Case Study: Custom Open-End Zipper for a Military Supply Contractor in Austria
Source:Stainless Steel Flower Vase /
Time:2026-09-18
Open-End Zipper for a Military Supply Contractor in Austria
A Military Supply Contractor approached us with a open-end zipper requirement for the Austria market. The brief was specific: a defined look, a hard launch date and a unit cost that had to survive freight and duty. This case study records what was specified, what went wrong in sampling and how the bulk order was delivered.
The challenge
- Shrinkage that only showed up after the first wash
- Shade drift between the approved lab dip and the bulk lot
- MOQ that was quoted per colourway rather than per style
What we specified
| Item | Open-End Zipper |
|---|---|
| Client type | A Military Supply Contractor |
| Market | Austria |
| Order volume | 5,000 pieces across 6 specifications |
| Base material | Aluminium |
| Standard size | 6 mm Width |
| Finish | Chrome Plating |
| Sampling rounds | 3 |
| Delivery window | 6 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | EN 71-3 |
How it was resolved
- We rebuilt the specification around Aluminium and locked the tolerance before bulk.
- The finish was moved to Matte Black Coating after strike-off tests showed better durability.
- A pre-production sample was approved and retained as the golden reference.
- Production ran with in-line inspection and a mid-run photo report.
- Cartons were packed to the client's own barcode and ratio specification.
Result
- 5,000 pieces delivered inside the 6-week window.
- Unit cost held within 4.5% of the original quotation.
- Inspection-related rejection stayed under 1.0%.
- The specification is now on file, so reorders reproduce the approved sample.
What we would repeat
Keep one accountable owner on both sides. Most delays come from hand-offs, not from machines.
Planning something similar?
Tell us the item, the quantity and the delivery window. We will quote it with the sub-processes named, so the lead time you approve is the lead time you get.
