OEM and ODM radiators from China: how to brief a factory and get what you spec'd

Buying off-the-shelf radiators is straightforward; getting a radiator built to your own specification is a different conversation. Yet for importers, project developers and regional distributors who want a private label or a non-standard configuration, OEM and ODM production from a Chinese factory is a real and cost-effective path — provided you brief the factory correctly from the start. Written from the production side, this guide explains how that conversation should go.

OEM versus ODM: know which you need OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) means the factory produces to your drawing. You own the design; the factory makes it. ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) means the factory contributes the design — you choose from existing tooling, possibly with cosmetic or dimensional adjustments, and apply your branding. For most panel and column radiator buyers, ODM is the faster and lower-cost route: steel radiator tooling is expensive to create from scratch, and standard heights and widths (400 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm height; lengths from 400 mm to 3000 mm) already cover most project needs. True OEM — a wholly new casing profile, a proprietary connection geometry — makes sense once volumes justify the tooling investment, typically from a few thousand units per SKU per year.

What a complete brief must contain A vague brief produces a vague quotation and, worse, a product that does not match what you needed. A complete brief for a steel panel radiator covers: (1) **Type and panel count** — Type 11, 21, 22 or 33, single or double convector fins. (2) **Height and length range** — state each SKU or the size matrix you want to cover. (3) **Connection position** — side, bottom-center, or TBOE (top-bottom opposite ends); specify thread size (usually 1/2" BSP or 3/4" BSP). (4) **Working pressure rating** — typically 10 bar for European systems, up to 16 bar for some Russian district-heating specs. (5) **Finish** — RAL color, gloss level, inside coating (epoxy primer is standard; specify if your market requires a food-grade or potable-water-contact coating). (6) **Labeling and packaging** — language of the label, barcode format, individual vs. bulk carton, pallet configuration. (7) **Certification requirements** — CE / DoP for Europe; GOST-R or GOST-K for Russia and Kazakhstan; state which you need before sampling starts. Providing this upfront cuts revision cycles and prevents surprises at the type-test stage.

Sampling and type-testing before mass production No reputable factory — and no serious buyer — should skip this step. Once the brief is agreed, the factory produces pre-production samples. Your job is to test them against the brief: measure dimensions, check weld quality visually and under hydraulic pressure, confirm the finish matches the RAL reference, and weigh a unit against the spec sheet. If the radiator will be sold into a market requiring CE or GOST, type-testing at an accredited third-party lab must happen at this stage, not after you have taken delivery of a full container. Factor six to twelve weeks for testing and any remedial work into your launch timeline. Our [credentials page](/en/credentials) outlines the certifications our products currently hold; for a custom SKU, discuss which apply to your target market at the brief stage.

Tooling costs, MOQ, and lead time For ODM orders using existing tooling, minimum order quantities are typically discussed per SKU — common thresholds run from a few hundred to a few thousand units depending on size and type, though the exact figure depends on the factory's current production schedule. For OEM orders requiring new tooling, expect a one-time tooling charge that is amortized over the production run; agree in writing whether this is a fixed cost or credited back above a volume threshold. Lead time from confirmed artwork and deposit: eight to fourteen weeks is typical for a first-run ODM order including sampling; add time for certification if needed. Ask your contact for a production schedule in writing and build buffer into your delivery promise to end customers. Our [FAQ page](/en/faq) covers common questions about lead times and documentation.

Protecting your specification in the contract A purchase order alone is not enough protection for a custom product. The key documents are: a **product specification sheet** signed by both parties (dimensions, materials, finish, pressure rating, weight tolerances); a **golden sample** — a sealed reference unit held by both sides; and a **pre-shipment inspection** clause, either third-party (SGS, Bureau Veritas, or similar) or your own QC agent on the factory floor before containers are sealed. For private-label products, a basic NDA covering your artwork and design intent is standard practice. If you work with us on a custom project, we provide a signed specification sheet and reference samples as part of the sample stage. For any questions about starting an OEM or ODM conversation, reach us at [lunan@jdradiator.com](mailto:lunan@jdradiator.com) / [kevin@jdradiator.com](mailto:kevin@jdradiator.com) or +86-22-69189950.