I often ask potential hires "what is quality?" and it seems even people who've been in the quality assurance industry for 10 years don't have a ready answer. It seems like I am not the only one. Here are the most common responses … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2014
Mobile Applications (on Tablets) for Quality Inspections
Over the past three years, I guess more than a dozen people have told me "tablets are a perfect fit for inspectors". Yet I haven't seen any company that developed a good application that works on iPad or Android, and that is suitable for … [Read more...]
Moving Tooling/Molds from one Chinese Factory to Another
Clients asked us several times to oversee a transfer of tools/molds from one factory to another. So we have written a checklist (see below). Why move tooling from one factory to another? Maybe the buyer selects one factory to make a … [Read more...]
How to Use Statistical Tools to Improve Production Processes
In Limits of Statistical Process Control in China, experienced consultant Brad Pritts described his observations over the years. Below is his advice to use statistical tools to improve production processes. ----- What I do when I work … [Read more...]
Limits of Statistical Process Control in China
I am always interested in tools that prove useful in improving a factory's operations. But I always wondered, how useful is Statistical Process Control (SPC)? The fact is, I have never seen a Chinese factory make good use of SPC tools. I … [Read more...]
Best Practices for Choosing the Right Chinese Factory
Maybe you are looking for a new Chinese factory and you are not sure how to find a good one. You'd like to get inspiration from those companies that have THE BEST supplier screening process. Well, look no further than the car industry. A … [Read more...]
What the Most Sophisticated Chinese Factories Do
Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently. The New Chinese Factory This is NOT an article about the average Chinese manufacturer. It describes what one of the most sophisticated manufacturers does, and it … [Read more...]
An Alibaba Gold Supplier Status Doesn’t Mean Anything
I regularly receive messages from importers who were cheated by a Chinese company and seem very surprised because they were dealing with a company which had 'Alibaba gold supplier status.' … [Read more...]
Tips for Sourcing Toys in China – Q&A with an expert
I had the chance to ask a few questions to Michael Blanc, the Regional Manager at Supply Chain Analysis Centre, Tradegood. Michael offers free sourcing services for buyers and bridge them to most matching suppliers. He focuses in toys and … [Read more...]