One of the first things we look at, during factory audits, is the supplier’s manufacturing organizational chart. And it often points to serious operational dysfunctions. Here are the top 7 common mistakes that you don’t want to see your supplier making… … [Read more...]
Want To Prevent Assembly Problems? Use This Checklist.
Pilots follow a checklist before they fly. Same thing for doctors & nurses. But, for some reason, I see very few Chinese factories follow a checklist that can help them avoid assembly problems before they make a new product (for the first time). I jotted down some important points any assembly factory should confirm before production begins in order to avoid assembly problems. (It is not very different from the points we typically check in a 'production readiness audit' for an … [Read more...]
Is Investing In Process Automation In The Factory Worth It? + Implementation Best Practices [Podcast]
![Is Investing In Process Automation In The Factory Worth It? + Implementation Best Practices [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IsInvestingInProcessAutomationInTheFactoryWorthItImplementationBestPracticesPodcast-1140x445.jpeg)
Automation is a major focus of the Chinese government and many manufacturers here, but can it really reduce costs..? Renaud will answer the questions: "Is Investing In Process Automation In The Factory Worth It?" and "What are the best practices to follow to smoothly transition into more automation?" Without a doubt, increasingly automating processes features highly in the future of manufacturing, but there are right and wrong ways to implement automation. Also, while replacing multiple … [Read more...]
How We Set Up A New Factory In China From Idea To Operation [Podcast]
![How We Set Up A New Factory In China From Idea To Operation [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HowWeSetUpANewFactoryInChinaFromIdeaToOperationPodcast-900x445.jpg)
Planning on opening a factory in China in 2021? To get some insight into just what it takes to set up a new factory in China let's explore how WE came to open our own factory, Agilian Technology, there in 2018! Renaud will explain the reasoning behind doing so, the goals, and the 6 phases we followed in order to make the idea of having a contract manufacturing subsidiary a reality. This will give you food for thought and help you start planning the project as it's possible you won't have … [Read more...]
Factory Management: the 4 Main Roles in the Quality Department
China, as a whole, has 35+ years of experience manufacturing products for export customers. They have accumulated a lot of experience. However, foreign buyers are rather consistently shocked at the level of mismanagement that plagues their factories' quality operations. And fixing it is not that hard. In this article, I will lay out what I see as the 4 basic roles that manufacturers need to fill in their quality department. … [Read more...]
Traceability in Manufacturing: Do your Chinese Suppliers Do it Right?
I see buyers who spend a lot of time pushing their suppliers to do QC inspections on incoming components, to keep the production area clean, to give clear instructions to operators, and other basics. But I seldom hear them push for traceability in manufacturing, despite how important it is. I thought I should write about it again. … [Read more...]
Chinese- vs. Japanese-Owned Factories in the US: Main Differences
A journalist contacted me and inquired about the differences between Chinese-owned factories (a new phenomenon) and Japanese-owned factories in the context of new plants set up in the US. Interesting topic. Not unsurprisingly, Chinese investors chase low wages and high state incentives. As a result, several Chinese-owned factories are established in Alabama. Let's take the example of a copper tubing factory that employees about 200 people. Here are a few interesting quotes: “Individualism is … [Read more...]