Here’s a problem we see rarely; never is when we’d prefer to
see it. One contact requested a quote for machined plates that fit
together. The finished item was a
machine base, so the parts needed to match up on the edges and various cut-outs
needed to match up as well. Some burnout
activity was indicated.
Our source, very experienced with fabricating machine bases, noted the specified tolerances would require
water jet cuts, as plasma could not hold those tolerances. The OEM had indicated the use of plasma for cut-outs, but our source would not employ a process that could not meet the specified tolerances. And so we quoted with water jet.
We learned that our quote, while close, was not chosen. The existing supplier retained their
business, even though the contact had some issues. But in this case price prevailed and everyone
moved on.
Later we learned the project was indeed plasma cut and when
we pointed out the tolerances could not be met with this method, we were told
the status quo was just fine, and engineering was not going to be asked to
change their specified tolerances. This means the OEM was specifying tolerances that could not be met by the successful bidder for manufacturing.
We chose not to pursue future competition for this
business. Obviously, if we are producing
known out of tolerance parts, a future of problems lurks. Apparently, pointing out this tolerance
non-compliance and their acceptance was “appreciated”, but did not cause a
change in supplier.
So here we have a case where a company specifies tolerances
they do not police and a supplier who apparently knows they are violating those
tolerances (or if they do not, what does that say about that supplier?). When the company discovers this
inconsistency, they choose to perpetuate the situation rather than correct the
tolerances required.
So in this case we have chosen not to pursue future RFQ’s,
despite the work being in our supplier’s sweet spot.
If this shoe fits, you might consider what you are asking
and receiving from your suppliers, and who might be reluctant to bid on future
work. This is not a healthy situation
for anyone.