Incoming Inspection trends? ANSI Z1.4 / Z1.9 - What is normal?

[Scania22 - 2011]

Our organization is currently using a fairly typical incoming inspection program - ANSI Z1.4 / Z1.9 with normal and reduced inspection levels in combination with a skip lot system. To date, it has performed well.

Recently, it has become the target of some bean counters and I'm trying to get a feel for what most manufacturing companies are using nowadays in their receiving areas to ensure incoming quality.

In broad terms - are incoming inspection systems such as described still the norm in manufacturing operations? Or has there been a trend towards certifying vendors and dock-to-stock? For example could one say 90% of manufacturing companies still perform actual inspections of incoming components? or is that number too high?

Any help or direction to resources or surveys would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Caster]

Our organization is currently using a fairly typical incoming inspection program - ANSI Z1.4 / Z1.9 with normal and reduced inspection levels in combination with a skip lot system. To date, it has performed well.

Recently, it has become the target of some bean counters and I'm trying to get a feel for what most manufacturing companies are using nowadays in their receiving areas to ensure incoming quality.

In broad terms - are incoming inspection systems such as described still the norm in manufacturing operations? Or has there been a trend towards certifying vendors and dock-to-stock? For example could one say 90% of manufacturing companies still perform actual inspections of incoming components? or is that number too high?

Any help or direction to resources or surveys would be greatly appreciated.

Scania

Interesting question. I'm keen to see what percentage the Cove members come up with .

We are automotive and only deal with certifed vendors - no receveing inspection. We have no margins to cover this non value added activity.

I suspect you may have trouble with your bean counters if you can find a vendor who does not need receiving inspection, they may want a few more pennies. The savings are huge but some accountants can only see the pennies of extra cost.

So - one vote for certified vendors

 

[BadgerMan]

We are an aerospace/electronics assembly operation and still perform much receiving inspection work. However, roughly 40-50 percent of our vendors have qualified for dock-to-stock status based on their performance history. Obviously there is a big push to develop suppliers so more can qualify.

 

[Mike S.]

BadgerMan makes good points.

If your inspection history shows some suppliers can safely be made dock-to-stock, do it. Push the others in this direction, let them know it can/will affect your purchasing decisions.

The beancounters are making a reasonable request, IMO, and one that a good QM will jump on (and often should have jumped on long before the beancounters did).