Quality and Compliance

Supplier Quality

Quality is the absolute 'non-negotiable' when it comes to supplier selection and management at SerCom Solutions. Supplier selection and management are therefore critically important activities which can seriously impact overall business performance. Customers can be assured that SerCom Solutions enforces a stringent supplier selection and approval process. We also provide ongoing day-to-day supplier management and quality assurance (QA) by locating our highly qualified and experienced personnel close to the source of supply.

Suppliers must have the capability to deliver parts and products of consistent quality, to both ourselves and our customers. We assess this capability in aspiring or potential suppliers, through the use of an initial questionnaire-based 'paper review'. Successful completion of this stage is followed by a visit by SerCom quality personnel to audit the suppliers processes and personnel in action. The audit process will continue until the selected suppliers have reached the required quality standards to attain the SerCom Seal of Approval.

Performance and reliability testing are key requirements for specific components and products. Some of SerComs clients require us to provide this service due to our experience at managing this process and indeed our success at gaining regulatory approval for a wide range of products. In general, we conduct pilot programmes for all new suppliers and components prior to qualification. Initial shipments of products and components are inspected at source to ensure any issues are found and dealt with quickly and without impact to our customers. In some instances we work collaboratively with our customers who may provide specific part and supplier approvals.

More than 80 % of our commodity spend is now in low cost locations - primarily in China. We have an excellent QA team based in our Shenzhen office. They spend their time working with existing suppliers - carrying out source inspections, monitoring production runs and factory quality metrics. Our ability to significantly reduce or eliminate risk at source allows us have confidence in the material in transit to both ourselves and our customers.

Corrective Actions (CARs) are raised for any quality issues - prevention of recurrence is paramount to us at SerCom. Monthly metrics are reviewed with suppliers along with action plans for improvement. Our detailed QBRs (Quarterly Business Reviews) rate key suppliers in three main areas: quality, continuity of supply and cost. Continuous improvement is a way of life for SerCom and our suppliers.

SerComs customers can be assured of an excellent, metric-driven management system for their second tier suppliers. Tactical execution is successfully managed by our own supply chain function with strong local resources close to the source of supply.