Tips for Maintaining Quality When Outsourcing

Filed in archive Outsourcing Advisors on September 24, 2007

China is known as the "manufacturing hub" because many companies are outsourcing most of the manufacturing tasks there. One problem which companies encounter in their insistence of having low cost in manufacturing is the "quality factor".

Over the years, the quality in China manufacturing is suffering because of many factors. In fact, other controversial issues rose from the lack of standard of manufactured products in China.

Here are some helpful tips based on this article entitled Quality takes over from cheapness in China to ensure that the quality is implemented:

-Make sure you have detailed drawings and meticulous specifications of the products you want manufactured.
-Don't try to buy products or outsource manufacturing unless you work through an impartial outsourcing company or you plan to visit your outsource supplier on regular monthly schedules.
-Explain at the outset your quality goals and provide acceptable quality levels for every component.
-Don't leave any detail to the discretion of your supplier.
Specify everything.
-Have a clear quality plan including independent Quality control inspections during production and prior to shipping.
-Build up a good working relationship with your supplier or outsourcing company.