posted 12 April 1999 11:06 AM               

Howard has pointed you in the right direction. I would like to add this question for you to consider.

What condition do you expect the parts your subcontractors manufacture to get to your facility in?

I know, a silly question. Yet the OEMs ask this question all the time. Why? Probably because they are aware that most organizations do not plan well (enough). That is why I believe that the OEMs ask you to ask the same question to your subcontractors. After all, what steps have they taken to submit you quality parts each and every time? Are they dimensionally correct? Are they the correct color and free of scratches? Did they package the parts properly for transit to your organization and for storage/usage? Did they plan to deliver you on time, every time with the correct merchandise?

The extension of the PPAP process feeds directly into Supplier Development as pointed out by Howard in the other posts (see the link if you haven't already). As this is an extension of your own Control Plan, keep this in mind and be sure that your suppliers keep good quality records (FMEAs, product verification and validation records, etc.) and that they are available, or have them send them the documentation to you to keep it on file.