Streamline Alliance understands that in China, finding a cost-effective source of supply is only the first step. After that, the biggest considerations in China procurement are quality control, dependability and on-time delivery particularly since customers are so far away from the production function. Language barriers, culture barriers, international time zones, expensive and time consuming-travel, and many other salient factors even further complicate quality assurance and order follow-up where China procurement is concerned.

Streamline acts as its clients’ on-site representative and works directly with customers to ensure that the quality and integrity of their products is maintained and their lead times are met. Our strong project management experience combined with our Shanghai location, intimate knowledge of China, and first-hand experience with many Chinese industries’ production capabilities and quality practices ensures an in-depth understanding of how to synthesize our clients’ needs with China’s realities.

Third party QC inspection

Because of Streamline’s extensive experience working with factories on the China Mainland, it is a natural choice as an independent, third party QC inspection provider. Our qualified inspectors, engineers, and auditors contribute a wealth of quality system knowledge, as well as provide a local oversight presence. Perhaps more importantly, as a US company that is both buyer and procurement agent itself, Streamline adds a client-oriented business and cultural point of view that allows for a level of pre-emptive and proactive quality assurance that is difficult to find with other inspection service providers.

Industries in which we have particular experience include:

• Apparel
• Furniture
• Gifts and promotional items
• Housewares and accessories
• Plastic products and packaging
• Equipment and machinery
• Industrial materials, tooling, and parts
  

QC Inspections and audits

Streamline’s inspectors, engineers, and auditors provide many of the following quality control services in support of China procurement:

First article review: First article is the first product or subassembly sample taken from the test-run production or it can be a sample or prototype developed per the customer’s technical specifications.

During production inspection: The production is inspected when at least 25% of the order has been completed so as to ensure that specifications with respect to construction, packaging, packing and marking are met.

Final inspection: Final inspection is performed to an agreed Acceptance Quality Level (AQL) established between the customer and the supplier. Options include 100% inspection, random sample inspection, line inspection (random points in the production line), and out of box inspection (selected packaged or packed items are inspected).

Process inspection: Process inspection is the inspection of the product, components, or subassemblies at different stages of the production line. This is carried out when the product is in current production.

Process Audit: A process audit analyzes the documentation, DFMEA (quantifies risks of potential failures due to design), PMFEA (quantifies risks of potential failures due to process), Control Plan, SPC (Statistical Process Control), Standard Operating Procedures (describes work that flows across functions), and Work Instructions (describes work done at each Work Stations).

Social Responsibility Audit: With respect to a supplier’s social responsibility standards, various factors are audited including, a factory’s labor pool, staff facilities, cleanliness and personal hygiene.

Supplier Survey: A Supplier Survey checks the legitimacy of a supplier you have already identified. Streamline communicates with the supplier and other sources to validate the supplier’s existence, background, referrals, ownership information, production capabilities, and other pertinent information.

Supplier Assessment: Supplier Assessment is a detailed examination of the supplier’s manufacturing and quality assurance capabilities. Streamline analyzes and makes recommendations on suppliers’ Production Management, Documentation, Quality Methods and Systems, Production Control and Process Management, External suppliers connections and Management, continuous quality improvement, Technical and Design support, Inventory and Logistics Management, and etc.

Supplier quality system development and Quality Assurance (QA): Ongoing quality assurance is extremely important in China procurement. Our certified inspectors, engineers, and auditors are proficient both at developing suppliers’ quality systems, as well as providing continual process improvement. They are proficient with quality management tools such as sampling plans and AQL, FMEA, SPC, MSA and Six Sigma management. They are likewise well versed in accepted QA Department operating procedures such as process audits, product source inspections, non-conformance control, corrective action requests, raw material quality assurance, sub-supplier management, and VQA.

Here is what one satisfied customer has to say about Streamline’s services:

”Streamline Alliance has proven itself a trustworthy and invaluable part of our China sourcing function. As our independent inspection and quality control arm in China, Streamline has made it possible for us to maintain awareness and insight into what is occurring with our Chinese contractors without having to undertake frequent travel to China or vertically integrate. We trust their personalized service, flexibility, and attention to detail. Streamline has made China sourcing simple and cost-effective and savings such as these go directly to our bottom line.”

Bob Deaver
General Manager and Quality Control Director
Highland Mills, Inc.
Phone: (704) 375-3333
E-mail: bdeaver@highlandmills.com

Highland Mills, Inc. is a licensee of Fruit of the Loom, and also manufacturers under the brands Sophistication and Velan.

Fees for inspections and audits depend upon inspection complexity, inspection frequency, and the location of the supplier or suppliers. Please contact Streamline today for more information or a quote at market@stream-max.com.