Questions, answered.
Everything buyers usually ask about sourcing and manufacturing from India with Catalyst — getting started, pricing, quality, logistics, IP, and how India compares to China. Filter by topic or browse them all.
Getting started
How do I get started?
Send us a drawing or sample with the commodity, quantity and target price. We acknowledge it, sign an NDA if needed, and reply with next steps within 24 hours. See how we work.
What information should I send with an enquiry?
Ideally a 2D/3D drawing or a physical sample, the commodity or process, the quantity, and your target price. The more detail, the faster and more accurate our quote.
Who will be my point of contact?
One dedicated key account manager owns your project from RFQ to delivery — a single accountable person, not a call centre.
How quickly do you respond?
We reply within 24 hours, with a transparent quote or clear next steps.
Do I have to commit to anything?
No. Start with a single RFQ — there’s no lock-in and no obligation.
Pricing & engagement
How much does it cost to work with you?
Two options: project / RFQ-based work quoted upfront, or a retainership at USD 3,500 per month for a dedicated India purchasing office.
What’s the difference between the two models?
Project work is pay-as-you-go for one-off or occasional needs. The retainership is for continuous sourcing — a dedicated team driving your projects month after month.
Are there hidden margins in the part price?
No. Pricing is transparent and itemised — you see what you’re paying for, not a margin buried in the part cost.
Is there an advance for consulting?
No. Our consulting runs on a no-advance, success-oriented model — we charge only after work satisfaction. See consulting.
Can I start small?
Yes. Send a single RFQ as a project, see how we work, and move to a retainership whenever it makes sense.
Sourcing & suppliers
How do you find the right supplier?
From our network of 300+ audited suppliers plus targeted sourcing — we qualify them against your spec, capacity and target price, not just availability.
Do you audit factories?
Yes. Our in-house ISO 9001:2015 lead-auditor team evaluates suppliers before they touch your order. See audits & inspection.
Can you provide a second source?
Yes. Risk mitigation is built in — we can develop and qualify a second source so no single supplier ever holds you up.
Do you serve SMEs and small order quantities?
Yes. Through Catalyst SMART we serve SMEs and small volumes the big agents won’t touch — the same systems and access the large players get.
Manufacturing & capabilities
Do you make parts in-house or outsource them?
Both — our own works units and 300+ audited suppliers, chosen to fit your cost, quality and volume, with one team accountable either way. See manufacturing.
What can you make?
20+ commodities across casting, forging, CNC machining, sheet metal and fabrication, fasteners and springs, rubber and plastic moulding, electricals, surface treatment, and gearboxes. See capabilities.
Do you make to our drawings and tolerances?
Yes. Everything is made to your 2D/3D data, GD&T, material and mechanical-property requirements, with certificates and test reports for traceability.
Can you provide PPAP and samples before volume?
Yes. We run PPAP-aligned sample approval before any volume is made, so you sign off the part first.
Quality & inspection
Are you certified?
Yes — our quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015. The certificate is available on request. See quality & compliance.
What inspection standard do you use?
AQL sampling to ISO 2859-1 / ANSI-ASQ Z1.4, with the inspection level agreed to your risk and product.
What’s in an inspection report?
Dimensional, visual and functional checks against your drawing, packaging and marking, photo evidence, and the AQL result with a pass/fail verdict — within 24 hours.
How do you handle defects and root cause?
We use structured problem-solving — 8D, 5-Why and CAPA — to find the true root cause and put corrective and preventive action in place so it doesn’t recur.
Logistics & delivery
Can you ship from multiple suppliers as one shipment?
Yes. We consolidate goods from different suppliers and export them as a single consignment, which also saves on freight. See packaging & logistics.
Which Incoterms do you work with?
From EX-works through to DAP / DDU — you decide where our responsibility ends and we handle everything up to that point.
Do you handle export documentation?
Yes. We prepare export-worthy paperwork — commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, transport documents, material and test certificates, and customs declarations.
Can I track my shipment?
Yes. You get real-time, door-to-door tracking so you always know where your goods are.
IP & confidentiality
Is my tooling and IP protected?
Yes. Every engagement is NDA-first, your tooling is tagged and secured, and your drawings are shared only as far as needed to make your part.
Will my design be reused for someone else?
No. Your design, tooling and IP remain yours and are never reused for another customer.
Can you work under our NDA?
Yes. We’re happy to sign your NDA or provide ours before any sensitive information is shared.
Didn’t find your answer?
Send us your question or a drawing — we reply within 24 hours.