Single head production limits

[Alicante]

I have 1 single-head machine and work alone. From time to time I receive quote requests for logo embroidery in quantities of 1000, 5000, 50,000 units. In general I am expected to find a supplier of the wearable or towel, blanket etc for them.

Mostly, I refuse to quote for such large orders. I don't see physically how to fulfill such a large order in a reasonable amount of time for the client. They want it in a couple weeks say or a month at most.
Business friends with large industrial allover embroidery machines disagree with me on this. They think I should bid to get a big order.

The designs in question usually only require a minute or 2 on machine. So we're talking changing hoops at that rate.

I would like any Amaya users comments and experience on this. Thanks in advance for reading!

[Steve]

Since you are in Spain and I'm in the United States, I can only tell you how it is done here. We have "Contract embroiderers" that specialize in doing this. There is one company here that has 900 heads. Most have a minimum charge (for those designs that are 1000 stitches.) They usually charge by the stitch count and quantity. Obviously, someone getting 5000 pieces is going to be less per piece than 500 pieces. My suggestion is to find a local contract embroiderer or two that has at least 50 heads to handle large orders then mark it so you can quote and make money off those 5000 piece orders. The contract embroiderers usually have 12, 15, 20, and 30 head machines. Although most are going away from 30 heads because its hard for them to make money off of those when a thread breaks or switching garments when the design ends. Too much down-time.