One more question for the day.

Are all automotive parts considered service parts ?
Is it advisable for a paintshop service provider for automotive plastic parts go for TS 16949 Certification? I know TS is a requirement for automotive assembly companies as well as supplier of service parts, but does it include paintshop service providers?
All the company does in paint the parts, they were not the maker of plastic parts.

Please advice.

Thanks.

Are all automotive parts considered service parts ?

Not based on my experiences in the 1st tier of the Auto Industry. Parts can be produced to meet production requirements or they can be produced to meet service requirements regardless whether they are “produced” or value is just added to an existing part via a process like painting.

Is it advisable for a paintshop service provider for automotive plastic parts go for TS 16949 Certification??

Production of “service” parts does not make you a “service” provider. The painting the company does (whether for production or service requirements) is the service that is provided. Hence, the service that the company provides (painting) is the product, IMHO. Clear as mud, eh?

I believe that the standard in question is applicable in your case.

Jerleen, welcome to the Cove.

The requirement for companies to obtain registration to TS 16949 only applies to direct suppliers of automotive parts/services to an OEM. If you supply to a customer who then sells the product to an OEM, you are not REQUIRED to be registered. Having said that, your company is elegible for registration if they choose to do so. Painting is specifically described as one of the elegible areas. There are many things to consider when deciding to seek registration to TS 16949 including your customer's requirement and your own company's desire.

In my opinion, if there is no requirement to be registered to 16949, I would choose to certify my QMS to ISO 9001:2000 and work toward compliance to TS (NOT CERTIFICATION). This is the minimum requirement for automotive suppliers.

Please get other opinions and consider the needs of your company and your customers. If you have more questions, please let us know.

Dave

One more question for the day.

Are all automotive parts considered service parts ?
Is it advisable for a paintshop service provider for automotive plastic parts go for TS 16949 Certification? I know TS is a requirement for automotive assembly companies as well as supplier of service parts, but does it include paintshop service providers?
All the company does in paint the parts, they were not the maker of plastic parts.

Please advice.

Thanks.


"Service" parts are those that are produced (or consumed) after "regular" production of product has ceased. A better name for them might be "replacement" parts. For example, when a particular car model is no longer produced, or when design changes have been made such that the original part is no longer used in regular production, the "service part" designation is used, because new parts may still be needed as replacements, but not in significant production quantities.

So the answer to your question is that being a provider of services such as painting or plating for current production parts is effectively no different from supplying parts. You should seek quality system registration if it's required by customers, or if management thinks it might be a competitive advantage.

Thanks very much for all your replies, you're all a great help. :yes: