OEM customization has become an important cooperation mode in the steel prop industry. It refers to the cooperation mode in which steel prop manufacturers (OEM suppliers) produce steel props according to the specific requirements of customers (brands or distributors), and the products are sold under the customer’s brand after production. This mode not only gives full play to the production capacity and technical advantages of OEM manufacturers, but also helps customers save production costs and quickly launch products that meet market demand. The OEM customization process of steel prop manufacturers has strict operational specifications and logical links, and each stage is closely connected to ensure the smooth progress of customization and the stability of product quality.
The first stage is demand communication, which is the foundation of the entire OEM customization process. Customers need to clearly put forward their specific requirements for steel props to the OEM manufacturer, including product specifications (such as adjustable length, load-bearing capacity, tube diameter and thickness), material requirements (such as Q235, Q355 steel), surface anti-corrosion treatment (such as hot-dip galvanizing, painting, powder coating), brand customization (such as logo printing, packaging design), quantity requirements, delivery cycle and quality standards. At the same time, OEM manufacturers need to actively communicate with customers, understand their brand positioning, target market, application scenarios and budget constraints, and put forward professional suggestions based on their own production experience and technical capabilities to optimize the customization plan and avoid unreasonable requirements that affect production efficiency and product quality. This stage requires full communication between both parties to form a written demand document, which lays a foundation for the subsequent design and production.
The second stage is program design and confirmation. Based on the confirmed demand document, the OEM manufacturer’s technical team conducts product structure design, process design and cost accounting. The design content includes the structural design of steel props (such as inner and outer tube matching, locking mechanism design), the formulation of production processes (such as cutting, welding, surface treatment), and the design of brand elements (such as logo position, font and color). The manufacturer will issue a detailed design plan, including 2D/3D drawings, process flow charts, cost quotes and delivery schedules, and submit it to the customer for review. Customers can put forward revisions and suggestions according to their own needs, and the manufacturer will adjust and optimize the plan until both parties reach an agreement and sign the design confirmation document. This stage is crucial to ensure that the customized product meets the customer’s expectations and technical requirements.
The third stage is sample development and approval, which is the key link to verify the feasibility of the customization plan. According to the confirmed design plan, the OEM manufacturer will produce 1-5 sets of samples. The sample production strictly follows the designed process and quality standards, including material selection, processing, surface treatment and brand printing. After the sample is completed, the manufacturer will conduct preliminary quality inspection, and then send the sample to the customer for confirmation. Customers need to check the sample’s appearance, size, load-bearing performance, anti-corrosion effect and brand customization effect, and conduct relevant tests if necessary. If the sample does not meet the requirements, the customer will put forward revision opinions, and the manufacturer will re-produce the sample until the customer confirms and approves the sample. The approved sample will be used as the standard for mass production to ensure the consistency of batch products.
The fourth stage is contract signing. After the sample is approved, both parties will sign a formal OEM customization contract, which clearly stipulates the product specifications, quantity, quality standards, delivery cycle, payment terms, intellectual property rights, after-sales service and liability for breach of contract. The contract is an important guarantee for the rights and interests of both parties, which can avoid disputes in the subsequent cooperation process. For example, the contract will clarify that the OEM manufacturer shall not sell the customized products to third parties without the customer’s permission, and the customer shall pay the corresponding payment according to the agreed time. At the same time, both parties will confirm the production schedule and communication mechanism to ensure the smooth progress of mass production.
The fifth stage is mass production, which is the core implementation link of the OEM customization process. Before mass production, the OEM manufacturer will sort out the production materials, debug the production equipment, train the production personnel, and formulate a detailed production plan to ensure the stability of production efficiency and product quality. During the production process, the manufacturer will strictly follow the approved sample and design plan, and implement full-process quality control: strictly inspect the raw materials to ensure that they meet the material requirements; monitor the key processes (such as welding, surface treatment) to avoid process defects; conduct random inspections of semi-finished products to timely find and solve problems. In addition, the manufacturer will keep in touch with the customer in real time, feedback the production progress regularly, and inform the customer of any abnormal situations in a timely manner to ensure that the customer understands the production status.
The sixth stage is quality inspection and testing. After the mass production is completed, the OEM manufacturer will conduct a comprehensive quality inspection of all customized steel props. The inspection items include appearance inspection (no deformation, corrosion, scratches, logo printing is clear and standard), size inspection (consistent with the design drawings), load-bearing performance test (meets the agreed load-bearing requirements), anti-corrosion performance test (such as zinc layer thickness detection for hot-dip galvanized products), and structural stability test. The inspection is carried out in accordance with relevant international and domestic standards (such as EN 1065, GB/T 2518-2019) and the agreed quality standards. For unqualified products, the manufacturer will conduct rework or scrapping treatment, and re-inspect until all products meet the requirements. At the same time, the manufacturer will issue a quality inspection report to the customer, providing a basis for the customer’s acceptance.
The seventh stage is packaging and delivery. According to the customer’s requirements, the OEM manufacturer will package the qualified steel props. The packaging method usually adopts wooden pallets, plastic films or cartons to avoid damage during transportation. The packaging will be printed with the customer’s brand logo, product specifications, quantity and other information to meet the customer’s brand promotion and logistics management needs. Before delivery, the manufacturer will confirm the delivery address, transportation method (such as land transportation, sea transportation) and receiving person with the customer, and arrange the logistics in a timely manner. During the transportation process, the manufacturer will track the logistics status and inform the customer of the arrival time in advance. After the goods arrive, the customer will conduct acceptance according to the contract and quality inspection report, and the OEM customization process is completed after the acceptance is passed.
It should be noted that the OEM customization process of steel prop manufacturers also includes after-sales service links. After the delivery of the products, if the customer finds quality problems (non-human damage), the OEM manufacturer will timely respond to the customer’s needs, send professional personnel to investigate and deal with them, and provide rework, replacement or maintenance services according to the contract agreement. In addition, the manufacturer will collect the customer’s feedback on the products, optimize the production process and product design, and provide better OEM customization services for the customer in the follow-up cooperation.
In practical application, the OEM customization process of steel prop manufacturers needs to focus on two core points: one is to ensure the consistency of product quality, which requires the manufacturer to strictly implement the quality control system and follow the approved sample and design plan in the production process; the other is to ensure the timeliness of delivery, which requires the manufacturer to formulate a reasonable production plan, optimize the production process, and avoid delivery delays due to production problems. Only by standardizing the OEM customization process and strengthening the communication and cooperation between both parties can we ensure the smooth progress of customization and achieve a win-win situation between the OEM manufacturer and the customer.
References
1. GB/T 7714 Format
Yuantai Derun. OEM Customization Process for Steel Prop Manufacturers: Standards and Guidelines[EB/OL]. [2026-04-17].
2. MLA Format
American Galvanizers Association. "OEM Customization Service for Steel Props." American Galvanizers Association, 2026. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
3. APA Format
Laoting Zhuozhan International Trading Co., Ltd. (2026). Steel Prop OEM Customization Process and Quality Control Standards.