Jan, 13
2016
Blog

Aspects to Remember While Conducting Inspections During Production

During production inspection is considered to be the most important process while conducting a thorough quality control check. Inspecting finished products is crucial but it is also too late for implementing serious alterations if any faults are identified. Also, the cost and effort involved in making the product become a waste. If the whole order gets canceled due to defects, then the factory needs to bear the loss. Moreover, these issues are irreparable once they cross the delivery deadline. Such a situation indicates a waste of time and money, the reputation damage is also pretty high. Hence, the need to have inspection during production to spot such problem areas and rectify them.

The basic objectives of having during production inspection are to:

1. Identify the defects in a product during the manufacturing phase and re-work on them without any delay.

2. Recognize the issues spotted and rectify them in the next set of production.

After inspection of the problem areas, it is important to frame a correction plan so that the issues can be documented to avoid similar mistakes in the future. The best time to conduct an inspection during production depends mainly on the product type. But the basic requirements to figure out the ideal time are:

1. The years of experience the factory has in producing such products.

2. The time frame to deliver finished products (this should not exceed 10 days).

Now that you have a fair idea about the ideal time to conduct an inspection, let us tell you the tricky areas that you might face. It is important to avoid such problems and yet get accurate results.

1. Checking Way Too Early – The first set of products that you receive may not necessarily be the basis for judging the average quality of products that come in later. It is, therefore, advisable for the factory to conduct their internal quality check thoroughly after the first few processes have been completed. They need to first assess their problem areas and conclude whether the products are good to be shipped or not. After the first few processes, there comes continuity and that is the perfect time to inspect.

2. Checking Late – Finished products obviously need to be inspected before getting shipped. But in this phase, it is mainly the loading inspection that needs to be done. Checking quality of the products during this stage makes no sense because it is already too late. Altering the products after finding faults is not possible any more. So make sure you avoid checking products after it is complete. Quality issues found in finished products indicate that this problem is present in the entire order now.

Having inspection during production is definitely important in maintaining good business reputation. But inspection professionals need to have a well defined plan of action when inspecting in the middle of the production. This framework will help them inspect better and the results will be accurate.

Jan, 13
2016
Blog

Container Loading Inspection Checks that Need to be Followed

Container loading supervision is the final phase in any quality inspection process. In this process, professional inspectors need to make sure that all products and containers are loaded carefully following the protocols before shipping them off. In a common scenario, goods and products are produced, packed in cartons and released for delivery or shipping. In the final stage, nobody wants last minute damages that might lead to order cancelation. The solution for this would be a well drafted container loading inspection where professionals have their work goals and objectives clearly framed.

The Objectives of Container Loading Supervision

The objectives behind loading goods and products are to check that the right quantities are loaded and that all the containers for the products are kept in good condition. There are several processes involved in the loading of containers. It is important for quality inspectors to be aware of these processes to make the inspection process easy. An important point to note is that, the products and the businesses they belong to vary, and so does the container loading inspection protocol. This is why you need to be aware of the inspection drill involved for the particular business or product.

• Container Loading – Container loading requires a certain amount of expertise. This method needs to be well taught to the professionals. In fact, quality inspectors also check how well trained container loading professionals are. This helps them spot the problem areas easily even if that means training employees in a better way. The inspection team is held responsible to supervize the container loading process to make sure there is no product damage.

• Clarity on Loading Information – Loading information mainly deals with looking at the quantity check. Make sure you check the loading list that is provided by the factory thoroughly. A number of products placed in one carton need to be checked individually to ensure a high level of accuracy. Conducting a comprehensive check during the loading process is important. It gives a certainty that all products are loaded in the correct order.

• Specifications on Packaging and Labeling Products – Products need to be well packaged and this also falls under the product loading process. The quality control team needs to check that all packages are labeled properly. This makes spotting the right container or carton easy once they reach the suppliers or the customers. Product labeling has its own drill and inspection while loading implies that the labels need to match with the products. This is the responsibility of quality inspectors. Product packaging also deserves attention while loading them for shipping. In case products are not packaged well, they run the risk of getting damaged while being shipped. While shipping, all products might get cramped leading to cracks or damages. The best way to prevent that from happening is by packing them well.

To ensure that only the best products reach the suppliers and the clients, you need to maintain all the phases of inspection well.

Jan, 13
2016
Blog

Purpose of Social Compliance Audit

All enterprises need to remember their social responsibilities and contribute immensely in that area as well. Entrepreneurs usually focus on their sales with the aim to increase client base. This does not mean that they would neglect their social commitments. Interestingly, businesses looking for long term profitability tend to be a lot more socially responsible. They understand that social responsibilities help companies develop fair practice programs. Such programs are important for the company to grow. Interestingly, social commitments make companies comfortable with social compliance audits.

A social compliance audit can be defined as a process of documentation where a company is made accountable for the social practices they undertake. This audit serves an important purpose in highlighting the business in a good way. As per United Nations, the main purpose of a company to conduct such an audit is to identify business driven programers for companies. This is done mainly to harmonize current efforts so that the work flow remains consistently good. Continuous attempts are made to improve working conditions in global supply chains.

People Accountable for Social Compliance Audits

People responsible for social compliance audits are basically brand manufacturers and retailers. A social compliance audit is a process that allows them to exercise control over the supply chain. It also makes companies socially responsible with high regard for good quality work.

Goals for a Social Compliance Audit

The main objective or goal for social responsibility audit is to manage the practices and programs of a company. Audits are also needed to document processes a company carries out with respect to the society, the environment and the company’s contribution towards their own employees and shareholders. Social compliance audits work on the basis of well defined goals that help auditors work better and effectively. These goals include paying attention to the labor laws, inspecting the safety conditions of employees and the workplace conditions.

Role or Contribution of an Auditor

Auditors have the authority to propose recommendations during a social compliance audit. But auditors do not have the authority to judge the present company that is being audited. Auditors need to remember that they shall always remain impartial and independent when audits are taking place. Their goal must always remain towards gathering evidence and reporting the findings they have collected.

When practicing social compliance audits, it is important to remember the above factors. In fact, auditors need to have clarity about their roles and contribute as much as they can during the audits.

Jan, 13
2016
Blog

Tips to Ensure Effective Pre-Shipment Inspection

Quality inspection is the backbone of sales of goods and products in the market. Business reputation is completely dependent on the effective quality control plan of the inspection team. Maintaining an in-house inspection team increases the business expenses which can be cut down with an alternative approach. This would be outsourcing the inspection team to make the entire process of inspection cost-effective. Entrepreneurs no longer need to maintain an in house staff when they can outsource one such effective team at a lesser value.

Even when you are outsourcing an inspection team, it is important that you do a background check on their kind of work. This is important because their effective inspection policy will ensure that only the best products reach the market.

Understanding the depth and importance of inspection, it is interesting to note that pre-shipment inspection in China is considered to be the last and the most critical stage. In this stage, all aspects of quality control are tested and judged finally. There are a lot of factors involved in making this last lap of inspection effective.

• Reviewing the Quality Plan – Poor workmanship is a problem that cannot be solved in the last phase of pre-shipment inspection. This problem is best to be spotted when inspection takes place during production. This inspection has scope to identify problems and solve them immediately. All this is carefully noted in the quality plan. Therefore, reviewing this plan is important during a pre-shipment.

• Providing Context on the Use of this Product – In case products are used for certain specific aspects, where the use is not clearly mentioned or understood, it is necessary to provide a context for both your supplier and the inspection company. Having a well framed context helps the inspection teams to understand usability of the product and inspect accordingly.

• No Pressure on the Suppliers –There have been instances where the suppliers have received order cancelations from the purchasers at the last minute where the product has got rejected. Such situations affect the business reputation as well. Thus, in the final stage of inspection, the company needs to be aware if there have been any excessive pressure on the suppliers to rush in with the orders.

• Advance Notice from Clients – An inspection team has the right to ask sufficient questions to clients in order to get clarity about the products. It is best to advance book the inspection team by seven days. This will allow the team to know more about the product. Make sure you don’t rush when hiring an inspection team.

• Advance Notice from Suppliers – There have been instances when the suppliers provided limited time frame to the purchasers to send an inspection team. It becomes difficult for purchasers to outsource an inspection team within such a short notice and send them for inspection. The best way to fix this problem would be to charge a penalty amount from the suppliers. This will automatically prevent them from practicing this policy.

These are some of the effective pre-shipment inspection practices that promise to give best results. The inspection team has the right knowledge base to handle your products and inspect them well.

Jan, 13
2016
Blog

Basic Concepts of Quality Control

Quality inspection can be understood as a process that checks whether products received from the manufacturing team or company meet, the already mentioned specifications. When running a business, it is important to check the functionality and quality of products before shipping them. Businesses feel the need to inspect products because poor quality products directly affect their business reputation. Most companies, however, prefer to outsource because it is cost-effective than maintaining an in house staff.

Quality inspection is a comprehensive process consisting of several protocols and drills. It is always better to know the concepts that revolve around inspection and quality control services.

• Inspection Levels –Shipments consist of several products that are packed together to reach purchasers. It is always advised to have random inspections and for that, you need to randomly select the products. This random sample needs to be inspected following all the steps and protocols as is common in an inspection process. Random sample selection is effective because all products have a fair chance of getting selected for inspection. Special inspections are conducted depending upon the product type and the intensity of the product testing situation which can take up more time as compared to a routine inspection.

• Acceptance Quality Limit – The next phase in quality control and inspection is the Acceptance Quality Limit (AQL). This level states that there are no concepts of zero defects in the products. There are certain proportions of defects that are tolerated in the consumer market. This completely depends on the products or services you are selling or dealing with. Fault areas in inspection processes lead to tampering results and corruption. So be clear about the defect limit that is acceptable in your business. Suppliers need to have a clear idea about their defects acceptability percentage to get best products in the business.

• Inspection Phase – Professional quality inspectors need to know about the various phases of inspection. An understanding of all these phases will prove to be helpful for both the professionals and manufacturers as well.

o Pre-Production Inspection – This is the first stage in inspection when you need to check raw materials and components used in making the products. Buying cheap materials seem to be profitable for the manufacturing company. But you need to take control and prevent that from happening.

o During Production Inspection – Production processes involve several methods that go into making the products. It is important for professional inspection teams to scrutinize and check all the stages of production to be sure of the quality and functionality of the products.

o Pre-Shipment Inspection – Inspecting products and goods after they are ready and packed is part of quality assurance. Inspectors need to check the details minutely and confirm that the packed products have met the standard protocol.

o Loading Supervision – Loading products for shipping has its own set of rules and guidelines. The inspection team needs to supervize the entire loading process to check that these guidelines are followed.

An understanding and clarity about these concepts are sure to help manufacturing teams and enterprises to know about the inspection stages involved from manufacturing the products to shipping them.

Jan, 13
2016
Blog

The Steps Involved in Effective Quality Control Management

Quality management systems are designed keeping in mind the preference of the clients. The processes involved in quality control, the protocols that need to be followed and the resources required need to be in order. Activities should be designed to achieve the end goal and the work related activities need to be designed accordingly.

Interestingly, the techniques required help in ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction. Having regularized processes help in maintaining consistency in product delivery and quality. Quality control in China plays a key role in keeping up the reputation of the business. But the layers of protocol need to be followed regularly.

• Identify Organizational Goals – Quality control begins with defining company goals. These help quality inspectors understand the business and its demands better. In fact, the employees need to be aware of the organizational goals of the company as well. This will help them excel in their professional domain which in turn will help the business to grow. As per the demands of the situation, employees also require proper orientation to be aware of the goals of the company.

• Spot Critical Factors Responsible for Success – Several factors are responsible for making quality control services of a company successful. These factors include a well designed production process, good technical support, great product features, financial security and employee satisfaction. In order to make the quality control a success, remember to note down the list of factors responsible. Maintaining a list makes things easy and helps in keeping the quality control process organized.

• Identify External and Internal Factors – Quality control is all about what customers and clients want. So make sure you identify the factors responsible for satisfying customers. It is basically the fine balance between external and internal factors collectively that is used in making quality control an effective process. Understanding requirements of customers is the best way to customize the quality control work. Customers are mostly vendors, volunteers, direct customers and even suppliers. This implies that their requirements need to be monitored carefully so that the business makes the maximum profit.

• Review Customer Feedback – Customer feedback is essential if you are a part of the quality management team. Customer satisfaction is completely dependent on your quality which needs to maintain standards. Reviewing customer feedback will help you to identify your problem areas better. The best way to get customer feedback is by conducting surveys and recording their feedback at regular intervals. The most effective method of monitoring customer satisfaction is by reviewing customer complaints.

• Focus on Continuous Improvements – Quality control is synonymous with continuous improvement that needs to be measured and analyzed after every process to help you understand where you stand. The best way to judge improvements is by assessing your own work quality after every assignment. Attempting to work better or show improvement can only come from the determination to excel. Improvements could be in areas of hiring new leadership management, changing production processes and offering better customer service also.

Implementing the above mentioned steps will ensure effective quality control programs. These steps are the best way to get accurate product functionality results. Quality control teams need to keep in mind the protocols mentioned in this post.