Quality Assurance and Quality Control in China

Founded in 1984, Pro QC International is a global Quality Assurance company providing factory audits, quality management system audits (ISO 9001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949), social compliance audits, and third-party product inspection services in China.

With ISO 9001-certified offices in Shenzhen and Ningbo, along with our own in-house lab, we provide nationwide coverage in China and offer our clients a unique set of technical expertise and experience. Our quality control inspectors and auditors deliver quality assurance and quality control services across China, operating in all major cities and industrial centers, including Shenzhen, Shanghai, Dongguan, Ningbo, Guangzhou, and Foshan.

As a Quality Control company in China, we help organizations in safeguarding their interests by:

  • Controlling product quality to ensure packaged and shipped products are free of defects.
  • Conducting factory audits to evaluate the reliability and capability of suppliers.
  • Assessing the compliance level of suppliers against international standards.
  • Performing environmental and social audits to ensure suppliers adhere to ethical practices.
  • Improving manufacturing processes and factory quality performance. 
  • Creating corrective action plans to address and resolve quality issues.
  • Implementing quality walls to reduce the defect rate.
  • Providing resources for short or long-term projects.

The Quality Assurance and Quality Services offered by Pro QC in China include:

We look forward to welcoming our client’s team to any of our offices for a comprehensive discussion about China-based inspection services. Ultimately a client may choose to let one of our global account managers organize and oversee their end-to-end quality assurance and quality control plan in China. Pro QC International believes in the importance of ensuring customer satisfaction and always places its clients first.

Pro QC is also a proud member of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham) and the Shenzhen Quality and Inspection Association (SQIA).

As a third-party quality control company in China, Pro QC has extensive experience in product inspections, factory audits, and supplier management services for a wide range of products, including:

Our Services in China

Contact Us

Our Local Offices:

4th Floor, Complex Building, No. 58 Lingcao Rd., Lugang Village, Gaoqiao Town,
Yinzhou District, Ningbo 315175, Zhejiang, China
No. 20 Garden Villa, Meilong Er Cun, Zhenxi Rd., Minhang District, Shanghai
200237, China
Room 801, Financial Building, No. 22 Taizi Rd., Shekou, Nanshan, Shenzhen 518067, Guangdong, China

Get a Quote

Our Quality Control Coverage in China

  • Beijing
  • Changzhou
  • Chongqing
  • Dongguan
  • Foshan
  • Fuzhou
  • Guangzhou
  • Hangzhou
  • Heze
  • Jiangmen
  • Jiaxing
  • Jinhua
  • Linyi City
  • Longyan
  • Nanjing
  • Nantong
  • Ningbo
  • Qingdao
  • Quanzhou
  • Shanghai
  • Shaoxing
  • Shenzhen
  • Suzhou
  • Taizhou
  • Tianjin
  • Weifang
  • Wenzhou
  • Wuhan
  • Wuxi
  • Xiamen
  • Zhangzhou
  • Zhongshan

Our Quality Control Services in China


Product Inspection
Product Inspection

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


Factory Audits
Supplier Selection & Factory Audits

Pro QC International performs various types of factory audits in China.


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 in China

By performing Chinese product inspection services, we can identify problems early to eliminate the underlying causes. Used correctly, source inspections save money by eliminating process problems and ensuring that the end product meets customer requirements and expectations. Pro QC provides quality control inspections across the entire country through teams of engineers located in major cities and manufacturing regions such as Shenzhen, Dongguan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Suzhou, Xiamen, Beijing, and many more.

Our inspection reports are delivered within 24 hours of service completion and include detailed results, objective and impartial evidence, and photographs.

The main types of third-party quality inspections we offer in China include:

Sorting and Rework

Also called piece by piece or 100% inspections, sorting activities offer a critical solution for businesses facing non-conformities in their products, whether detected at the factory or post-delivery. The service includes identifying defective products, sorting, and conducting rework activities based on proven procedures, aiming to enhance quality standards and reduce scrap.

First Article Inspections (FAI)

Pro QC inspects first-article samples prior to volume production. This verifies that product specifications are being met and avoids unnecessary reengineering work later.

In-Process Inspections (IPI/DUPRO)

These on-site quality inspections in China evaluate samples of a client’s products selected during the manufacturing process. This confirms the quality of the client’s product and allows any necessary changes to be addressed early on, reducing rework time and costs.

Pre-Shipment Inspections (PSI)

During a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) in China, our quality engineers verify that finished goods conform to the client’s specifications.

Container Loading Supervision (CLS)

Pro QC ensures that proper methods are employed during product loading, and we verify counts on-site.

Welding Inspections in China

Pro QC provides welding inspections in China to local and international companies. Our China offices deploy qualified and experienced welding inspectors. They examine quality by comparing weld conformity with industry standards and clients’ requirements.

Coating Inspections in China

Our team conducts coating inspection services in China, whether for controlling product quality, or to evaluate the integrity of existing equipment. Pro QC has the technical expertise and experience to assess that the quality of the coating matches with the requirements and is free of corrosion.

Factory Acceptance Tests

Pro QC’s Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) service ensures that industrial equipment meets specified requirements before shipment. It involves simulating operating conditions and testing failure modes to confirm functionality and performance compliance. This process aims to identify any potential problems prior to shipping, thereby avoiding issues post-installation.

Line Pipe Inspection (Piping) in China

Pro QC verifies pipeline integrity in China through a large range of pipeline third-party inspection services such as visual inspections, dimensional inspections, welding inspections, coating inspections, painting inspections, nondestructive testing (NDT), magnetic flux leakage (MFL), ultrasonic testing (UT), hydrostatic testing verification, witness tests, storing and handling inspections, pipe inspections during and after manufacturing, loading inspection, and document review.

As a third-party inspection company in China, Pro QC recommends ANSI Z1.4-2003 sampling tables to determine the number of units that will be randomly selected for evaluation. If a client does not have existing sampling requirements, Pro QC will assist them in determining which plan works best for their specific needs. Samples are checked against a detailed inspection plan for appearance, applicable functionality, packaging integrity, workmanship, etc. If a client currently does not have an inspection plan, Pro QC will assist. Defects noted are classified as major, minor, or critical depending on inspection plans. The acceptable quality level (AQL) is determined by totaling the defects and using the corresponding accept/reject criteria within the sampling plan.

Get a quote

Supplier Selection & Factory Audits in China

Pro QC International performs a wide catalog of indispensable supplier and factory audit services in China. Our trained and qualified Chinese ISO auditors and consultants will give a client clear insight into the supplier’s set-up and operations, whether it is through a social compliance audit, a quality system audit, a manufacturing process audit, or a C-TPAT audit. A small investment upfront in a supplier audit in China can save a client a lot of issues down the road when projects have started and problems surface. Pro QC’s range of supplier and factory audits in China includes:

Supplier Identification Services

Pro QC assists clients in identifying new suppliers in China with comprehensive supplier identification services. Whether it is an initiative to enter a new region, increasing demand due to growth, or a reaction to poor performance, our team works with a client to develop a checklist of specific requirements and then conducts an extensive local search to identify the best matches, requesting quotes, etc.

Supplier Quality Audits

To help a client evaluate a new supplier, we offer Supplier Quality Audits in China that provide a one-day on-site assessment covering the primary quality management system (QMS) components and general capabilities:

  • Management
  • Engineering
  • Quality Control / Quality Assurance
  • Incoming Receiving Inspection
  • Manufacturing
  • Packaging
  • Non-Conforming Materials
  • Corrective Action
  • Inspection & Test Equipment

Quality Management System Audits (ISO 9001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949 & GMP)

Pro QC’s supplier audits evaluate all manufacturing process control systems for existing or new suppliers. Each audit report covers several areas, including evaluations of management, quality control methods, non-conforming materials, corrective action, and inspection and test equipment. Pro QC’s range of QMS audits in China includes:

  • ISO 9001 Audits in China

ISO 9001:2015 is a quality management system standard that supports the development of an organization toward customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, employee engagement, product quality, leadership commitment, and risk prevention. ISO 9001 audits are used to verify the quality management system of suppliers and assess their ability to deliver products matching client requirements. Pro QC provides ISO 9001 audits in China and helps companies reach full compliance with the standard.

  • ISO 13485 Audits in China

Suppliers and distributors of medical devices must fulfill more stringent and exhaustive requirements than in other sectors to demonstrate safety and effectiveness. Pro QC supports the industry with ISO 13485 audit services in China to verify the supplier compliance level and improve factory performance.

  • IATF 16949 Audits in China

Pro QC provides IATF 16949 audit services in China to help clients qualify a new supplier or improve the quality performance of existing suppliers. The IATF 16949 audit is only the first step. Once nonconformances are identified, actions must be taken to support factories in reaching full compliance with the standard.

VDA 6.3 Process Audit

The VDA 6.3 standard is required by many German automotive manufacturers and represents an important requirement to improve product quality and maintain quality through continuous improvement of the manufacturing processes. Pro QC provides VDA 6.3 Potential Analysis and VDA 6.3 process audits in China thanks to a team of experienced VDA 6.3 auditors covering the entire country.

Manufacturing Process Audits

We offer Manufacturing Process Audits that evaluate the quality practices of a product’s production line from incoming material through every stage of the process. This includes material handling, in-process quality control, outgoing QA, and warehousing. The service aims to identify and address the root causes of defects, ensuring optimized production processes and high-quality outcomes.

Social Accountability Audits (SA8000)

SA8000 audits focus on the following areas: health and safety, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours, compensation, management practices, forced labor, freedom of association, and child labor laws.

SMETA Audits

SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) audits are a widely recognized ethical audit format that assesses a business’s responsible practices in labor rights, health and safety, environmental sustainability, and business ethics.

Sustainability/Environment Audits

Pro QC has offered ISO 14001 (environmental) and SA8000 (social responsibility) audits for several years. Now, many retailers require audits that combine elements of both standards along with additional elements covering energy usage, renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions, materials and waste reduction, life cycle management, supplier supply chain activities, and more.

Industry standards in this area are in their early stages and evolving swiftly. Pro QC’s team of Chinese auditors and supplier development professionals are ready to assemble an audit profile for conformance to the standards emerging from our clients and other organizations in both industry and retail.

QHSE Audits

Pro QC’s QHSE Audit Services focus on evaluating and qualifying potential supplier quality, health, safety, and environmental management systems. These factory audits draw from ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and SA8000 standards for a comprehensive evaluation. The goal is to ensure continuous improvement in QHSE system performance, assisting organizations in aligning with best practices and regulatory compliance.

Combination and Custom Audits

Pro QC offers combination and custom audits that include elements from any mix of the standard audits listed above, designed for a client’s specific requirements and budget.

Corrective Action

Pro QC auditors conduct corrective action services utilizing the full range of quality techniques including process audits, root cause analysis, statistical process control (SPC), and failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA).

We provide all three comprehensive service elements required to fully resolve product manufacturing quality issues:

  • Corrective action investigation
  • Corrective action planning
  • Corrective action verification

Others

Our range of manufacturing and supplier audits in China also include:

  • AS9100 Audits – Quality Management System for the Aerospace Industry
  • ISO 14644 Audits – Cleanroom Environments for Medical Devices
  • ISO 11135 Audits – Sterilization of Healthcare Products (Ethylene Oxide)
  • ISO 11137 Audits – Sterilization of Healthcare Products (Radiation)
  • MDSAP – Medical Devices Single Audit Program
  • FDA 21 QSR 820 – Quality System for Medical Devices (U.S. Regulation)

Get a quote

Supplier Management Services in China

At Pro QC, we also work closely with clients and their Chinese suppliers to improve their quality systems, processes, and manufacturing capabilities. Below are examples for reference:

Vendor (Supply Chain) Compliance

We assist to ensure supplier compliance with final audits required by major retailers and/or associations. Example compliance requirements we work with include Walmart, BJ’s, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Dick’s Sporting Goods, etc.

Continuous Improvement

We conduct regular 80/20 evaluations of QC data and develop and execute continuous improvement initiatives.

Certification Preparation

We assist clients to prepare for certification audits. The applicable industry standards include IATF 16949, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, SA8000, etc.

Get a quote

Product Inspections in China

By performing Chinese product inspection services, we can identify problems early to eliminate the underlying causes. Used correctly, source inspections save money by eliminating process problems and ensuring that the end product meets customer requirements and expectations. Pro QC provides quality control inspections across the entire country through teams of engineers located in major cities and manufacturing regions such as Shenzhen, Dongguan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Suzhou, Xiamen, Beijing, and many more.

Our inspection reports are delivered within 24 hours of service completion and include detailed results, objective and impartial evidence, and photographs.

The main types of third-party quality inspections we offer in China include:

Sorting and Rework

Also called piece by piece or 100% inspections, sorting activities offer a critical solution for businesses facing non-conformities in their products, whether detected at the factory or post-delivery. The service includes identifying defective products, sorting, and conducting rework activities based on proven procedures, aiming to enhance quality standards and reduce scrap.

First Article Inspections (FAI)

Pro QC inspects first-article samples prior to volume production. This verifies that product specifications are being met and avoids unnecessary reengineering work later.

In-Process Inspections (IPI/DUPRO)

These on-site quality inspections in China evaluate samples of a client’s products selected during the manufacturing process. This confirms the quality of the client’s product and allows any necessary changes to be addressed early on, reducing rework time and costs.

Pre-Shipment Inspections (PSI)

During a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) in China, our quality engineers verify that finished goods conform to the client’s specifications.

Container Loading Supervision (CLS)

Pro QC ensures that proper methods are employed during product loading, and we verify counts on-site.

Welding Inspections in China

Pro QC provides welding inspections in China to local and international companies. Our China offices deploy qualified and experienced welding inspectors. They examine quality by comparing weld conformity with industry standards and clients’ requirements.

Coating Inspections in China

Our team conducts coating inspection services in China, whether for controlling product quality, or to evaluate the integrity of existing equipment. Pro QC has the technical expertise and experience to assess that the quality of the coating matches with the requirements and is free of corrosion.

Factory Acceptance Tests

Pro QC’s Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) service ensures that industrial equipment meets specified requirements before shipment. It involves simulating operating conditions and testing failure modes to confirm functionality and performance compliance. This process aims to identify any potential problems prior to shipping, thereby avoiding issues post-installation.

Line Pipe Inspection (Piping) in China

Pro QC verifies pipeline integrity in China through a large range of pipeline third-party inspection services such as visual inspections, dimensional inspections, welding inspections, coating inspections, painting inspections, nondestructive testing (NDT), magnetic flux leakage (MFL), ultrasonic testing (UT), hydrostatic testing verification, witness tests, storing and handling inspections, pipe inspections during and after manufacturing, loading inspection, and document review.

As a third-party inspection company in China, Pro QC recommends ANSI Z1.4-2003 sampling tables to determine the number of units that will be randomly selected for evaluation. If a client does not have existing sampling requirements, Pro QC will assist them in determining which plan works best for their specific needs. Samples are checked against a detailed inspection plan for appearance, applicable functionality, packaging integrity, workmanship, etc. If a client currently does not have an inspection plan, Pro QC will assist. Defects noted are classified as major, minor, or critical depending on inspection plans. The acceptable quality level (AQL) is determined by totaling the defects and using the corresponding accept/reject criteria within the sampling plan.

Get a quote

Supplier Selection & Factory Audits in China

Pro QC International performs a wide catalog of indispensable supplier and factory audit services in China. Our trained and qualified Chinese ISO auditors and consultants will give a client clear insight into the supplier’s set-up and operations, whether it is through a social compliance audit, a quality system audit, a manufacturing process audit, or a C-TPAT audit. A small investment upfront in a supplier audit in China can save a client a lot of issues down the road when projects have started and problems surface. Pro QC’s range of supplier and factory audits in China includes:

Supplier Identification Services

Pro QC assists clients in identifying new suppliers in China with comprehensive supplier identification services. Whether it is an initiative to enter a new region, increasing demand due to growth, or a reaction to poor performance, our team works with a client to develop a checklist of specific requirements and then conducts an extensive local search to identify the best matches, requesting quotes, etc.

Supplier Quality Audits

To help a client evaluate a new supplier, we offer Supplier Quality Audits in China that provide a one-day on-site assessment covering the primary quality management system (QMS) components and general capabilities:

Quality Management System Audits (ISO 9001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949 & GMP)

Pro QC’s supplier audits evaluate all manufacturing process control systems for existing or new suppliers. Each audit report covers several areas, including evaluations of management, quality control methods, non-conforming materials, corrective action, and inspection and test equipment. Pro QC’s range of QMS audits in China includes:

ISO 9001:2015 is a quality management system standard that supports the development of an organization toward customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, employee engagement, product quality, leadership commitment, and risk prevention. ISO 9001 audits are used to verify the quality management system of suppliers and assess their ability to deliver products matching client requirements. Pro QC provides ISO 9001 audits in China and helps companies reach full compliance with the standard.

Suppliers and distributors of medical devices must fulfill more stringent and exhaustive requirements than in other sectors to demonstrate safety and effectiveness. Pro QC supports the industry with ISO 13485 audit services in China to verify the supplier compliance level and improve factory performance.

Pro QC provides IATF 16949 audit services in China to help clients qualify a new supplier or improve the quality performance of existing suppliers. The IATF 16949 audit is only the first step. Once nonconformances are identified, actions must be taken to support factories in reaching full compliance with the standard.

VDA 6.3 Process Audit

The VDA 6.3 standard is required by many German automotive manufacturers and represents an important requirement to improve product quality and maintain quality through continuous improvement of the manufacturing processes. Pro QC provides VDA 6.3 Potential Analysis and VDA 6.3 process audits in China thanks to a team of experienced VDA 6.3 auditors covering the entire country.

Manufacturing Process Audits

We offer Manufacturing Process Audits that evaluate the quality practices of a product’s production line from incoming material through every stage of the process. This includes material handling, in-process quality control, outgoing QA, and warehousing. The service aims to identify and address the root causes of defects, ensuring optimized production processes and high-quality outcomes.

Social Accountability Audits (SA8000)

SA8000 audits focus on the following areas: health and safety, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours, compensation, management practices, forced labor, freedom of association, and child labor laws.

SMETA Audits

SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) audits are a widely recognized ethical audit format that assesses a business’s responsible practices in labor rights, health and safety, environmental sustainability, and business ethics.

Sustainability/Environment Audits

Pro QC has offered ISO 14001 (environmental) and SA8000 (social responsibility) audits for several years. Now, many retailers require audits that combine elements of both standards along with additional elements covering energy usage, renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions, materials and waste reduction, life cycle management, supplier supply chain activities, and more.

Industry standards in this area are in their early stages and evolving swiftly. Pro QC’s team of Chinese auditors and supplier development professionals are ready to assemble an audit profile for conformance to the standards emerging from our clients and other organizations in both industry and retail.

QHSE Audits

Pro QC’s QHSE Audit Services focus on evaluating and qualifying potential supplier quality, health, safety, and environmental management systems. These factory audits draw from ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and SA8000 standards for a comprehensive evaluation. The goal is to ensure continuous improvement in QHSE system performance, assisting organizations in aligning with best practices and regulatory compliance.

Combination and Custom Audits

Pro QC offers combination and custom audits that include elements from any mix of the standard audits listed above, designed for a client’s specific requirements and budget.

Corrective Action

Pro QC auditors conduct corrective action services utilizing the full range of quality techniques including process audits, root cause analysis, statistical process control (SPC), and failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA).

We provide all three comprehensive service elements required to fully resolve product manufacturing quality issues:

Others

Our range of manufacturing and supplier audits in China also include:

Get a quote

Supplier Management Services in China

At Pro QC, we also work closely with clients and their Chinese suppliers to improve their quality systems, processes, and manufacturing capabilities. Below are examples for reference:

Vendor (Supply Chain) Compliance

We assist to ensure supplier compliance with final audits required by major retailers and/or associations. Example compliance requirements we work with include Walmart, BJ’s, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Dick’s Sporting Goods, etc.

Continuous Improvement

We conduct regular 80/20 evaluations of QC data and develop and execute continuous improvement initiatives.

Certification Preparation

We assist clients to prepare for certification audits. The applicable industry standards include IATF 16949, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, SA8000, etc.

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.

 
Development & Planning
1. Design
2. Product Development
3. Supplier Selection
4. Supplier Qualification
5. Pre-Production Validation
6. Production Planning
7. Incoming QC
8. Production and Assembly
9. Packaging
10. Shipping
Production & Delivery
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
Supplier’s production capability is unable to meet the design requirement

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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