Quality control is much more in depth that okaying products at the end of an assembly line. It is primarily about the mentality of the company you have hired to produce your goods. All employees from the front desk to the warehouse must be committed not only to the promise of low cost high quality, but a dedication to excellence as well. There are numerous international companies that promise this, but do not have the structure to attain this goal. One must be practical about quality control on a day to day basis not just in meetings or at trade shows. Once a company has gained your trust, then loyalty will certainly follow thus creating a win-win situation for all involved. Time is always a factor in quality control as defective parts take longer to fix as well as diminish confidence of staff, consumers and clients. Profits will usually increase with the proper quality controls in place.
It can be a challenge to trust another company to manufacture your goods to your exact specifications and with high quality. Outsourcing to another country where the language and culture are not your own, can be particularly anxiety producing. You have to be able to allow the process to happen and that there are quality controls already in place. 72% of shoes are made in China according to statisticbrain.com. A country with the lion’s share of manufacturing opportunities is doing something correctly. Quality Control, or QC as it is commonly known in the industry, is comprised of multiple aspects. External elements include controls, job management, well-managed processes performance and integrity criteria, alongside identification of records are integral parts of creating a product of the highest quality. Internal elements of quality control are the treatment of the workers and a positive working environment. American companies do their best to create safe and positive working environment for their workers. The following is a list of the top three practicalities when dealing with quality control.
- Inspections (primarily materials)
Quality control insists on material inspection. All materials must be safe and not run. In quality control, one of the QC managers will do what is called a rub test in which a cloth is run over the new product to make sure the colors do not run. A shoe that leaves dye on the consumer will not be very popular. Materials are also tested to ensure they meet the client’s expectations. If a shoe is to be made in leather, it stands to follow pleather will simply not do. Throughout the numerous inspections, the orders are consistently checked to deliver to the client’s expectations. Shoes will also be cleaned to make sure all chemicals incurred during the production process are removed.
- Consistency
Another aspect of quality control is the insistences that all products are uniform in natural. For example, if the client wants five inch heels, then all quantities must have five inch heels to the exaction of the client’s orders. All inferior products will be removed and not included with the clients’ orders. Size and measurements are checked to make sure they fit specifications. In addition, the soles of shoes are rigorously tested for traction in order to prevent injuries. Finally, all stitching is checked for density and customization. Quality Control involves quite a bit from each department and stringent attention to detail.
- Ask the Managers
Employees are directed by a manager in factories, so get to know the staff when meeting with your manufacturers. High quality companies will welcome questions. Mangers are in charge of not only the production lines running smoothly, but that the machinery is performing at optimal levels as well. They are always the liaison between the administration and staff. Managers must be effective communicators and not rely on fear tactics to speed up the process. They should be innovators helping the process of having your vision become a reality. When deciding which company with manufacture your goods, ask to see the manager to inquire about daily operations.