Working together

27 October, 2017

For OEM suppliers of vehicles and machinery to sectors such as quarrying and mining, it is critical to demand the highest standards when it comes to sourcing parts and equipment from supplier partners. Nick Love, global customer solutions manager of Volvo Group company, Terex Trucks, explained that when selecting parts and components for its trucks – including pumps, cylinders, valves, motors, hydraulic hoses & connectors and tubes etc. – the company needs be able to rely on suppliers who can deliver within short specified lead-times, while also adhering to the same high quality, reliability, safety and environmental standards as Terex Trucks itself does.

Timely equipment delivery

Similarly, suppliers to OEMs need to ensure that their own equipment supply chain is as efficient and reliable as possible in order for them to provide the best product and service provision to customers. As an example, Andrew Dawes, product manager for hydraulics at British Fluid Power (BFPA) member company, Eriks UK, picks up the lead-time theme explaining that timely delivery of equipment from Eriks’s own equipment providers is critical. “With all our customers, we regularly monitor our performance in terms of delivering within specific lead-times and align to what is expected by them,” he said.

Iain Hanson, general manager – fluid, power and seals at BFPA member company, Brammer, also stressed that manufacturers need to have the ability to deliver on time and in full within a short timeframe. “It is important that delivery commitments to customers are met, and where possible are exceeded, to provide added value,” he said, adding: “In turn, we need to ensure the manufacturers we source from are cost-effective in order for our customers to access competitive pricing. Cost is an important element for most customers and they need to be provided with the confidence that the supplier is offering the right products at the right price.”

Accreditation

With regard to quality, environmental and health & safety management, Hanson commented that suppliers should be accredited to ISO-9001, ISO-14001 and ISO-18001. “Brammer’s suppliers need to be accredited to these ISO standards in order for us to work with them,” he said, adding that Brammer customers have ever increasing expectations which must be matched as a minimum or exceeded wherever possible.

In terms of in-service parts quality performance, Hanson pointed out that Brammer’s regime focuses on the brand recognition of the product and the minimisation of issues surrounding failed deliveries due to quality concerns. “In this area it is vital that all fluid power components meet the highest quality standards and that suppliers source them from recognised manufacturers who can comply with customer requirements,” he said.