International Purchasing Services for the consumer goods industry

We were approached by a client in the consumer goods industry who needed a new service provider to represent them in Asia. Their previous provider had reached its limits and was unable to keep up with the client’s growth. The client was also dealing with production quality issues, shipment delays, and rising costs.

In our initial involvement, we developed and implemented project work plans, and managed day-to-day operations with the vendors. We conducted pre-shipment inspections to provide quality control services and performed Social Responsibility audits for some of the vendors. These efforts resulted in the resolution of production quality issues and a reduction in production lead time.

In addition, we assisted the client with pricing and quoting negotiations for both existing and new products, and helped them explore new sources in China, India, and Thailand.

Fuel pump assembly components

We were tasked with sourcing components for a heavy industrial construction equipment client, specifically for a military application that required fuel pump assemblies in 24V and 28V. Quality was crucial to guarantee reliable fuel delivery in precise volumes under all operating conditions.

Early involvement in the project allowed us to collaborate with the client and suggest revisions to modernize the initial design. We also updated inspection procedures to ensure parts met critical dimensions and performance objectives. The primary operations involved deep drawn stamping of cold rolled steel and stainless steel parts. Prior to production, we used high-resolution measuring equipment to inspect the tooling and ensure it met all quality parameters. In addition to stamping, the production process involved injection molding and machining of rare earth magnets.

The final assembly had dimensions of 6.0″ in height and 3.0″ in diameter. Careful attention to detail during every step of production ensured weldments were at 5° and the product was accurate to within ±0.002″. The assembly not only met customer specifications but also UL performance standards to guarantee zero-failure operation. We currently deliver 8,000 units to the customer annually.

USB hub circuit for the electronics industry

Our client in the electronics industry asked us to manage the production of a USB hub circuit designed for an Apple docking station. Our services included design, engineering, manufacturing, and rigorous quality assurance assistance. During the design phase, our engineers applied industry best practices to ensure compliance with stringent government safety standards and specified construction materials in accordance with UL, CUL, and RoHS standards. We also considered all critical factors in manufacturing and selected vendors with superior technology and outstanding reliability. The finished USB hub measured 6.4″ long x 5.15″ wide x 0.62″ high and featured an epoxy-laminated prepreg 4-layer board construction. Primary work included surface mount and through-hole assembly, drilling, and etching. Secondary operations included masking, silk-screening, and conformal coating to provide environmental protection for long-term assembly integrity. Numerous quality assurance processes were employed to verify the functionality and connection speed of all circuits. Thanks to our ability to manage this critical element of USB hub design and manufacturing, the client received boards with a near zero defect rate. Today, we continue to supply 4,000 units per year.

Our client in the electronics industry asked us to manage the production of a USB hub circuit designed for an Apple docking station. Our services included design, engineering, manufacturing, and rigorous quality assurance assistance. During the design phase, our engineers applied industry best practices to ensure compliance with stringent government safety standards and specified construction materials in accordance with UL, CUL, and RoHS standards. We also considered all critical factors in manufacturing and selected vendors with superior technology and outstanding reliability. The finished USB hub measured 6.4″ long x 5.15″ wide x 0.62″ high and featured an epoxy-laminated prepreg 4-layer board construction. Primary work included surface mount and through-hole assembly, drilling, and etching. Secondary operations included masking, silk-screening, and conformal coating to provide environmental protection for long-term assembly integrity. Numerous quality assurance processes were employed to verify the functionality and connection speed of all circuits. Thanks to our ability to manage this critical element of USB hub design and manufacturing, the client received boards with a near zero defect rate. Today, we continue to supply 4,000 units per year.

Brass fitting for industrial water heaters

A customer in the industrial water heater industry approached us looking for a supplier for the brass fittings shown here. Their unique design used composite threads, and they were looking for a manufacturer that could accurately and repeatably machine them within their budget. Based on a technical evaluation of the customer’s specifications, our expert procurement team identified a manufacturing facility that had demonstrated exceptional ingenuity on several previous projects. We worked closely with the engineers and technicians at that factory to secure sample products, which we forwarded to the client for approval. The shape, fit, and functionality of the product were then highly praised, and the client immediately placed an order for mass production. The main task was to forge brass couplings to make the parts stronger and less prone to failure. The highly technical screw machine, intelligent cutting tool selection, and precise computer control of the screw pitch, angle, and shape enabled the combined machining of 3/4 -14 NPSM and .987/.982 PD screws. When complete, the fittings measured 1.975″ in diameter x 1.75″ in length and fully met customer specification requirements. Engineering expertise and in-depth knowledge of professional threading tools and techniques contributed greatly to the quality and performance of the product. We continue to supply these fittings to our clients with a production volume of 35000 units per year.

Tooling assembly of hand dryer motor for the appliance industry

A client from the small appliance industry approached us to find a new source for a 120 & 230 V motor. Their current vendor had a 4% rejection rate, which they wanted to improve. We offered an advanced technical competency for electrical motor design, engineered a smart solution for manufacturing the components, and managed the entire project, from concept engineering to delivery.

Our primary objective was to ensure that the motor met national and international safety standards and RoHS requirements. The motor was designed for use in hand dryers found in public restrooms and included components produced via various manufacturing methods, such as screw machining, progressive die stamping, die casting, winding, and more. Materials of construction included steel, copper, and zinc, as well as plastic and rubber.

We organized the production flow of all the components, which was crucial to ensure the steady pace of assembly. The motor underwent inspections to verify dimensional tolerances were held to ± 0.127 mm, along with full electrical and dielectric testing to ensure long-term performance.

The quality of the motor we provided satisfied the client, with a rejection rate dropping to an impressive .03%. Currently, we supply these motors to the customer at a rate of 60,000 per year.

Linear actuators for lifting systems

A client, who produces independent-living aids such as power-chair lifts and home lifting systems, had encountered issues with the inconsistent quality of their 12-volt linear actuators. In order to overcome this problem, they approached us for assistance in sourcing a linear actuator that would meet their requirements and avoid the issues they had previously encountered. We conducted an exhaustive process to identify a reliable source and worked closely with the client to make necessary design changes. Our engineers carried out comprehensive in-house testing, as well as third-party testing using the client’s own test fixture. Once the actuator met the required standards for performance and quality, we provided samples to the client for in-house and field testing. The client confirmed our test results and noted that our linear actuators exceeded the quality and performance of their previous suppliers. As a result, we secured the business and continue to supply these high-quality linear actuators to the client.