OPTIMAS has a network of more than 30 first-class suppliers. If the required supplier does not exist in our network we will locate and validate an appropriate supplier within our geographic region to maintain an ongoing audit presence and accountability.
Potential component suppliers are selected only after passing a strict quality assurance and quality control audit.
The selection of a qualified factory involves a comprehensive understanding of doing business in China. Factories are selected based on numerous parameters some of which are not immediately apparent.
- Is the factory properly financed?
- Does it maintain inventory and / or raw materials? Or do fluctuations in raw material costs impact it immediately?
- Does it have equipment to properly manage incoming inspection of raw materials?
- What QA/QC procedures are in place?
- Management structure, who answers to who?
- Equipment capability, inspection and calibration.
- How many of their customers have they had a long term relationship with?
- What percentage of their business is export and for how many years?
- Openness to audit.
- Location and ease of access to conduct inspections.
If the components supplier meets our criteria as a potential preferred supplier, he will undergo extensive training in our systems and methods and be required to implement our procedures. OPTIMAS will evaluate to what extent he will need assistance. After improvements have been implemented the supplier is then re-audited to ensure compliance, at which time if approval is given, first article are undertaken.
For more information on this service: see SDT.
