Introduction: Why Supplier Selection Matters
In the $8 billion global candle market, 55% of B2B buyers report dissatisfaction with their first-year suppliers due to quality inconsistencies, missed deadlines, or hidden costs
As a IKEDA CANDLE—a certified candle manufacturer serving 500+ businesses since 2001—we’ve distilled the supplier evaluation process into 7 data-backed questions. Use this guide to:
✔ Avoid costly mistakes like non-compliant materials or capacity bottlenecks
✔ Compare suppliers objectively with our free [Scorecard Template]
✔ Fast-track your search—see how we meet every requirement below
1. Material Transparency: “Can You Provide Certifications & Test Reports?”
Why It’s Decisive
- 67% of bulk candle returns stem from wax/fragrance quality issues .
- Retailer lawsuits surged 200% over undisclosed paraffin blends (EU Consumer Safety Report)
What to Demand
| Material | Certifications to Request | Red Flags |
|---|---|---|
| Wax | USDA Organic, Kosher, RSPO | “Blended wax” (no %) |
| Fragrances | IFRA, Allergen-Free Declaration | “Proprietary blends” |
| Wicks | Lead-Free, ASTM F963 Toy Safety | Metal-core wicks |
How We Do It
- 📄 Instant Access: Download our [REACH/CE/MSDS docs]
- 🔬 Lab-Tested: 3rd-party reports on burn time (avg. 72 hrs for 8oz soy candles)
2. MOQ & Scalability: “What’s Your Minimum Order and Ramp-Up Capacity?”
Industry Benchmarks
| Buyer Type | Typical MOQ | Pain Points |
|---|---|---|
| Startups | 500–2,000 units | High per-unit costs |
| Retail Chains | 10,000+ units | Inflexible seasonal scaling |
Our Flexibility
- Trial Orders: 300 units (with sample kit of 5 fragrances)
- Volume Tiers:
[Graph showing price/unit at 1K/5K/20K units] - Case Study: Helped [EcoBrand] scale from 2K to 50K/month in 6 months
3. Customization: “From Scent to Packaging—What Can You Tailor?”
B2B Must-Haves
✅ Fragrance Development: 500+ pre-blended options or custom scent profiling
✅ Packaging Compliance: FDA/EU label rules, FSC-certified boxes
✅ Speed-to-Market: ≤3 weeks for stock designs
Our Capabilities
- Private Label Portal: Real-time previews of your custom candle
- Sustainability:
- 100% PCR jars (30% lower carbon footprint)
- Compostable sleeves (extra $0.12/unit)
4. Production Lead Times: “What’s Your Realistic Timeline?”
The Hidden Cost of Delays
- Each week of delay costs retailers $8.50/sq.ft in lost shelf space (Retail Dive)
Our Process
[Timeline infographic]
Day 1-3: Material confirmation
Day 4-14: Production (50K units/week capacity)
Day 15: QC + Shipping docs
Expedited: 12-day turnaround (+15% fee)
5. Quality Control: “How Do You Prevent Defects?”
B2B QC Standards
| Checkpoint | Method | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| Scent Throw | 30-person panel test | ≥4.5/5 rating |
| Burn Pool | 4-hr controlled burn | ≤1″ diameter |
Our Protocol
- Pre-Shipment: 3 units randomly tested per 1,000
- AI Inspection: Cameras detect wick misalignment (99.98% accuracy)
6. Logistics: “Who Handles Shipping & Customs?”
Cost-Saving Insights
- Air vs. Sea: $4.20/unit (5 days) vs. $0.90/unit (35 days)
- DDP Advantage: No surprise duties (we cover all import taxes)
Our Network
- US/EU Warehouses: Reduce delivery time by 60%
- Bulk Discounts: 22% lower freight for 40′ container loads
7. Proof of Performance: “Can You Share Client Examples?”
What Credentials Matter
- Same-Scale Clients: Ask for references matching your order size
- Crisis Management: How they handled a 50K-unit recall (if applicable)
Our Track Record
- [Hotel Chain]: Supplied 120K units/year with 0.01% defect rate
- [E-Commerce Brand]: Co-developed best-selling “Sea Breeze” scent (↑$2M revenue)
Conclusion: Your Next Steps
- Download: [Supplier Scorecard Template]
- Test: Request our [Sample Kit] (5 candles + compliance docs)
- Compare: Get a [Side-by-Side Quote] vs. your current supplier
Why 300+ Buyers Choose Us:
🔹 Transparency: Live factory tours via Zoom
🔹 Agility: 48-hour sample turnaround
🔹 Risk-Free: 100% defect-free guarantee
Need Customization? Tell us your requirements → [Get a Tailored Proposal]
