In the modern, connected marketplace where external service providers and suppliers from all over the world are easily found via a quick Google search, many organisations are now outsourcing large parts of their business actions to such external providers without considering the systems that those organisations themselves may or may not have in place.
A mindset of “It’s worked fine so far, it will probably always be okay” or using a recommended or larger, well-renowned company is an easy one to fall into and assumptions that such providers will always be able to provide based on their previous performance can be a dangerous one. Many organisations using external services might not even consider how late deliveries, non-conforming or damaged products, or inability to provide the requested service, can have an impact on meeting customer requirements.
Organisations often have so many suppliers that it can be difficult to keep on top of their performance, never mind regularly auditing them to ensure they have the best procedures in place to continually provide what is expected of them.
Supply chain auditing should be an important part of your business actions and complement any other management system that you decide to use. In clause 8.4 Control of External Providers, ISO 9001 talks about an external provider (or supplier) which can be defined as any entity that provides goods, materials, knowledge, parts, assemblies, printed materials, services, software, or finished goods that feature, or are incorporated into your business’s final product or service.
Such providers should be evaluated and controlled to ensure that their products and services conform to your business requirements.
Start 2023 on the right foot by arranging a supply chain audit now. Vassallo Associates can advise on all aspects of conducting your supply chain audit. Contact us to arrange a no-obligation discussion of how we can best assist you.
