Amazon establishes a linking platform for sellers to engage with Indian manufacturers

In an effort to extend its supply chain control and address trade tensions, seller signup declines, and the impact of increased tariffs, Amazon has introduced a new portal called Manufacturing Central. Launched in August 2025, this platform serves as a bridge connecting sellers with Indian manufacturers, initially focusing on seven categories: apparel, furniture, home decor, home linen, kitchen products, luggage, and office supplies.

The primary target demographic for Manufacturing Central is new sellers, particularly those lacking established manufacturing relationships or supply chain expertise. The program follows Amazon's earlier requirement for sellers to upload sourcing cost data for reimbursement calculations.

The four-step process involved in using Manufacturing Central is straightforward: sellers create accounts, discover manufacturers, raise request quotations, and finalize manufacturer relationships. Amazon's role in this process is limited to facilitating initial connections and providing status tracking infrastructure, while sellers manage manufacturer relationships and transactions independently.

Quality control measures include manufacturer verification processes, but Amazon clarifies it is not responsible for verifying the accuracy of details provided by manufacturers. The program currently charges no fees for access or usage.

Sellers manage transactions with suppliers outside the platform, and Manufacturing Central provides order status tracking capabilities. Marketplace vendors, who constitute the majority of Amazon's sales volume, are the primary users of Manufacturing Central. Their adoption patterns will determine the platform's success.

It's worth noting that Manufacturing Central operates exclusively with Indian manufacturers, with no plans for geographic expansion to other major manufacturing hubs like Vietnam or Mexico. This focus on Indian manufacturers may be due to strategic partnerships or regulatory considerations rather than technical limitations.

One of the key benefits of Manufacturing Central is the ability to enable custom product design through manufacturer partnerships. The platform specifically targets Indian suppliers, providing a directory of Amazon-approved Indian factories to help marketplace sellers connect with vetted producers for streamlined sourcing and production.

Manufacturing Central integrates with Amazon's broader supply chain initiatives, extending the company's control to the production stage. However, transactions are still managed by sellers outside the platform. This new portal is part of Amazon's strategy to address the challenges posed by trade tensions and to provide alternatives to Chinese manufacturing.

Despite its recent launch, the success of Manufacturing Central remains to be seen, with marketplace vendors' adoption patterns playing a crucial role in its future. As more sellers leverage this platform, it could potentially revolutionise the way products are sourced and manufactured on Amazon.