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Can QC Inspectors Also Audit Manufacturing Processes?

December 8, 2021

Can QC Inspectors Also Audit Manufacturing Processes?

Let's say you send a QC inspector to one of your supplier's factories. His objective is clear: report on the status of production, on the conformity and safety of the products made for you, and on the number of defects he finds. However, it falls short of its potential in helping you reach your objectives. If there is continuous or near-continuous production of your orders in the factory, there is certainly more you want to know. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Quality Control Tips Tagged With: qc inspectors, quality management

Harsh Realities of Managing a Quality Control Team in China

August 31, 2021

Harsh Realities of Managing a Quality Control Team in China

A few years ago, I suggested 6 tips to avoid bribery in a QC team. And two of them are particularly important when managing a quality control team in China: Rotate inspectors among factories, as professional relationships very quickly become personal, too. And there is a strong, very strong expectation of reciprocity -- "I gave you a nice lunch, you should overlook this tiny imperfection". Have a manager, or a regional supervisor, who does a good job of being a leader -- technically … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Quality Control Tips Tagged With: managing qc inspectors, manufacturing in China, QC, qc inspections, qc inspectors, QC problems, quality control

Undetected QC Issues: 7 Common Failures of Chinese Inspectors

September 23, 2019

7 Major Reasons Why Chinese Quality Inspectors Fail To Spot QC Issues

Quality inspectors are human like the rest of us, and while it's usually unlikely that they will let major QC issues slip through the net, it can happen. Let's examine why and how this happens, and how to mitigate or stop these mistakes... … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Quality Control Tips Tagged With: product quality, QAQC, QC, qc inspectors, QC issues, QC problems

Managing QC Inspectors, Part 8: QC vs. QA

December 1, 2015

This is the eighth part in the series about the management of QC inspectors in China. Different companies give different job descriptions to their inspectors. I don't think there are "best practices" here, but this is an important topic and I want to cover it. The primary role of a QC inspector Inspectors should collect and report information. They should not take decisions, in order to reduce the risks of bribery. Similarly, they should not try to solve the problem with the factory. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Managing QC inspectors Tagged With: managing qc inspectors, QAQC, QC, qc inspections, qc inspectors

Managing QC Inspectors, Part 7: The Quality Manager in China

November 25, 2015

This is the seventh part in the series I am writing about the management of QC inspectors in China. Many companies in China have difficulties finding the right quality manager. In particular, it is difficult to find an individual who will simultaneously: Run the day-to-day operations of the quality department and repeat the same principles to his staff and to suppliers 10 times a day -- and keep doing this for years; Be a change agent and guide his/her team to work in a different way (from … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Managing QC inspectors Tagged With: managing qc inspectors, QAQC, QC, qc inspections, qc inspectors

Managing QC Inspectors, Part 6: Planning the Inspections

November 18, 2015

This is the sixth part in the series about the management of QC inspectors in China. In my last article on this topic, I mentioned the need to have system to manage the planning. Some companies let factories and inspectors set the planning freely among themselves, and I think that's a big mistake. Here is the advice I usually give buying offices. 1. Manage the planning in the office An assistant manager should set the planning. Suppliers should send an application (for example every … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Managing QC inspectors Tagged With: managing qc inspectors, QAQC, QC, qc inspections, qc inspectors

Managing QC Inspectors, Part 5: Avoiding Bribery

November 5, 2015

This is the fifth part in the series about the management of QC inspectors in China. I touched on the evaluation of quality inspectors, and it naturally brings up the topic of bribery. How big of a problem is corruption of inspectors in China? In many developing countries, people in a position of authority, and to a lesser degree those who report information for use by decision makers, are prone to corruption. It happens in Mexico, in China, in Bangladesh, in Egypt, and in many other … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Managing QC inspectors Tagged With: managing qc inspectors, QAQC, QC, qc inspections, qc inspectors

Managing QC Inspectors, Part 4: Evaluating their Performance

October 30, 2015

assessment form for inspector

This is the fourth part in the series about the management of QC inspectors in China. Let's say you have hired the right profile, you have given them the right equipment and the right checklist, and you have provided them with the right mix of training and coaching. You need a method to evaluate their performance in order to know who should receive a bonus and/or a raise... and who should be let go. 1. Defining expectations clearly You can't hire Chinese inspectors if you don't have a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Managing QC inspectors Tagged With: managing qc inspectors, QAQC, QC, qc inspections, qc inspectors

Managing QC Inspectors, Part 3: Training, Coaching, and Auditing

October 19, 2015

This is the third part in the series about the management of QC inspectors in China. Let's focus on the activities of training, coaching, and auditing inspectors. A few years ago I listed 7 ways inspectors can fail to notice quality problems, which included 4 issues that good training, coaching, and auditing should mostly eradicate: Laziness and lack of discipline Lack of training Wrong calibration (e.g. the wrong standard is applied) Corruption My point is, you can't skip on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Managing QC inspectors Tagged With: managing qc inspectors, QAQC, QC, qc inspections, qc inspectors

Managing QC Inspectors, Part 2: Checklist and Equipment

October 15, 2015

This is the second part in the series about the management of QC inspectors in China. I am looking at two very important parts of the preparation. Common shortcomings Here are a few issues that I often see: A "golden sample" is approved, and it is the only standard to be followed. But a golden sample is not sufficient. It does not include critical information such as the severity of potential defects, how certain tests ought to be conducted, etc. The buyer does not specify what packing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Managing QC inspectors Tagged With: managing qc inspectors, QAQC, QC, qc inspections, qc inspectors

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Weekly updates for professional importers on better understanding, controlling, and improving manufacturing & supply chain in China.

This is the official blog of Sofeast.com.

This blog is written by Renaud Anjoran, an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer who has been involved in chinese manufacturing since 2005.

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