Supplier
controls
The majority of supplier
controls are realized through certification to quality standards, quality
results, and above all, communication. There are a few standards available,
many through ISO (International Standardization Organization*), such as the
manufacturing standard ISO 9001. Many manufacturers, when purchasing from a
supplier require that supplier to be certified, or at least adhere to such a
standard. There are many more standards available, depending on the product or
process provided.
ISO
and other standards usually contain a clause that allows a customer to
reasonably enter the business of the supplier to perform audits. The audits are
performed to guarantee that the supplier
is maintaining their certification and performs their functions to the
satisfaction of the customer.
Quality
standards are typically stated on
contracts, purchase orders and plans /prints provided to the supplier at the
time of placing an order or agreeing to a contract. When the customer takes
delivery of parts or processes, certificates of compliance, inspection records,
and inspections performed by the customer or a third party may be implemented to
verify that the quality meets the standards requested by the customer.
Communication
is likely the root cause of most problems. This means that no matter what caused
a problem, if one were to continue probing an issue, that the failure could ultimately
be linked to a break in communications. For this reason, also, if a supplier is
repeatedly making the same part and a change is made to the part; communicate that
to the supplier when placing the next order. Businesses are made up of people. People
are creatures of habit. You, as a customer will be more appreciated if you provide
some simple communications that can save time and money. These will also ensure
that your end product is getting the right parts or processes needed.
*Although
it is regularly referred to as International Standardization Organization, ISO
is actually derived from the greek word "isos" meaning equal. When organizations
use ISO standards, it is ideally to equalize the quality of all those involved (Get:ISO,
2017).
Reference
Get:ISO
(2017). Available at: http://www.getiso.co.uk/standsfor.html.
Accessed 06/06/17.
