![How does a random quality inspection work? [infographic]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shutterstock71358019.jpg)
On the last trade show I attended, I noticed that I explained over and over again how we perform random quality inspections. There must be a better way to pass this message. A graphic designer helped me render it visually, and here is … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2010
You can negotiate prices hard without being a tough buyer
I see many importers coming to China and negotiating prices really hard. The experienced ones know that the factory might drop the order later, or worse produce with substandard material and/or methods. As long as they are aware of it, … [Read more...]
How product design can create production quality issues
Today I was in a factory of silicon products (cookware, phone covers...). My client was buying the cover for a TV remote control. Production started earlier this week, and I was called in urgently to find solutions to production quality … [Read more...]
Following production issues in China: what it takes
A reader who is going to follow production issues in China for a US company sent me a message. He asks what it takes to do that kind of job properly. Here are a few elements of response: First, it helps to be an engineer or a designer, … [Read more...]
Automation in Chinese factories: not a solution!
Every time I read an article about rising Chinese labor costs, it seems there are only two solutions: moving to inland provinces or automating production. I do not really buy into these proposals, and I want to focus on the myth of … [Read more...]
Why you should ignore guanxi in China
There has been a bunch of blog posts about guanxi recently -- on Chinese Negotiation, on the China Law Blog, on Silicon Hutong, and others. My audience is mostly interested in sourcing and QC issues in China. What should you do about the … [Read more...]
Quality control vs. process improvement
Quality control is basically the activity of checking results. Independent QC inspectors check if finished products are conform to a set of specifications, and usually do not have the know-how to check the production processes … [Read more...]
Dangers of going to factories in China [photos]
I tend to write too much text on this blog, so here are three recent photos to illustrate the dangers of going to factories in China. First, a bus accident that involved one of my inspectors yesterday: We are not sure what happened. It … [Read more...]