I would love the distinction too! IMO, production quantities are sufficient in amount for a final product production line, meaning sales are occurring. But, that's just my interpretation and the words could mean they are giving away production quantities for trial production runs of a new product line.
Only the financials will tell us the actual outcome.
If you want to make a contract with the big guys? You need to be able to send production quantities as for evaluation? If you can not, the door is closedown!