Affected items based criteria that will determine the manufacturer associated with an affected item

Did any one come across a way to create a criteria that determines if an affected item has a manufacturer associated with it and what the mfr is? We came across a need where we need to route a change order to an approval group based on the mfr associated with the  affected item and I do not see a way to create a criteria that can do this. Any pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Satish