In March 2021, this site published a photographic account of handmade clay preparation, moulding, outdoor drying, kiln firing and product packing at an unidentified workshop in Bangladesh.
The page is preserved as a dated cooperation archive. It does not establish that the facility is owned by LOPO, remains a current partner, follows the same process today, or is approved for any present order.
What the 2021 archive records
| Archive date | Published 19 March 2021 and modified 20 March 2021. These are article dates, not the cooperation start date, audit date or production date for a specific order. |
|---|---|
| Facility identity | An unnamed Bangladesh workshop described by the publisher as a “cooperative factory.” No legal/trading name, registration number, precise address, ownership structure or named representative appears in Post 9275. |
| Regional context | A companion March 2021 brochure page referred generally to the Khulna region. Another suggested FOB Mongla Sea Port. Neither statement is a verified factory address or current logistics instruction. |
| Photographed activity | Manual clay handling and moulding, pieces laid outside, unfired units stacked, kiln structures, fired products, assorted finished shapes and stacked/packed goods |
| Legacy process claims | The old copy states clay was dug 2–4 feet below paddy land, pieces were dried for 3–4 days, planted trees supplied firing fuel, and firing ran at 900–1100°C for 90–95 hours. No dated batch record, instrument log, permit, laboratory evidence or chain-of-custody document accompanies those values. |
| Products | Photographs show several rectangular, square and hexagonal clay pieces. They do not identify current model numbers, dimensions, intended uses, standards, tolerances or order quantities. |
| Relationship and roles | No checked source defines whether “cooperative” meant supplier, subcontractor, sales partner, technical assistance, private-label manufacture or another arrangement. No ownership, exclusivity, quality-control or ongoing supply claim is made here. |
| Current status | Unverified. A new order requires current documentary and on-site/remote due diligence; this photographic archive is not supplier approval. |
Clay handling and hand forming
The first two photographs show hands-on material preparation and moulding in an outdoor work area. The 2021 text described locally obtained clay, water addition and individual wooden moulds. The images support the general visual sequence but do not establish extraction depth, clay provenance, mix recipe, occupational controls or a current production method.
Outdoor drying shown in the archive
The next four originals show many pieces arranged flat or on edge outdoors. The legacy text called this a 3–4 day sun-and-wind drying stage. Duration and readiness cannot be confirmed from a photograph; current production should define moisture targets, weather controls, handling, inspection and traceability rather than rely on elapsed time alone.
Stacking and kiln views
The archive then moves from stacked unfired pieces to three views of masonry kiln structures and three views of fired units inside a kiln. The old 900–1100°C and 90–95 hour statement is retained only as a 2021 claim. The photographs cannot verify measured temperature, soak profile, fuel source, emissions, energy use, kiln uniformity, firing yield or product performance.
Pieces shown before firing
Kiln structures photographed in 2021
Pieces shown after firing
Finished shapes and packing images
The final six originals show assorted fired pieces, exterior stacks and a composite image that includes packed pallets. They document what was photographed around February/March 2021, not a current catalogue, stock list, order, export license or shipment. No model, dimensions, intended use or quantity should be assigned from appearance.
Archive group labeled “finished products”
Archive group labeled “products ready for export”
Current supplier due diligence
A dated workshop story can help frame questions, but it cannot substitute for supplier qualification or project evidence. Verification should match the intended product, market and order—not a visually similar archive piece.
Identity and relationship
Obtain the legal/trading name, registration, tax/export licenses, beneficial ownership, precise factory address and named contacts. Verify the current LOPO relationship, contract parties, scope, effective dates, exclusivity status, subcontracting and responsibility for approvals, defects and warranties.
Site and people
Confirm land/site permission, working hours, age verification, pay and employment status, health and safety, personal protective equipment, training, incident records, grievance route and applicable labour-law compliance through current records and an appropriate audit.
Process and environment
Map raw-material provenance, water and additives, forming/drying controls, kiln type/fuel, calibrated temperature records, energy and emissions, permits, waste, dust and wastewater. Do not treat the old “planted trees” statement as a sustainability claim without current chain-of-custody and impact evidence.
Product and order control
Approve a named model, drawings, dimensions/tolerances, intended use, colour/texture range, sampling plan and configuration-relevant tests. Confirm capacity, lead time, packaging, Incoterms, inspection hold points, batch traceability, nonconformance handling, replacement stock and shipping documents.
- legal supplier/factory identity, relationship authorization and exact manufacturing location;
- current product schedule, samples, dimensioned drawings, intended-use statement and applicable standards;
- quality plan, process controls, inspection/test reports, batch traceability and approved reference range;
- current social, safety and environmental due-diligence evidence appropriate to the risk and jurisdiction;
- price scope, quantities, capacity basis, programme, packaging, Incoterms, port/route and document responsibilities; and
- pre-shipment inspection, nonconformance/remedy terms, warranty parties and replacement arrangements.
Use the current Handmade Clay Tile and Terracotta Tile pages for present product enquiries. This 2021 page remains historical context only.
Verify a current handmade terracotta supply route
Share the application, destination market, product drawings, quantities, programme, standards, test and audit requirements, packaging and commercial terms. Request written confirmation of the legal manufacturer, manufacturing site, current relationship and order-specific responsibilities before approval.