QIC Guru

Managing suppliers throughout the aerospace supply chain is a major challenge for the industry. The chain is long, and within the supply base, there are sources that serve many industries. Because the industry is so dependent upon this supply chain, AS9100 includes a number of additional expectations for identifying and maintaining suppliers. Supplier approval is just one step in the process of managing suppliers.

 Effectively communicating requirements is very important. The standard lists seven specific areas for consideration. They range from defining engineering requirements to managing test samples and right of access to suppliers’ facilities.

 The industry typically relies upon one of three methods for product acceptance. An organization might conduct a receiving inspection, perform the inspection at the supplier’s facility or formally assign product acceptance to the supplier. Procedures for determining the method of supplier control are required, as are the processes used when using these methods.

 But no element of supplier control is more important than understanding that a supplier is responsible for managing its suppliers and subtier suppliers. This includes performing special processes that are frequently subcontracted to business consutling firms. The supplier must use customer-approved sources; however, ensuring that the processing is properly performed is the supplier’s responsibility.

A new avenue has opened up in supplier surveillance auditing, which has had the effect of  lowering cost and delivering real time results to customers. AS9100 software applications have made it possible to manage the quality requirements for as9100 from your desk top, while lowering the cost of visiting suppliers less frequently. This system is so effective that some registrars are now considering using it for such requirements as document review, corrective and preventive action effectiveness, quality objective review, internal audit effectiveness etc.  All of this is done remotely thus lowering travel costs and disruptions to the customer business. Some requirements will always require on site visits, but the amount of time needed to complete a surveillance audit will reduce dramatically.