How to ensure quality in the supply chain

To help improve customer satisfaction, greater emphasis is given to the aspect of quality in the supply chain, experts say.

Monday, April 01, 2013

To help improve customer satisfaction, greater emphasis is given to the aspect of quality in the supply chain, experts say."Quality is an important part of the supply chain, whether it is quality inspections during the manufacturing process or checking raw materials and parts as they enter the factory. "Before any part or raw material is used, it is the responsibility of the purchasing department to ensure that the materials are of the right quality specification,” the experts advise.Jean Damascene Habumuremyi, a city business man, who runs a maize mill, says as part of the supply chain one always has to ensure that all specifications on quality are met."Right from the sacks we use to package to stores, we always ensure that by the time we are distributing the maize flour, there  would be nothing for clients to complain about. "We ensure that nothing is left to chance, especially those that could cause health complications,” Habumuremyi says.The Rwanda Bureau of Standards has been at its best always trying to make sure that salesmen sell the certified commodities and in the right quantities.Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, the director general of the standards body, notes that processors like maize and millet millers must always use the right packaging that does not endanger consumers.Cyubahiro was speaking during the World Consumer Rights day last month.Usually, the quality of the parts and raw materials determine the quality of the product, other factors like hygiene are kept constant.By ensuring that the purchased parts are of a specific quality as defined by the development, manufacturing or quality departments, the quality of the finished goods is maintained.Quality inspections are an important part of the manufacturing process, as well as the whole supply chain, from goods receipt, production, goods issue and storage.