufacturing anything based on a production catalog alone. You only manufacture and get paid when the customer issues a batch order, which will appear in your "Orders" table.
What does the supplier commit to?
When you quote on a production catalog, you're providing pricing and lead times for the parts and quantities listed. However, unless there is a separate commercial agreement in place (covering total quantities, batch sizes, and timeframe), the production catalog is not binding. The customer is not committing to order the full quantity, and you are not obligated to hold that pricing for smaller or differently timed batches.
When there is a commercial agreement accompanying the catalog, it can function similarly to a blanket order, with batch releases issued against it over time.
How do I respond to a Production Catalog RFQ?
Fill in your prices, lead times, and any relevant notes or DFM feedback, just as you would for any other RFQ.
Who creates a Production Catalog?
Only customers can create them. If you believe an order has potential for recurring batches, you can suggest to the customer that they set one up.
When do I get paid?
Payment is tied to batch orders, not to the production catalog itself. When a batch order is issued from the catalog, that's when the commercial transaction begins.