Most leaders would agree that quality is mission-critical to manufacturing. Yet even with the best processes, controls, and proactive measures, supply chain issues can arise. The real question is how your supplier/partner handles those issues for corrective actions and continuous improvement.
Simplex System Controls invests in quality as a top priority and as part of our customer promise. As we integrate parts and components from our suppliers and partners, we continue to test each element and then, at the system level, make sure everything works together.
Recently we received a part from one of our suppliers. The part seemed to work during initial testing. But when we put it through repeated tests and different scenarios, we found an issue that could damage other elements of the system. In this scenario, it wouldn’t have been caught for a small number of units. The issue was caught when the unit was put to the test, and the device was used multiple times.
We immediately took action and worked with the supplier to trace the issue back to the root cause and identify the source. We ran multiple scenarios to make sure it wasn’t a one-off. By working with the supplier, the root cause was identified, and a change was made, which also helped them supply better quality to their wider market.
We were satisfied with their ability to adapt and make changes. In this case, the customer never received anything but the high-quality integrated solution, even though we made them aware of the situation.
There are a few lessons learned that demonstrated how planning for corrective action and being proactive can pay off:
- Transparency – we kept our end customer informed that there was an issue and that we were working with the supplier/partner to resolve it.
- Customer–Centered – throughout the process, we kept our customer and the overall experience in mind, which drove our motivation.
- Trust but Test – we have a strong testing culture and methodology because we know that things can happen. Whether it’s FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) or a functional or component test, we invest in continuous testing.
- Simplex Advantage – the Simplex Advantage is the way we deliver value, incorporate long-term thinking with TCO (total cost of ownership), and provide value that you can count on. We continue to drive innovation.
- Partnership Mindset – our goal is to have the best long-term solution, find the root cause, and adjust for the benefit of all customers. We work with our partners and associations and are proud of the high level of quality we can deliver together.
Not all companies will have the volume to find the issues or test to this level without adding costs to the job. But it’s one of the things that we’re very proud of, and one of the ways that we can continue to deliver such high quality to our customers on custom control panels.
We have invested in ISO certification and provide top-level specs to meet our customers’ needs, including several UL approvals. Simplex was honored to have recently received the Operational Excellence and Spark Award from VIA, which recognized our quality approach.
To receive a quote or explore how Simplex System Controls can help you and your business, please reach out:
Contact us or call us at 630-766-8401.
We look forward to hearing from you!