Supply Chain Blog

Have you ever experienced frustration of variable supply chain quality and fact they are in a different continent means you cannot get back in control quick enough for your customers? Do you wonder why supplier audits go well but the Outgoing Quality and Reliability simply is not good enough? If so you need to find out how Reliability Solutions has helped so many blue chip companies drive supplier quality improvement with their ‘Manage by Measurement’ model. Likely by now you are looking forward into 2023 with new directives and objectives to cut supplier prices and improve quality! Some think both cannot be achieved simultaneously, this is NOT the case. If you are truly interested in how to do this you need to get on board with the Reliability Solutions approach which has proven extremely successful for many of their clients. Often companies think they have started a strong push on supply chain quality which on the face of it looks like a major upgrade from before and you feel pretty good? But wait, have you set up the range of complete measurements which would show CLEARLY if the changes made and commits made by suppliers are actually going to bear fruit? The answer is in having an organised process which allows the Supplier QE to introduce a measurement programme step by step without confusing the supplier and ensuring the supplier gets value add at the same time from the measurement process. When looking at alternate suppliers cost will of course be critical, the Reliability Solutions ‘True Value Cost’ model provides a solution for Procurement to combine findings with the Supply Quality teams to always make the RIGHT final decision. The objective is to of define a REPEATABLE approach to be taken by engineers assessing new suppliers and once selected, how to manage them by measurement in a digital environment via online reporting and data sharing. This is where you need the proven 6 step approach defined and used widely by reliability solutions to help clients maximise quality from their suppliers WITHOUT adding cost but realising cost reductions. Find out more about the ‘6 step to success’ approach developed and implemented many times by Reliability Solutions to help clients achieve the ultimate goal of world class supply chain quality at most competitive purchase price. A 6-step approach is designed which forms an efficient approach and can be easily put in place by engineers with a basic level of training in this approach. It also is designed to work as a VIRTUAL tool which in today’s new working climate is even MORE IMPORTANT Method Step 1 - Complete the Reliability Solutions Virtual Quality Questionnaire from which your QE will score response to decide if supplier is even worthy of a visit Step 2 - Supplier provides requested information / data in advance of site visit following Step 1 approval to help define the appropriate reporting metrics for later consideration Step 3a - Review Supplier process in detail and apply the detailed Reliability Solutions supplier audit procedure with scorings applied and grading of supplier on completion, perform the ‘SMART’ Scoring of supplier. Step 3b – Use the Reliability Solutions ‘Total Value Cost’ algorithm to combine ratings score and supplier quoted costs to work out a unique value of product to be sourced Step 4 - If steps 1,2,3 completed successfully, supplier will provide samples for review and testing which will include a range of robustness, durability, function and reliability stress tests (mostly for electronics and electro-mechanical devices / products) Step 5 - Perform Supplier Reliability Maturity Index rating which focuses on engineering related capability and Reliability focus which will highlight risks in longer term reliability and ultimately warranty performance. Step 6 - Supplier now ready to start production. At this point implement the tailored Reliability Solutions designed management reporting (discussed with supplier in step 2), will be implemented at supplier for ongoing reporting direct to customer If you want to find out more about this exciting and successful approach, get in touch with Reliability Solutions (reliabilitysolutions@yahoo.co.uk)

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