Definition Critical Supplier - Definition of

[al40]

Hi covers,
I need some clarification I have a customer (not automotive)who wants APQP requirements flowed down to suppliers of critical components/systems. What/who is considered a critical supplier, a distributor of COTS, a company that stuffs boards for you, or someone who builds to a specific print for you that has KC's associated with it?

Thanks,

Al

 

[Jim Wynne]

Hi covers,
I need some clarification I have a customer (not automotive)who wants APQP requirements flowed down to suppliers of critical components/systems. What/who is considered a critical supplier, a distributor of COTS, a company that stuffs boards for you, or someone who builds to a specific print for you that has KC's associated with it?

Thanks,

Al

I'm a little confused, Allen. You say your customer wants requirements flowed down to critical suppliers, but the customer hasn't defined what a critical supplier is? Sounds like a tail-wagging-the-dog situation. "Critical" in this context is defined by the customer, based on the customer's own concerns and need for risk mitigation. I would think that when KCs have been identified that some measure of criticality is indicated, but it depends on the circumstances. To paraphrase Forrest Gump's mama, critical is as critical does.

 

[al40]

I'm a little confused, Allen. You say your customer wants requirements flowed down to critical suppliers, but the customer hasn't defined what a critical supplier is? Sounds like a tail-wagging-the-dog situation. "Critical" in this context is defined by the customer, based on the customer's own concerns and need for risk mitigation. I would think that when KCs have been identified that some measure of criticality is indicated, but it depends on the circumstances. To paraphrase Forrest Gump's mama, critical is as critical does.

Thanks,

That's what I was thinking, we have two vendors that build to a supplied drawing that have KC's called out. I'm going to go that route unless otherwised specified by the customer during our PDR. The rest of the suppliers are COTS, and the other supplier provides a part that we test 100% in house.

Thanks for the input.

Al

 

[Al Dyer]

Al,

Are you going to veryify your definition of "critical" without customer confirmation? Could be dicey if a problem comes up and there is no meeting of the minds.

Al...

 

[al40]

Al,

Are you going to veryify your definition of "critical" without customer confirmation? Could be dicey if a problem comes up and there is no meeting of the minds.

Al...

I talked to my customer contact last night and they said since we had design authority that we were to decide who was critical.


Thanks,
Al