Introduction: The Wholesale Dilemma We've Solved
Every wholesale buyer faces the same fundamental question: Do I order from existing inventory for immediate delivery, or wait for custom production that better matches my market needs?
For decades, ceramic manufacturers forced wholesalers to choose between:
Option A: Quick-ship stock items (often generic designs)
Option B: Long-lead customized items (with higher minimums)
At TX Ceramics, we’ve spent 25+ years evolving our manufacturing capabilities to eliminate this false choice. Our journey from small family workshops to a fully automated, digitally-driven smart factory has enabled us to create a third option: The Hybrid Production Model.
This isn’t just theory—it’s the practical result of our continuous investment in technology and processes, culminating in our Global Flowerpot Smart Manufacturing Industrial Park currently under development.
Part 1: Understanding the Three Production Models
Traditional Approaches & Their Limitations:
1. Pure Stock Model (The “Warehouse” Approach)
How it works: Factory produces large quantities of standard items, holds inventory
Wholesaler benefit: Immediate shipment (15 day delivery)
Wholesaler drawback: Limited selection, risk of unsold inventory, no customization
Our past: This was our 2008-2016 approach as we built our B2C sales system
2. Pure MTO Model (The “Custom Shop” Approach)
How it works: Everything made after order confirmation
Wholesaler benefit: Full customization, no inventory risk for factory
Wholesaler drawback: Long lead times (60-90 days), higher minimums
Industry standard: What most ceramic factories still offer today
3. Our Hybrid Model (The “Smart Manufacturing” Approach)
How it works: Strategic stock of bestsellers + Rapid-response MTO capacity
Your benefit: Fast shipment of core items + customization where it matters
Our capability: Enabled by our 2017 automated line and 2019 digital platform
Visual proof: Please visit our homepage or come to our factory to witness firsthand our flexible production practices.
Part 2: How Our Manufacturing Evolution Enables This Model
The Technology Foundation:
Phase 1: The Manual Era (1997-2016)
Family workshop beginnings
Established Huiyuan Corporation (twice, in 1999 and 2012)
B2C system development
Limitation: Production changes took days/weeks
Phase 2: Automation & Digitalization (2017-2021)
2017: Complete fully automated production line
2019: Digital factory platform built
2020: 3D industrial manufacturing base
Breakthrough: Quick changeovers between products
Phase 3: Smart Manufacturing (2022-Future)
2022: Global Flowerpot Smart Manufacturing Industrial Park foundation
Current: Real-time production monitoring
Future: Predictive inventory algorithms
Capability: Simultaneous management of stock and custom production
What This Means for Your Orders:
| Order Type | Traditional Factory | Our Smart Factory |
|---|---|---|
| Standard item | May be out of stock | Guaranteed from strategic inventory |
| Color variation | New production run (60 days) | Modified in production flow (20 days) |
| Size adjustment | New molds needed (90+ days) | CAD adjustment to existing molds (30 days) |
| Logo addition | Complex process | Digital integration into glaze process |
Part 3: The Hybrid Model in Practice
How We Determine What Goes into Strategic Stock:
Data-Driven Decision Making:
Historical Sales Analysis: Our top 20% of SKUs generate 80% of volume
Social Media Tracking: What’s trending on Instagram
Seasonal Patterns: Regional demand variations by quarter
Wholesaler Input: Partner forecasts and requests
Current Strategic Stock Categories (Examples):
6-inch Ribbed Terracotta: Always 5,0000+ units available
8-inch Matte White Cylinder: 3,0000+ units across regions
4-inch Mini Succulent Pots: 10,0000+ units for quick replenishment
See our current stock levels: Available to partners in our digital portal
The MTO Accelerator Program:
For items not in strategic stock, we offer three MTO tiers:
Tier 1: Quick-Modify (15-25 days)
Modify existing designs (color, slight size adjustment)
Minimum: 500 units
Example: Change our standard cream to your specific beige
Tier 2: Rapid-Develop (30-45 days)
New designs using existing mold systems
Minimum: 1,000 units
Example: Add your logo to our best-selling shapes
Tier 3: Full-Custom (60-75 days)
Completely new designs
Minimum: 3,000 units
Example: Exclusive shape for your chain stores
Part 4: Wholesale Partner Benefits & Case Studies
Benefit 1: Reduced Cash Flow Pressure
Traditional scenario:
You order 5,000 custom units, pay 50% deposit, wait 60 days, receive all at once, then gradually sell over 6 months.
Our hybrid scenario:
Order 1,000 units from stock (ship in 10 days)
Order 4,000 custom units (ship in 45 days)
Benefit 2: Market Testing Without Major Risk
Case Study: European Home Decor Chain
Challenge: Uncertain about new color palette for spring collection
Our solution:
Ordered 300 units each of 3 colors from our MTO accelerator program
Tested in 15 stores for 30 days
Winning color re-ordered as 5,000 units (stock + accelerated MTO)
Losing colors discontinued with minimal loss
Outcome: 37% higher sell-through than previous season
Benefit 3: Balancing Consistency & Novelty
For Garden Centers:
Stock items: Core sizes/colors that always sell (predictable revenue)
MTO items: Seasonal colors, local team logos, exclusive designs (premium margin)
For Online Retailers:
Stock items: Fast shipping for Amazon/eBay requirements
MTO items: Exclusive designs for your website/DTC channel
Benefit 4: Disaster Recovery
Real Example: 2023 Supply Chain Disruption
When a competitor’s factory had a fire, their wholesale partners faced 6-month delays. Our hybrid model allowed us to:
Supply immediate needs from strategic stock
Accelerate MTO production for their custom items
Transition three new wholesale partners within 60 days
Result: We gained long-term partners who value resilience
Part 5: How to Optimize Your Orders with Our System
Step-by-Step Planning Guide:
For New Partners:
Start with stock items for your first 2-3 orders
Analyze sales data to identify your best performers
Gradually introduce MTO elements (colors first, then designs)
Provide 6-month forecasts to help us optimize our strategic stock
For Established Partners:
Quarterly planning meetings with your account manager
80/20 analysis: Which 20% of SKUs give you 80% of revenue?
Seasonal planning: Share your promotional calendar 90 days ahead
Continuous feedback: What sold faster/slower than expected?
Digital Tools We Provide:
Partner Portal Features:
Real-time stock level visibility
MTO production tracking
Forecast submission system
Performance analytics dashboard
Access: Available to all partners with 5,000+ annual units
Part 6: Looking Ahead – The Future of Smart Manufacturing
Our 2024-2025 Roadmap:
Q3 2024: Enhanced Forecasting Algorithm
AI-driven prediction of your regional demand
Automatic stock adjustments based on your sales patterns
Benefit: Reduced stockouts of your key items
Q4 2024: Regional Stock Hubs
Strategic inventory placed closer to key markets
Benefit: 7-day delivery to major regions vs. current 30-day
2025: Complete Smart Park Integration
Global Flowerpot Smart Manufacturing Industrial Park fully operational
Capability: Real-time production switching between stock and custom
Target: 15-day standard delivery for any item, any customization
The Long-Term Vision:
As we work toward becoming the leading brand in the global flower pot industry, our hybrid model will evolve into a fully responsive manufacturing ecosystem where:
Your sales data directly influences our production planning
Regional trends trigger automatic design adjustments
Sustainability is built into every aspect of production
Every wholesale partner has a customized production relationship
Conclusion: Partnership as Production Strategy
The journey from our 1997 family workshop to today’s smart manufacturing capability has taught us one fundamental lesson: The best production model serves the customer’s business model.
Our hybrid approach isn’t about maximizing our factory efficiency—it’s about optimizing your inventory turns, your cash flow, and your market responsiveness. By leveraging 25+ years of manufacturing evolution, we’ve built a system that gives you the best of both worlds: the speed of stock and the specificity of custom.
This is more than a production method; it’s a partnership philosophy—one that recognizes your success as integral to our own growth as we build toward global leadership in the flower pot industry.
