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...]
Benefits of quality control inspections
The question is, are inspections useless? What are the benefits of quality control inspections, if any? As I mentioned in a previous article, more and more importers are switching their focus from standard QC inspections to improving key suppliers. My opinion is, there are benefits, but they depend on the kind of inspection. Here is Shingo's typology: #1. "Judgement inspection" (prevents shipment of defective batches) Quantify, and if possible sort out, defects. Takes place … [Read more...]
How to prepare your QC inspection report template
A few months back, we drew an infographic to show how a random inspection works, but we didn't get into all the specifics. I regularly get questions from readers who ask me how to report the results. There are many ways to prepare a QC inspection report. But here are a few guidelines to prepare a document that suits your needs. A report is usually composed of the following parts: Conformity to specifications You probably want the inspector to look at the following aspects of the … [Read more...]
How much does a Chinese inspector cost?
Some importers wonder how much a Chinese inspector costs to hire full time. The short answer is: More than you might think. It's more than just their salary, so in this post, I'll explore the 5 types of people you might hire as an inspector, their pros and cons, approximate salaries, and then break down how to calculate their full cost to your business as a new hire. … [Read more...]