FREQUENT QUESTIONS

WHO ARE

OUR CUSTOMERS?

Our company specialises in the production of inserts and accessories for leather goods, shoes and clothing.

Our clients are leading global fashion brands and their suppliers, who cover our inserts and reliefs with their own materials whether leather, fabric etc.

For example, we make the form of a bag handle, or a bag strap which will then be used in their manufacturing process.

HOW TO CONTACT OUR COMPANY?

You can contact us by telephone on +39 0332949882,

by fax +39 0332949624,

by email info@mapelcomponents.com

or by completing the enquiry form on the Contact section of this website.

Depending on what you require

you will be contacted by one of our representatives

who will assist you with each of your requirements.

HOW TO REQUEST A CATALOGUE OR EXAMPLES OF OUR COLLECTION AND MATERIALS?

To request a catalogue or particular examples of our collection please contact us.

We will arrange to send you most relevant options from the thousands that we have developed over the years.

Alternatively, we may suggest making a pre-production trial for your validation as a master prior to further industrialisation or bulk production.

For particularly complicated requests or sectors we are also able to arrange meetings at your premises with one of our representatives or to host you at our sampling room in our head office.

WHAT PRODUCTS DO WE STOCK IN OUR WAREHOUSE?

Our company almost exclusively produces to order,

planning production to achieve the delivery

of required quantities

in the least time possible.

This is possible given the availability in our warehouse

of a wide range of raw materials

(separated by type, size, density, colour etc.)

and agile production planning.

Whilst we do not offer a formal stock service, we are able to respond swiftly to requests.

For any urgent requests please contact us and we will try and find a swift solution for your requirement.

WHAT IS THE PRODUCTION

MASTER ?

The production “Master” is the reference approved by the customer in sampling. Our company will use this as the master for specific bulk production, within the normal tolerances of that article.

This master, once seen and approved by the customer, should be returned to our factory before production begins.

It provides a reference point for any disputes in production.

An article "Master" is not required for standard articles produced by the factory such as profiles by the metre.

WHAT PRODUCTION TOLERANCES SHOULD BE EXPECTED?

The expected tolerances on our products may be as little as a few tenths of a millimetre, for all items made by C.N.C. (Computer numerical control).

Nevertheless, it should be noted that some products, depending on the material chosen, may undergo changes due to significant variations in temperature and humidity.

With profiles by the metre, it should also be noted that there are joints every 1.8 metres from the manufacturing process, which involves the connection of strips cut from sheets of the raw material used. This feature is normally compatible with almost all leather goods applications.

Our internal Quality Control System is careful to offer what the Customer needs.

HOW DO I PLACE

AN ORDER?

Orders can be placed in any method; phone call, email, PEC, fax, access to a shared portal, etc.

That said the order should contain all required information for booking the order, such as, for example, contact details, unique product references, dimensions, descriptions of articles, quantities, colours, agreed prices, requested delivery dates, currency, SDI code, etc..

If any of the required information is missing, you will be contacted in advance by one of our representatives.

Mapel will issue a formal confirmation as recognition of an order being received. This will include all the General Conditions of Supply.

To be sure that all details are correct, the Customer is required to check and return the confirmation stamped and signed, for approval.

We will be able to launch the production when we have the approval of the confirmation and the signed master in hand.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO CANCEL AN ORDER

OR TO MAKE A RETURN?

To try and cancel an order it is necessary to contact our company so that we can check on the status of the production.

If the order has yet to be launched and if there are no set up costs already incurred it may be possible that we accept the cancellation in which case this will be formally confirmed.

It is a different case with returns, products that are especially produced to order for a customer, cannot normally be returned.

WHAT ARE THE GUARANTEES

OF OUR PRODUCTS?

The guarantees provided on our articles are those provided by law by the regulations in force in the territory of competence, in conditions of normal application of the same.

Mapel will not accept any claim arising for misuse of, or damage made to products.

Any slight defects (aesthetic, dimensional, physical/chemical, etc.), if present, do not normally affect the functionality of the delivered product nor its value.

WHAT COUNTRIES

DO YOU SHIP TO?

The products that we produce are shipped to almost all countries. We collaborate with the majority of transporters who collect from our warehouse on a daily basis.

WHAT ARE THE STANDARD

LEAD TIMES?

Standard shipping times are normally within 10-15 working days. More specific information is provided in a formal order confirmation which is sent to the customer.

Included in the body of this confirmation is the expected ready date confirmed by the warehouse.

This is not the delivery date but the expected date when the goods will come ready.

The confirmation date may be delayed should there be a delay in the Customer returning the order confirmation signed for acceptance, or should there be a wait for approval from the customer.

WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM ORDER QUANTITIES?

For standard profiles by the metre:

Up to 10mm width – MOQ 100 metres
Larger than 10mm – moq 500 metres

Profiles / Handles / Buckles / Panels:

Minimum quantity 100 pieces.

For smaller quantities a surcharge may be applied depending on the article to assist with machine set up costs etc.

Webbings and straps:

For webbings and straps there are often no MOQ if available from stock in standard weaves and colours.

A set up cost and MOQ’s apply to bespoke productions.

WHAT ARE ADDITIONAL PRODUCT COSTS?

The standard production costs are calculated to offer the best trade off of price vs. quality, alongside the minimum order quantities required to cover fixed costs whilst providing flexibility in terms of available options.

When the needs of a customer request go beyond these limits it is possible that we may request an additional surcharge which will always be explained in advance.

For example:

Contribution to ”machine set up costs”: this is the cost of setting up and preparing a machine. This is a fixed cost to cover the setting up of machinery that, depending on the article, may take anything from a few hours to as long as a whole day. This set up cost is normally absorbed into a minimum order quantity.

Contribution to "plant costs": applied for the making of a specific tool or equipment necessary for the production of a "customised" product requested by a client, which cannot be used for the production of other items. Should the part be worn in production this cost may need to be re applied for future production and the customer would always be notified in advance.

Costs relating to testing or declarations of conformity: these are costs for additional requirements not required by standard Community Laws or those specifically requested by the customer (for example arranging testing at external laboratories, or preparing information that requires the use of special internal staff or consultants outside the company). Costs will not be charged for the provision of documentation required by Law, such as Safety Data Sheets of materials used or Reach Certificates of Conformity, provided that the requirements of the customer are stated in advance, at the point of ordering.