CO-MAN Underwear Team
A senior marketing expert from CO-MAN with 18 years of experience in custom underwear.
5 Key Step for Choosing a Men’s Underwear
OEM/ODM Supplier
This guide outlines five key areas to evaluate when choosing a reliable men’s underwear OEM/ODM manufacturer, helping you build a sustainable B2B partnership.
Table of contents
Step 1—Factory Experience & Expertise
Selecting a manufacturer with substantial experience is crucial in the underwear industry. A long track record (at least 5–10 years, and preferably over a decade) indicates that the factory has honed its techniques, navigated common production challenges, and achieved operational stability.
Underwear, especially men’s undergarments, requires specialized know-how in fabric handling, elastic management, and fit consistency.
Suppliers with deep expertise are more likely to deliver consistent sizing and comfort, as they’ve solved countless construction issues that newer factories might still be encountering.
For example,CO-MAN is men underwear and swimwear manufacturer with more 18 years experiences who has served brands ( Jockey, Haawi, Nasty Pig, Bodyawear, Breedwell, Rodeoh, 2Eros, SKU, Joe Boxer, Good luck Undies） and keep more than 96% repurchase rate.
Through close collaboration, CO-MAN helped the NASTY PIG brand overcome procurement inefficiencies and successfully transform into a high-end men’s underwear brand.
From an initial annual order value of only $21,505 in 2012, NASTY PIG achieved over 15 times growth, reaching over $310,000 by 2025.
CO-MAN’s Factory
Step 2—Quality Assurance and Repurchase Rate
Quality control is not just a box to tick – it’s the lifeblood of repeat business in B2B manufacturing.
Reliable suppliers implement rigorous quality assurance at every stage: incoming material inspection, inprocess checks, and final AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) inspections before shipment .
Consistent quality means your products meet specifications batch after batch, which in turn keeps your customers satisfied.
In fact, consistent product quality is essential for driving repeat orders . A key indicator to
look for is a supplier’s repurchase or repeat client rate.
CO-MAN this with a 96% repeat customer rate – a remarkable figure in the apparel manufacturing
sector.
CO-MAN, for instance, offers a 100% quality guarantee for 2 years on its sales – meaning if any quality issues arise within two years, they will take responsibility to make it right.
This level of guarantee, coupled with a triple-step inspection process on each order, greatly reduces quality risks for buyers.
For overseas brands, partnering with a supplier that prioritizes quality assurance translates to fewer customer complaints, lower return rates, and protection of your brand’s reputation in end markets
Advantage Category | Details |
Cost Efficiency | Up to 20% lower cost compared with top-tier underwear suppliers |
Manufacturing Experience | 18+ years of specialization in men’s underwear manufacturing |
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) | Low MOQ starting from 100 units per style |
Global Client Base | Trusted by 5,000+ clients worldwide |
Production Lead Time | Fast turnaround: 25 business days for bulk orders |
IP Protection | NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) fully supported |
Quality Assurance | 100% after-sales quality assurance for all orders |
Key Manufacturing Advantages
96% Repurchase Rate
Step 3—Social Responsibility
A supplier’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility is more than a moral bonus – it’s an increasingly important selection criterion for global buyers.
Working with manufacturers that uphold Ethical labor practices, community engagement, and sustainable operations can strengthen your brand image and foster trust with consumers and partners .
In B2B relationships where long-term partnership is the goal, a factory’s values should align with your company’s values.
CO-MAN provides a real-world example: the company has been an active participant in the Lions Club charity sector for over 3 years.
Through this involvement, CO-MAN contributes to community welfare projects and charitable
initiatives.
Such engagement reflects a culture of compassion and responsibility within the company.
This matters because a socially responsible supplier is likely to treat its workers well, comply with international labor standards, and maintain a positive workplace – factors which often correlate with better product quality and fewer ethical issues that could disrupt your supply chain.
CO-MAN is Actively Involved in Charitable Activities
Step 4—Market Responsiveness and Product Improvement
The fashion and apparel market is fast-moving, and trends in men’s underwear (from fabric innovations to style preferences) can evolve quickly.
That’s why market responsiveness – a supplier’s ability to stay aligned with global trends and to react swiftly to client needs – is vital.
A manufacturer who regularly researches and innovates can help you stay ahead of the curve.
One sign of a responsive supplier is their engagement with the industry internationally
CO-MAN attends more than 5 international trade exhibitions annually (across the USA, France, Canada, the UK, and Japan). By actively participating in these expos, CO-MAN gains first-hand insight into emerging trends, new materials, and consumer preferences worldwide.
This exposure enables them to proactively suggest product improvements and new design ideas to clients, giving your product line a competitive edge in differentiation
Trade Shows Attended by CO-MAN
Step 5—Intellectual Property Protection
When engaging in OEM/ODM manufacturing, you often share proprietary designs, brand logos, and other sensitive information with your supplier.
Protecting this intellectual property (IP) is paramount – your unique product designs and innovations are key competitive assets.
A trustworthy manufacturing partner will have strong measures in place to safeguard your IP from leaks or infringements.
One essential practice is the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) for all custom projects.
CO-MAN demonstrates a strong commitment to IP protection by signing over 20 NDA
contracts annually for various custom client designs.
Each of these NDAs is reviewed by CO-MAN’s in house legal consultants, ensuring that the terms are robust and enforceable.
This proactive legal oversight provides extra assurance that CO-MAN treats client IP with the utmost seriousness.
Beyond NDAs, look for suppliers who enforce access controls (so that only authorized staff can view your tech packs or artwork) and who agree to not produce your design for anyone else.
Some manufacturers, like CO-MAN, even go a step further by restricting internal file sharing of client designs and conducting regular audits to prevent unauthorized use.
NDA Agreement
Conclusion—Summary and Key Takeaways
Risk Mitigation: By selecting an experienced, quality-driven, and ethically responsible supplier,
you greatly reduce the chances of production errors, compliance issues, and supply chain
disruptions. Each criterion – from a factory’s years of know-how to its IP security protocols –
helps safeguard your business against costly mistakes or legal troubles. This means more stable
operations and peace of mind as you scale your brand globally.
Product Differentiation: A market-responsive and innovative OEM can be an engine for your
product development. Their expertise and trend awareness enable you to launch unique, high
quality products that stand out from competitors.
Long-Term Supplier Trust: When your manufacturing partner consistently delivers on quality,
honors agreements (like NDAs), and shares your values (demonstrated through social
responsibility and honest communication), it builds a foundation of trust.
Evaluation Criteria | What It Means | Buyer Impact |
Experience & Expertise | Years of operation + industry know-how | Lower production risk |
Quality Assurance | QC process + repeat order rate | Stable product quality |
Social Responsibility | Ethical labor + sustainability | Brand reputation + compliance |
Market Responsiveness | Trend adaptation + samples capability | Faster innovation |
IP Protection | NDA + access control | Protect your designs |
Supplier Evaluation Criteria Summary
