Tag: factory audits

Whether you’re sourcing abroad, or from a manufacturer down the street, similar issues with product quality, shipment delays, cost and safety concerns, etc. still apply.  To mitigate the quality risks and cost involved in sourcing, we recommend five actions that have been proven successful throughout the three decades of experience we have working with clients and suppliers around the world. 1 – Audit Potential & Existing Suppliers  To help ensure that potential or existing suppliers deliver high-quality products, operate efficiently, and support continuous improvement, process surveys and factory audits are performed. From supplier capability and qualification to process control and quality system …

We continue to see an increase in requests for social responsibility audits and are pleased to see the growing commitment in this regard.  Aside from reducing quality risks and cost, ensuring social responsibility improves quality of life and ultimately affects the quality of products being produced as well. Principles of social responsibility per the ISO 26000 guideline include: • Accountability • Transparency • Ethical behaviour • Respect for stakeholder interests • Respect for the rule of law • Respect for international norms of behaviour • Respect for human rights “The SA 8000 standard is based on the UN Declaration of …

The first Monday in September is observed as Labor Day in the United States, which is a national holiday celebrating the contributions of workers.  Similar holidays are observed throughout the world. Today, Samsung announced issues at several factories in China, indicating age disparities and other health and safety concerns.  They are committing to an evaluation of 144 suppliers before the end of the year, using documentation as a way to verify conformance to local regulations.  Apple and many other multinationals are facing similar issues and are working with NGOs, industry organizations and other 3rd parties such as Pro QC to improve supplier conditions …

Performing factory audits to assist in supplier selection or throughout the production cycle is a primary contributor to a reduction in both sourcing risks and cost.  While specific standards often apply, such as the ISO series, factory audits do have several key components in common. 1) Management  Who is the management and what management style is generally supported within the corporate culture?  Through observation and interviews, an audit reveals attitudes and general values that serve as indicators of the overall organization’s realized performance. “One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned over the past couple of decades, from a management perspective, is that …