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One of the most challenging parts of the product development and production process is avoiding defective products. Unless you implement rigorous quality control checks, you won’t be able to rule out sending defective products to customers. If your customers do end up receiving a product that is defective, and it hurts them in some way, then they could demand compensation from you. If your business has only just started, then this could force you into bankruptcy, resulting in your business closing before it has even had the opportunity to flourish.
Here is how to prevent defective products in your business’s production line:
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Inspection
One of the most effective solutions for ruling out defective products is to outsource your business’s inspection and packaging needs to a product safety agency. These organizations have access to high-quality technology, like x-ray scanners, that allow them to perform detailed checks on your business’s outbound products. Working with companies such as TDI Packsys, an expert quality control, and inspection service, is very straightforward and hassle-free. These companies can either work in-house or you can send your products out to them, where they can inspect them and then dispatch them to customers.
Supplier
If your business doesn’t produce its own products or relies on outside suppliers for materials essential to your product’s production process, then you need to find a reliable and trustworthy supplier to work with. The easiest way to do this is to check out reviews and testimonials online. You could also find out who your competitors work with, and then source products from them. Many suppliers will customize or alter products for you for an added fee. This allows you to add your own flair to products, meaning yours will be different from your competitors, even if they come from the same place.
Samples
If you are working with large suppliers, then it’s essential that you request samples before placing orders. Samples give you a clear idea of what to expect from a product. If you notice any issues with a sample, then you can bring them up with the supplier and ask for them to be changed. If the sample arrives in a very unsatisfactory condition, then you will know before placing an order that it’s a bad idea to work with that supplier. Samples are usually free, although some companies will ask that you pay for the sample’s shipping if it is a large item.
Control
Quality control is something that you need to enforce in your company, especially if you have an in-house production line. The most effective way of ensuring that your business only produces quality products is to work out a checklist. Workers at every stage in your business’s production line can then check through the list when they receive the product. If they notice anything that isn’t right, then can either contact a manager or send the product back to have the necessary changes made.
Maintenance
If you rely on heavy machinery to produce products for you, then make sure that you regularly maintain them. Machines that aren’t maintained can deteriorate very quickly, resulting in more defective products. In addition to preventing defects from occurring during production, proper machine maintenance also allows you to save money. Heavy machinery isn’t cheap. If you don’t maintain your machinery, then it will either break or need repairs (neither of which is going to be light on your wallet). Routine maintenance can prolong your machinery’s lifespan and ensure that fewer problems are experienced by the people operating them. Cleaning your machines and oiling them is a very big part of maintenance that you mustn’t overlook.
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Communication
Communication is the backbone of a strong company. If your business’s communication channels aren’t properly established, then the staff in charge of production, handling, and packaging can all make mistakes. Most experts agree that in order to keep your business’s production line running, you need a manager and several inspectors on the floor at all times. Inspectors can check out different stages in the production line, while the floor’s manager can meet out punishment and enforce your rules. Inspectors and managers can also communicate important information to your staff, which reduces mistakes and defects.
Testing
It is a very good idea to test your products before you begin packaging them and sending them out to customers. You can’t possibly test every single item, so a solution is to pick a single item off of your production line and check it for problems. If you find some, then take another, and check that too. If you don’t find any problems with the first item, then it’s safe to move on. If the first item you select has defects, it’s very likely that others will too. Mentioned earlier was outsourcing to inspection companies. These companies can complete product testing for you.
Packaging
If your products aren’t carefully packaged, then they could become damaged in transit, which could result in them developing defects. It’s unlikely that a product is going to become dangerous because it has been damaged during transit, but it can still result in unhappy customers requesting refunds and exchanges. To best ensure that your business doesn’t have to deal with frequent refund or exchange requests (which can overwhelm your customer service department), hire professional packers to handle and package items. Make sure that you pay for them to be properly trained in how to handle packages, even if they have previous experience. A refresher course isn’t going to hurt them.
Professionalism
Finally, make sure that every employee working for you is professional and qualified. When you begin allowing underqualified and inexperienced staff into your business, accidents begin to happen. You can’t take any chances with your business’s production line. Inexperienced staff can make mistakes. Mistakes can result in defective products becoming a common occurrence. If your products are frequently defective, your business will develop a bad reputation; customers won’t want to deal with you and your reviews will be terrible. Professional and experienced staff are the only way to ensure success.
Lots of businesses take shortcuts when it comes to product inspection and quality control. This is because it can be expensive to manage this stage of a production line. Unfortunately, you will have to bear the cost and have your products thoroughly checked before they are sent out to customers. The trouble that sending defective products out can cause simply isn’t worth cutting corners and saving money.
