Lesson 1Operational and capacity criteria: monthly output, tooling lead time, scalability, lead time variabilityCovers how to assess supplier capacity, production flexibility, tooling readiness, and lead time reliability, using data on monthly output, bottlenecks, scalability plans, and variability drivers to ensure supply continuity under demand swings.
Installed capacity and utilization dataTooling availability and changeover timeRamp‑up plans and scalability limitsLead time variability and root causesContingency and surge capacity optionsLesson 2Quality and compliance: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, UL/CE/EN standards, RoHS, REACH, CB SchemeDescribes how to assess quality and compliance maturity, covering ISO systems, product safety marks, environmental and chemical regulations, testing regimes, and documentation needed to meet global market and customer requirements.
ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 implementationUL, CE, EN and CB Scheme certificationsRoHS, REACH and similar regulationsIncoming, in‑process and final inspectionTraceability, records and change controlLesson 3Detailed technical criteria for electric motors: performance, efficiency, duty cycle, materials, IP/code specsDefines motor-specific technical criteria, including performance curves, efficiency classes, duty cycle, insulation and bearing design, materials, and IP or code compliance, enabling objective comparison of motor suppliers and offers.
Rated power, torque and speed curvesEfficiency class and test standardsDuty cycle, thermal class and coolingMaterials, insulation and bearing designIP rating, codes and certification needsLesson 4Logistics and delivery criteria: lead time, transit modes, packaging, customs experienceDetails evaluation of logistics capabilities, including standard and expedited lead times, transport modes, packaging robustness, export documentation, and customs experience, to minimise delays, damage, and landed cost volatility.
Standard and expedited lead time metricsPreferred transport modes and routingExport packaging design and testingTrade compliance and customs historyIncoterm alignment with logistics riskLesson 5After-sales support and warranty, field failure response and corrective action processesExplains how to evaluate after-sales support, warranty terms, and field failure handling, including response times, root-cause analysis quality, corrective action rigour, and feedback loops that protect uptime and total cost of ownership.
Warranty coverage scope and exclusionsService response times and SLAsSpare parts availability and logisticsRoot‑cause analysis and 8D qualityCorrective and preventive action trackingLesson 6Commercial criteria: pricing structure, incoterms, payment terms, MOQs, tooling and sampling costsOutlines commercial evaluation criteria, including pricing structure, cost breakdowns, Incoterms, payment terms, MOQs, tooling and sampling charges, enabling total cost comparisons and negotiation strategies across suppliers.
Unit pricing, tiers and indexationCost breakdown and value‑add analysisIncoterms and freight cost allocationPayment terms, credit and financingMOQs, tooling and sampling cost impactLesson 7Detailed technical criteria for heating elements: Wattage, composition (nichrome, stainless, cartridge), thermal cycling, safety featuresSpecifies technical evaluation points for heating elements, including wattage and power density, alloy composition, construction type, thermal cycling behaviour, insulation, and safety features required for reliable, compliant operation.
Wattage, voltage and power density limitsAlloy selection and material compositionCartridge, strip and tubular designsThermal cycling life and failure modesInsulation, grounding and safety devicesLesson 8Sustainability, ESG and supplier policies: conflict minerals, labour practices, environmental controlsExplores sustainability and ESG criteria, such as conflict minerals due diligence, labour and human rights practices, environmental controls, and supplier policies, aligning sourcing decisions with corporate responsibility commitments.
Conflict minerals tracing and reportingLabor, safety and human rights auditsEnvironmental permits and emissions dataESG policies, KPIs and public reportingSupplier code of conduct enforcement
