Manufacturer or Wholesaler? How to Tell With European Suppliers

Many companies that call themselves "manufacturers" online are

• in fact wholesalers
• traders or agents who subcontract production. That is not always a problem: a good trader can save you time. But you should know who actually makes your product
• because it affects price
• quality control
• lead times and who is responsible when something goes wrong.

Here is how to check a European supplier before you place an order.

Table of contents

• Manufacturer, wholesaler, trader: the differences
• 1. Check the business registry and activity code
• 2. Read the certificates carefully
• 3. Ask for production evidence
• 4. Ask questions only a factory can answer
• 5. Look at how they quote
• Red flags
• When a trader is the better choice
• FAQ

Manufacturer, wholesaler, trader: the differences

1. Check the business registry and activity code

Every EU company is registered in a national business registry, and most registries show the company's main activity code. In the EU these follow the NACE classification:

• Section C (codes 10 to 33) is manufacturing. For example, 14 is the manufacture of wearing apparel and 13 is textiles.
• Section G (codes 45 to 47) is wholesale and retail trade. For example, 46.42 is wholesale of clothing and footwear.

Useful checks:

• VAT number: validate it in the EU's VIES database to confirm the company exists and its VAT number is active.
• National registries: for example Companies House (UK), the Handelsregister (Germany), the RCS via Infogreffe or the Annuaire des Entreprises (France), and the commercial registries in Portugal and Spain.
• Turkey: Turkish companies are registered in the Trade Registry, and many exporters are members of an exporters' association for their sector.

The activity code is self-declared and a company can do both, so treat it as one signal, not proof.

2. Read the certificates carefully

Certificates are one of the best ways to see who actually produces. Many name the certified site and the processes it carries out.

• GOTS and GRS scope certificates list the certified company, its sites and the processing steps (for example "knitting, dyeing, manufacturing"). A trader will be listed as "trading" only.
• OEKO-TEX certificates name the holder and the products or production stages covered.
• ISO 9001 / ISO 13485 certificates name the site(s) covered.

Ask for the certificate, then check it in the certification body's public database where one exists. If the name or address on the certificate is a different company, you are probably dealing with a trader.

3. Ask for production evidence

A real factory can usually show:

• A live video call walking the production floor, not just a pre-recorded video.
• A machine list: types and number of machines (for example knitting machines, overlock, flatlock, embroidery heads).
• Photos of work in progress with your sample or a similar product on the line.
• The factory address, which you can check on a map and, ideally, visit.

4. Ask questions only a factory can answer

• What is your monthly capacity for this product, and how much is already booked?
• Which steps do you do in-house and which do you subcontract (fabric, dyeing, printing, embroidery, washing)?
• How many people work on the production floor?
• What is your sampling process and who makes the samples?
• Can I visit or send an inspector to the production site?

Traders tend to answer quickly and generally, or come back after "checking with production".

5. Look at how they quote

• Factories usually quote with an MOQ per style and colour and price breaks by volume, and they ask detailed questions about your fabric and construction.
• Wholesalers quote fixed prices for existing stock, often with low or no minimums but little customisation.
• Traders may quote quickly for almost any product category, which can mean they source from many different factories.

Red flags

• The company produces "everything": clothing, electronics, cosmetics and furniture.
• No address, or an address that is an office building or residential flat.
• Refuses any video call of the production floor.
• Certificates belong to another company.
• Prices far below what other factories quote for the same specification.

When a trader is the better choice

Working with a trader or sourcing agent is reasonable when you need several product types from different factories, when you do not speak the language, or when they provide

• quality control and handle logistics. Just make sure the arrangement is clear: who the producing factory is
• who inspects quality
• who is liable for defects.

How Supply EU helps

Supplier profiles on Supply EU show the company's country, location, product types, MOQs, lead times and certifications as declared by the supplier, and profiles are reviewed before they are shown as verified. Always complete your own checks before ordering. You can browse verified suppliers or post a request for quotes.

For the full sourcing process, see how to find a manufacturer for your product in Europe.

FAQ

How do I know if a European company is a manufacturer? Check its registry entry and activity code (NACE section C is manufacturing), ask for certificates that name the production site and processes, and request a live video call of the production floor.

What is the NACE code for clothing manufacturing? Division 14 covers the manufacture of wearing apparel. Division 13 covers textiles. Wholesale of clothing is 46.42.

Is buying from a wholesaler more expensive? Usually yes per unit, because the wholesaler adds a margin. But wholesalers often have lower minimums and stock available immediately.

Can a company be both manufacturer and wholesaler? Yes. Many factories also sell stock or blanks, and some subcontract part of their production. Ask which products are made in-house.