Quality Assurance & Quality Control Services in the UK

Pro QC International has been providing Quality Assurance and Quality Control services in UK for more than 40 years.

Recognized for our expertise, we support local and international clients inspect their product quality, audit their manufacturing processes and quality systems, improve their factory performance and ensure the reliability of their suppliers.

Our team of engineers and project managers work together with you and your suppliers to help you reach your quality goals. We customize our services according to your needs and we allocate our resources for short- and long-term projects.

Our range of reliable quality assurance and quality control services in UK includes:

In the United Kingdom, Pro QC works with the following industries: tools, lighting, construction materials, furniture, kitchen appliances, textile, bags, fashion accessories, toys, baby products, jewelry, watches, sport equipment…

  • Softlines: textile & garments, leather goods, footwear, glasses, jewelry, fashion accessories, bags, promotional items, watches, cosmetics…
  • Hardlines: medical devices, electronics, computers, tools, wireless products, mechanical parts, kitchen appliances, furniture, solar panels, construction materials…
  • Industrials: industrial components, welding, coating, plastics & rubbers, pumps, molds, electric conductors, die casting, integrated circuits, metallurgy, steel, metal scraps…
  • Automotive Industry: auto-parts, batteries, bearings, brakes, electronical & electrical components, mechanical components…
  • Oil & Gas: NDT, ARAMCO QM series, pipeline, heat exchangers, tanks, valves, ASME pressure vessels and boilers, gas turbines…

Our Coverage in UK

As a third-party quality control company in the United Kingdom, Pro QC covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland thanks to a large network of experienced quality auditors and inspectors located in all major cities such as:

  • London
  • Liverpool
  • Edinburgh
  • Cambridge
  • Brighton
  • Manchester
  • Oxford
  • Southampton
  • Plymouth
  • Bristol
  • Cardiff
  • Belfast
  • Glasgow
  • Leeds
  • And many more

Our Quality Control Services in UK


Product Inspection
Product Inspection

By performing product inspections, we can identify problems early with the goal of eliminating the underlying causes.


Factory Audits
Factory & Supplier Audits

Pro QC International performs various types of factory audits.
 


Supplier Management
Supplier Management

At Pro QC, we also work closely with clients and their suppliers to improve their system, processes and manufacturing capabilities.

Product Inspections Services in UK

An appropriate inspection program reduces your costs while ensuring that the finished product meets your expectations and needs. As an inspection company in UK we offer:

  • First Article Inspections
  • In-Process Inspections
  • Pre-Shipment Inspections
  • Container Loading Supervision
  • Sorting / Rework Services
  • Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)

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Factory Audits & Supplier Audits in UK

From supplier qualification audits to quality system audits, Pro QC International covers all your audit requirements. Our teams of certified auditors provide you with valuable and detailed information on your supplier, allowing you to take important strategic and operational decisions. Our audit reports are available within 24 hours after the service and contain the strengths/weaknesses of the supplier, our recommendation and digital pictures as part of the overall results. Our range of quality audits in UK include:

  • Quality Management System: ISO 9001
  • Audits for the Automotive industry: IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3
  • Audits for Medical Devices: ISO 13485, ISO 11137, GMP (FDA 21 QSR 820), ISO 17025
  • GMP Audit for Cosmetic Products: ISO 22716
  • Environmental Audit: ISO 14001
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) audits: SA 8000, ETI, SMETA, WRAP, ICS, RBA, BSCI…
  • Security Audit: ISO 27001, ISO 28000, C-TPAT, GSV, SCAN…
  • Initial Supplier Evaluation: We assess if your supplier is reliable before you make your first order.
  • Supplier Process Control and quality systems: We audit the manufacturing process control systems of your suppliers.
  • Custom Audits: We develop customized audits designed to your project and requirements.

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Supplier Management

Supplier Management

We work with our customers and their suppliers to resolve quality issues, to prepare for certification (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, etc.), to improve the performance of your suppliers or even to install a quality management system at your factory.

Vendor Compliance

We support our clients compliance with Vendor Compliance programs of big retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, Carrefour, Nike, Costco, Lowe’s, Target, BJ’s, Best buy and many others.

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Product Inspections Services in UK

An appropriate inspection program reduces your costs while ensuring that the finished product meets your expectations and needs. As an inspection company in UK we offer:

Get a quote

Factory Audits & Supplier Audits in UK

From supplier qualification audits to quality system audits, Pro QC International covers all your audit requirements. Our teams of certified auditors provide you with valuable and detailed information on your supplier, allowing you to take important strategic and operational decisions. Our audit reports are available within 24 hours after the service and contain the strengths/weaknesses of the supplier, our recommendation and digital pictures as part of the overall results. Our range of quality audits in UK include:

Get a quote

Supplier Management

Supplier Management

We work with our customers and their suppliers to resolve quality issues, to prepare for certification (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, etc.), to improve the performance of your suppliers or even to install a quality management system at your factory.

Vendor Compliance

We support our clients compliance with Vendor Compliance programs of big retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, Carrefour, Nike, Costco, Lowe’s, Target, BJ’s, Best buy and many others.

Get a quote

Quality Solutions Overview

Click on the current stage of your sourcing or product development journey below to explore our related quality solutions.

 

 
Design
Design Icon
Product Development
Product Development Icon
Supplier Selection
Supplier Selection Icon
Supplier Qualification
Supplier Qualification Icon
Pre-Production Validation
Pre-Production Validation Icon
Production Planning
Production Planning Icon
Incoming QC
Incoming QC Icon
Production and Assembly
Production and Assembly Icon
Packaging
Packaging Icon
Shipping
Shipping Icon
Development & Planning
Production & Delivery

1. Design Stage

The product development life cycle begins with idea generation, concept development, and market testing. For example, the E-Bike handlebar is designed with the form, fit, and function in mind that best serve the market/user’s requirements and the overall aesthetics of the final bike.

Although Pro QC do not actively get involved in this stage, a postmortem investigation with many of our client often reveals the following challenges.

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

Misalignment between the buyer, supplier sales department, and factory production department on critical design requirements
Advance product quality planning was not factored in early enough
Difficulties in transitioning from a prototype supplier to a mass manufacturing supplier

2. Product Development

In this stage, the engineers will refine the design and define the engineering specifications of the handle such as material properties, dimensions, weight, and other requirements while satisfying different product and safety compliances. This is also the stage where engineering prototypes (engineering build) are made to rigorously test the form, fit, and function of the product.

Pro QC’s Quality Solutions:

First Article Inspection (FAI)
Supplier Development Services
Resident Supplier Quality Resourcing

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

Poor communication of the technical details between buyer and factories
Misalignment on the new product’s specifications
Misalignment on design/engineering revisions

3. Identify Potential Suppliers

Once the component specifications are defined, the procurement department will begin to identify a list of suitable suppliers that can potentially meet their requirements in terms of capabilities, cost, capacity, and quality.

Pro QC’s Quality Solutions:

Onsite Supplier Verification
Financial Credit Check

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

Lack of experience and due diligence in new supplier region
Communication challenges
Concern about supplier scams
Low confidence supplier’s trustworthiness
Concerns over supplier’s financial viability

4. Supplier Qualification

Once a list of trustworthy suppliers has been identified, an evaluation of supplier reliability is recommended to ensure they can produce at a consistent level of quality. A world-class organization usually has a comprehensive supplier qualification program to identify and mitigate the risks associated with quality, safety, on-time delivery, cost, and compliance.

Pro QC’s Quality Solutions:

Global Supplier Audit Programs
Supplier Quality Audit for Potential Suppliers
Quality Management System Audit
Social & Ethical Audits
Supply Chain Security Audit
Environmental Audit

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

Suppliers are not as capable as they initially claimed
Supplier lacks effective and systematic quality assurance practice
Supplier is ISO 9001 certified, but the underlying principles are not implemented in practice
Mass production quality does not match prototype quality
Buyers want to sell to big retailers, but their suppliers do not yet comply with the retailer’s supplier code of conduct
Supplier violation on labor law, ethical and environmental compliances
Goods held in customs due to supply chain security malpractice

5. Pre-Production Validation

Before commencing volume production, it is crucial to validate the factory’s equipment, staffing, production methods, capacity, and quality control plan for each product line. This is an important stage to prevent critical failures, costly mistakes, and loss of time due to changes and rework.

Pro QC’s Quality Solutions:

Engineering Build (EB) and Quality Build (QB) Audit
First Article Inspection (FAI)
APQP/PPAP Audit
Manufacturing Process Audit or VDA 6.3 Process Audit

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

Factory not ready for mass production
Shipment delays due to critical failure, poor quality, and resource constraints
An exponential increase in defective products
Product recall
High Cost of Poor Quality
An exponential increase in the cost of change after mass production commences

6. Production Planning

Production planning is an administrative process that involves ensuring that sufficient raw materials, components, staff, and other outsourced processes such as secondary processing are procured to create finished products according to the specified schedule.

Pro QC’s Quality Solutions:

Order Expediting

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

Production delay due to poor material procurement planning
Production delay due to inadequate production staffing
Poor sub-supplier management

7. Incoming Quality Control

Incoming quality control is required when all the procured material and components arrive at the factory. This is the first step in controlling the production process and resulting product quality. Understanding how a factory manages its incoming material and its supply chain is a very good indication of its commitment to quality. (The saying goes: Garbage in, garbage out.)

Pro QC’s Quality Solutions:

Incoming Inspection
In-Process Inspection
Manufacturing Process Audit or VDA 6.3 Process Audit

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

The factory does not manage the quality of its supply chain or is poor at supplier management
Suppliers turn a blind eye to defective components during incoming and still use them for production and assembly
Using sub-standard material or components (e.g., lower-quality fabric than required)
Substituting lower-cost alternatives for product components (e.g., cheaper electronic components in a mobile phone)
“Quality fade” where suppliers make small, gradual substitutions in materials and components over time
Bulk material ordered by the supplier degrades over time due to poor storage conditions

8. Production & Assembly

Upon approval for volume production, raw materials and components are processed, extruded, forged, cast, injected, machined, and assembled. It is important to note that a factory may not have all the production capabilities and may outsource certain processes to other suppliers.

Pro QC’s Quality Solutions:

First Article Inspection (FAI)
In-Process Inspection
Manufacturing Process Improvement
Quality/Root Cause Investigation (8D)
CAPA Verification
Order Expediting & Production Monitoring
End-Of-Line Testing & inspection

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

Operators are not producing according to the production control plan
Supplier is under pressure to ship goods, turning a blind eye to defective components
Lack of quality staff to enforce quality control
Poor control of re-worked material/product
Mistakes made by temporary, untrained staff/operators
Communication breakdown when the supplier is under pressure

9. Packaging

Packaging and labeling of the goods are the last steps before shipping. The smallest aesthetic defect on the packaging or missing components often leads to customer returns, and a misplaced label often leads to compliance issues.

Pro QC’s Quality Solutions:

Manufacturing Process Audit
Poka-Yoke Implementation
Pre-Shipment Inspection
End-Of-Line Testing & inspection

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

Products are poorly packaged
Human mistakes and missing components lead to customer returns
Wrong labeling leads to compliance issues and significant re-work

10. Shipping

Packaged products are being loaded by suppliers at the factory or warehouse into containers and shipped to their final destination.

Pro QC’s Quality Solutions:

Container Loading Supervision
C-TPAT Audit

Supplier Risks & Challenges:

Rough handling of goods during container loading by the factory or outsourced warehouse, leading to damaged product
Poor container loading leads to product damage during transit

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    Stability

    Pro QC has been providing quality assurance, engineering and consulting services since 1984.

    Global Presence

    We offer quality solutions in over 88 countries and we are continuously expanding our network.

    Timely Feedback

    We offer online reporting and detailed reports within 24 hours of job completion.

    Quality Experts

    Our global engineering team has the requisite industry expertise to verify quality and conformance.

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    +44 330 094 5589

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