C2W Group — Stage 1 Sourcing Proposal for MahjRoll

01 — Background

Background

MahjRoll Products LLC is developing a patent pending consumer accessory for the US mahjong market. The product is a rigid storage tube designed to hold a rolled mahjong mat, addressing the difficulty consumers experience returning the mat to its original carry bag after use.

The product specification is a 1.000" outside diameter tube approximately 34" in length, with a 3/8" longitudinal slot running the full length, finished with a full body printed graphic wrap. The client has confirmed openness to both rigid PVC and anodised aluminium as material candidates.

The company is structured for launch. The LLC is formed, the provisional patent and trademark are filed, and a working sample, profile drawing, STEP CAD, and initial flag artwork have been provided. Targeted volumes are 20 quality samples for sign off, a 1,000 unit first production run, and a 20,000 unit annual forecast. The client has indicated a $2.00 target FOB unit price and a $10,000 total budget covering engagement, samples, and the first production run.

Three commercial realities have surfaced from review of the brief and are flagged in this section before scope and fee are set out. Raising these up front protects the project from a Stage 1 outcome that does not align with budget expectations.

Target unit price

A $2.00 FOB unit price is a volume position rather than a first production run target. At 20,000 plus annual units with the supply chain settled and run sizes large enough to dilute supplier setup and changeover costs, $2.00 is potentially achievable. On a 1,000 unit first production run the unit cost will be materially higher. The accurate first run unit cost is one of the outputs of Stage 1, confirmed against material, finish process, and supplier selection.

Total budget envelope

A $10,000 budget covering the engagement, sample procurement, any custom tooling required, the first production run, and freight to the US is unlikely to fit comfortably across the full lifecycle. The realistic shape of those costs is one of the central outputs of Stage 1. Our recommendation is to use Stage 1 to confirm the actual numbers and right size the first production run to fit the available budget once all costs are confirmed.

Product complexity

Although the product reads simple on paper, three real decisions sit underneath the design. Material choice (rigid PVC versus anodised aluminium) carries different supplier bases, sourcing routes, and unit cost profiles. Finish process (heat shrink printed sleeve, adhesive vinyl wrap, UV direct to tube print, sublimation, or hydrographics) carries different durability, appearance, and unit cost outcomes for a product that will be handled repeatedly in normal consumer use. Extrusion sourcing carries an open question on whether stock or near-stock profiles can be used with the slot produced as a secondary operation, or whether custom tooling is needed at additional cost. Each decision affects the others. Stage 1 is structured to deliver proper answers across all three areas, not just two supplier quotes.

02 — Volume and Timeline Targets

Volume and Timeline Targets

Milestone	Position
Quality samples	20 units, post Stage 1, prior to first production run
First production run	1,000 units indicative, right sized at end of Stage 1
Annual forecast	20,000 units
Stage 1 duration	4 to 6 weeks from project confirmation

03 — Stage 1 Scope and Fee

Stage 1 Scope and Fee

Stage 1 is a single paid sourcing engagement covering material selection, finish process evaluation, extrusion profile sourcing, supplier identification, sample coordination, and a landed cost build for US delivery. The work is structured to deliver a clean decision on what to make, how to make it, and at what cost.

Stage 1 deliverables.

01

Material route assessment

Indicative FOB unit cost and supplier availability for the rigid PVC route and the anodised aluminium route, with trade off analysis on weight, durability, aesthetic, and tooling cost. Recommended route based on the target market, volume profile, and budget envelope.

02

Finish process evaluation

Comparative assessment of full body finish options including heat shrink printed sleeve, adhesive vinyl wrap, UV direct to tube print, sublimation, and hydrographics. Each option assessed on visual quality, handling durability for repeated consumer use, unit cost impact, and supplier availability. Recommended process for the launch.

03

Extrusion profile sourcing

Investigation of whether the required 1.000" OD profile with 3/8" longitudinal slot can be sourced as a stock or near-stock extrusion in PVC or aluminium, with the slot produced as a secondary operation. Where stock extrusion is viable, no custom tooling is required. Where a custom or modified die is necessary, indicative cost will be confirmed, payable directly to the selected supplier as a one off charge.

04

Supplier identification

Two qualified suppliers per recommended route, each vetted on capability fit, English communication, and willingness to engage at the indicated volume level. Indicative FOB pricing at 1,000, 5,000, and 20,000 unit volume breakpoints.

05

Sample coordination

Sample availability confirmation, indicative sample cost, lead time to first samples, and coordination plan for sample shipment to your US address.

06

Landed cost build and production plan

Indicative landed cost per unit (FOB plus freight plus customs) for US delivery, derived from confirmed supplier quotes and freight estimates. Recommended first production run quantity sized against the available budget after all confirmed costs are accounted for. Recommended approach to production execution, including supplier engagement, sample procurement, QC, and freight forwarding to the US.

$2,500 USD

payable in full on project confirmation

04 — Exclusions

Exclusions

The Stage 1 fee covers all sourcing, evaluation, supplier engagement, and reporting work described in Section 3. The following are excluded and would be agreed and charged separately if required:

Sample procurement costs payable to the selected supplier, including the 20 QC samples post Stage 1.

Sample shipping costs from China to the US (pass through at cost).

Custom tooling, if required, payable directly to the selected supplier as a one off charge.

Patent prosecution, design registration, or any IP filing work in any jurisdiction.

Production execution, freight forwarding, and any other post Stage 1 supply chain work (scoped at the end of Stage 1).

05 — Payment Terms

Payment Terms

Stage	Fee	Payment Trigger
Stage 1	$2,500 USD	Payable in full on project confirmation, before Stage 1 work commences

06 — Safeguards and Clarifications

Safeguards and Clarifications

Scope adjustments

If during Stage 1 we identify a material or finish route that materially changes the work content, for example if the aluminium route requires a finishing partner outside our current network, we will flag this to you before incurring additional time and agree any scope adjustment before proceeding.

Sample lead time

Sample lead times from Chinese extruders vary based on whether a suitable extrusion already exists. Where stock extrusion is used, sample lead time depends on slot machining and finish application. Where a custom die is required, first samples typically take longer. Stage 1 will confirm the route and lead time so that production timing can be planned with confidence.

Patent protection

The provisional patent filing provides twelve months from the filing date to convert to a non provisional application. Given the product is shape and feature led, the strongest protection routes are likely design patent and trade dress rather than utility patent. This sits with your US patent counsel. Our scope does not include IP strategy advice. The point is raised here because the conversion clock affects launch timing.

Target unit price

The Stage 1 output will deliver an accurate first run unit cost and indicative unit cost at higher volumes. If those numbers do not work commercially, the Stage 1 fee remains payable and the unit cost data carries forward for your use.

Sourcing outcome

We will use our full supplier network and best efforts to identify qualified sources for both material routes. As with any sourcing engagement, we cannot guarantee that every supplier will quote within target ranges. Where compromises are needed between cost, lead time, and quality, options will be presented for your decision.

07 — Why C2W Group and Shield Works

Why C2W Group and Shield Works

C2W Group is a Western managed manufacturing and supply chain group based in Zhuhai, China, with twenty years of experience taking products from concept and early stage production through to stable supply. The group works with US, UK, European, and Australian brands selling into wholesale, retail, and direct channels.

Two parts of the operation are relevant to a product at this stage. The sourcing team identifies and qualifies suppliers across multiple material routes and process tracks, which is the Stage 1 work. Production beyond Stage 1 runs under C2W's standard supply model: a single inclusive unit cost covering supplier coordination, in process and pre shipment QC, golden sample sign off, and shipment management. You receive one accountable partner from sourcing through delivered units, with no handoff to a third party at the production stage.

The MahjRoll product profile fits the operation well. Single piece consumer accessory, custom extrusion or stock profile, finish process selection, low to moderate first run volume scaling to meaningful annual numbers.

08 — Next Steps

Next Steps

01

Your review of this proposal and any feedback or questions.

02

Confirmation of Stage 1 engagement and payment of the Stage 1 fee.

03

Stage 1 kickoff call to confirm priorities, share any additional artwork or material references, and confirm the sample shipping address.

04

Stage 1 delivery within 4 to 6 weeks of kickoff.

05

Joint review of Stage 1 output, decision on material, finish, supplier, and first run quantity, and confirmation of the production plan.

We look forward to working with you on this project.

Mark Jacobs

CEO, C2W Group / Shield Works

May 2026