What is the typical production capacity of factories that supply companies to import custom metal parts from Vietnam?

When I started exploring Vietnam as a sourcing hub, I expected large-scale industrial production—but reality looked more flexible, and surprisingly modular.

Vietnamese factories that produce custom metal parts typically operate at a mid-scale capacity: 300–500 metric tons per month for fabrication, tens to hundreds of tons for CNC machining, and dozens of tons for precision casting.

This scale is ideal for buyers seeking balance: enough output for commercial orders, but small enough to stay agile and respond quickly.

How do small and large factories differ in Vietnam?

In my early visits, I saw everything—from 10-man workshops to huge campuses with automated lines. The difference was night and day.

Small factories in Vietnam offer flexibility and lower MOQs, while large factories bring volume and certifications. Both serve different needs depending on your order size and part complexity.

Let’s look at the two ends of the spectrum:

Comparison Table: Small vs Large Metal Factories in Vietnam

Small factories are more likely to take a risk on custom samples, odd materials, or urgent timelines—but they usually have limited material stock and less negotiating power with raw material vendors. A large plant, by contrast, might reject your order unless it hits their MOQ threshold (e.g., 10,000+ injection parts, 30,000+ castings).

For buyers importing to the U.S. or Europe, you may need to balance between a large factory's capability and a small factory's flexibility, depending on project phase.

What factors influence a factory’s production scale?

When I evaluated suppliers, I learned that not all “large” factories can do “big” production. Scale depends on more than square footage.

A Vietnamese factory’s production scale depends on its machinery, automation level, labor structure, product type, and customer profile. Certifications and export experience also play a role.

Several key factors drive a factory’s actual throughput:

Table: Key Factors Influencing Production Scale

For example, a CNC shop making complex aerospace bushings will naturally produce fewer tons than a laser-cutting shop churning out mild steel brackets. It’s also common for a factory to limit scale due to their quality goals—choosing accuracy over volume.

Location also matters. Factories in Dong Nai and Binh Duong ⁶ tend to be larger and more connected to logistics hubs than those in rural provinces.

Can Vietnamese factories meet high-volume custom orders?

I once doubted whether Vietnam could handle scale like China—but after seeing facilities like VPIC1 ⁷ or Austgen Vietnam ⁸, I changed my mind.

Yes, Vietnam has mid-to-large factories capable of fulfilling high-volume custom metal part orders—especially for clients providing long-term forecasts or blanket orders.

Let’s look at real numbers from active Vietnamese suppliers:

Sample Factory Capacities (2025 Data)

Factories often distinguish between rated capacity (max theoretical) and available capacity (usable per current labor and machinery setup). What matters more for importers is:

• How fast can they scale up when your demand increases?
• Can they handle engineering changes without disrupting volume?

You may find a factory that technically does 100,000 parts/month—but only if your drawings never change. That’s where many importers get stuck: needing both scale and flexibility.

Keep in mind, high-volume orders typically require:

• Locked specs and tolerances
• Confirmed lead time cycles
• Deposit or forecast commitment
• Pre-purchase of raw materials (especially castings and extrusion-based parts)

If you meet these, Vietnamese suppliers can deliver surprisingly strong throughput at stable cost.

How do you calculate production lead times in Vietnam?

I once misjudged lead time by three weeks just because I forgot to factor in Tet holidays. Now I build timelines with more care.

Production lead time in Vietnam depends on material availability, processing type, factory size, order complexity, and seasonality. Typical ranges are 3–6 weeks for machining, and 6–10 weeks for castings or tooling-based parts.

Here’s how you break it down:

Lead Time Scenarios (Typical Ranges)

If your order includes custom tooling, expect +3–5 weeks on top. And don’t forget national holidays:

• Tet Holiday (Jan/Feb): 2 weeks factory closures ¹⁰
• Reunification Day + Labor Day (April): 4–5 days
• Mid-Autumn & National Day (Sep): several days off

Factories also often batch orders together to optimize costs, which may delay smaller orders. That’s why communication on delivery cycles and batch windows is critical when importing from Vietnam.

Conclusion

Vietnamese factories offer a flexible mix of capacity and customization, but understanding their limits and strengths is key to planning your custom metal part sourcing strategy.

Footnotes

1. ISO 9001 standard for quality management in manufacturing. ↩︎
2. IATF 16949 certification for automotive suppliers. ↩︎
3. Guide to CNC machining processes and efficiency. ↩︎
4. Overview of robotic welding automation benefits. ↩︎
5. McKinsey insights on global automotive supply chains. ↩︎
6. Industrial zones in Dong Nai and Binh Duong, Vietnam. ↩︎
7. VPIC Group official website, CNC parts supplier. ↩︎
8. Austgen Vietnam company profile. ↩︎
9. PEB Steel Vietnam capacity and projects. ↩︎
10. Vietnam Tourism guide to Tet holiday closures. ↩︎