In today’s highly competitive markets in an increasingly globalized world, companies constantly face some very complex situations. This has pushed many of them – either to thrive or sometimes simply to survive - to seek improved costs for raw materials, components, sub-assemblies or finished products, in order to be more competitive and innovative.
In response to these market needs, the company S³ Strategic Sourcing Solutions was founded in 2003, focused on the activity of 'sourcing', i.e. the search and selection of competitive Asian manufacturers, the management of product development projects and quality control inspections.
Sourcing
You want to manufacture in China?
S³ provides both in Spain and in China, an expert team in purchasing, manufacturing and quality management:
Technical capacity to manage audits, product development and quality control
Active presence in major industrial regions: Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Chongqing, Fujian, Shandong, Shanxi, etc.
3 options for joint projects, adapted to the needs of each company:
- "Basic": includes the selection of the most suitable factory for each project and a standard quality control inspection before each shipment.
- "Advanced": includes additionally factory audits, product development management and purchasing missions.
- "Premium": implies the most comprehensive service package, including certification management, 'in-company' training programs and the establishment of a purchasing central in China.
Regardless of the industry or the specific product, each project will be evaluated and managed according to the standard S³ sourcing procedure:
- Consensual assessment of the feasibility of the project
- RFQ Form: comprehensive compilation of the product specifications
- Search and selection of adequate factories
- Presentation of purchasing budgets
- Production and monitoring of initial samples
- Mass production and corresponding quality control
To explain the foregoing procedure in more detail, the S³ sourcing team has developed ample documentation, including the case study: 'Sourcing of chrome wire shelving' (see below at ‘Experience’).
Factory selection
S³ has a network of Asian manufacturers, which is constantly expanding, offering customers thereby an extensive research and evaluation of suppliers from various industries.
Additionally, S³ manages its network of suppliers, representatives and logistics partners in Asia to offer the most competitive conditions to its customers. If the customer wishes to visit the selected factories, S³ will provide all necessary support during the meetings, translation of documents, negotiating and advice on legal procedures.
There are many procedures related to import of goods from Asia. An error can cause considerable delays that have the potential to be very expensive. To avoid problems, S³ offers its customers all the services needed for a complete sourcing operation.
In order to start the project correctly, S3 has developed its RFQ (Request for Quotation) form, which, when duly completed, will be the basis for the efficient selection of the suppliers. You can obtain the RFQ form here.
Product development
S3 has the ability to manage in situ, jointly with the customer and the corresponding Asian manufacturers, complex product development processes, including:
- Review of the original technical specifications
- Training of technical teams in Asia
- Production of prototypes
- Validation of proposed improvements and modifications
- Certifications and homologations
Quality control
S³ has the operational capacity to manage inspections at all stages of sourcing:
- Initial factory audits (production means, installations, human resources, capacities, certifications...)
- Quality control of raw materials and validation of the first representative product samples
- Quality assurance during the entire production
- Quality control prior to shipment (ANSI-ASQ Z1.4 standard)
To ensure the success of the sourcing process it is crucial to establish the quality control program. S³ offers quality control in situ, e.g. in the factory’s premisses, prior to production, during production and before the loading of the goods.
Quality control involves Asian technicians specialized in implementing quality control programs, according to the relevant international standards.
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Other services
Apart from the standard services of supplier selection and quality control, product development projects and quality control inspections, S³ offers several additional options to its customers, including:
- Purchasing missions
- Certification management
- „In-company” training
- Purchasing central management
If you are interested in the various services offered by S³ in the field of ‚sourcing' please contact us.
Experience
Collective seating
Labware
Specialty soldering
Door phones
Warehousing & stocking supplies
Building materials
Collective seating
World leader in collective seating contacted S³ Sourcing for the complete production in Asia of metal structures for their renowned cinema seating range. .
The project involved creative supplier search since most factories were not able to produce the requested units (seating base and internal structure) up to the customer's tight production standards.
Contributed technical expertise includes: precision stamping, welding, machining, painting and state-of-the-art packaging, all overseen by the S³ quality inspection team.
Labware
Spanish start-up company in the labware distribution industry requested S³'s assistance in order to source low cost materials at acceptable quality levels. After only a short period of time, the customer managed to position themselves as the domestic leader in the newly created low cost segment for professional labware.
Products include: glassware, jointed glassware, metalware and porcelain items for use in laboratories.
Main challenges include: personalized and shock-resistant packaging, continuous quality assurance, cost control and logistics management.
Specialty soldering
Domestic leader in the specialty soldering gun (heating torch) industry, renowned for its state-of-the-art product range, counted on S³ Sourcing for supplier research and selection in Asia, product and packaging development, as well as quality inspection.
Main challenges include: highly demanding quality standards linked to tight safety regulations, a diversified product range, personalized packaging and 100% quality assurance involving, among others, labeling and traceability processes.
Door phones
Domestic leader in door phone design and technology wanted S³ Sourcing to develop and manage in China the complete outsourcing of substantial parts of its renowned product range.
Main challenges include: permanent cost control and improvement, advanced plastic injection process, direct S³ involvement in the selection of component suppliers and continuous quality assurance processes.
Warehousing and stocking supplies
Major German player in warehousing and stocking supplies counted on S³ Sourcing for supplier research and selection in Asia, product and packaging development, as well as quality inspection for personalized aluminum box sets and other related products.
Main challenges include: product finishing, high quality and cost control.
Building materials
Spanish subsidiary of major European distribution chain, focused on building materials for professional customers only.
The company requested S³ Sourcing to assist the Purchasing Department at sourcing quality big bags and woven bags for construction rubble.
Main challenges include: tight cost control, straight quality standards compliance and logistics optimization.
Self-powered inflator pump
Lightweight shelving technology
Metal street bins and ashtrays
Recycling bags
Home and garden products
Fencing tools
Self-powered inflator pump
Spanish start-up company in the consumer novelties industry counted on S³ for the complete outsourcing of a newly designed self-powered inflator pump, developed by one of the country's most prestigious industrial design agencies.
Main challenges include: supplier research, material selection, continuous adaptation to product specification modifications during the sourcing process, product development, testing and certification, cost control and quality assurance processes.
Lightweight shelving technology
Domestic leader in lightweight shelving technology requested S³ Sourcing to improve its cost structure and packaging for a wide range of shelving accessories.
The product range includes: sets of nuts and bolts in multiple packaging configurations, reinforcement squares with a variety of finishing types, plastic injection supports in several sizes and colors, plastic shelving covers, personalized storage pockets, etc.
Major challenges include: tight cost control, upgraded packaging and logistics management.
Metal streets bins and ashtrays
Major player in the urban garbage disposal industry invited S³ to outsource the complete development and production of Barcelona's state-of-the-art metal street bin and ashtray range.
Main challenges include: cost control, outdoor weather-resistant steel treatments, technical compatibility with existing models, tight delivery schedules and packaging complexity.
Recycling bags
Major player in the urban garbage disposal industry invited S³ to handle the outsourcing of the development and production of a new range of recycling bag systems.
Main challenges include: creative supplier research, material selection and compatibility, print quality, order variety and continuous quality assurance.
Home and garden products
European leader in the retail industry for home and garden products selected S³ for the research and selection of new Asian suppliers for their Spanish subsidiary.
Products include: foldable tables and benches, foldable picnic table kits, hand trolleys, garden hoses, etc.
Challenges include: personalized packaging, tight cost control and logistical processes.
Fencing tools
The company, a leader in the design and manufacture of specialized tools tailored for agriculture and industry, has commissioned S3 to manage a project for the product development and industrialization of a updated set of fencing tools.
Sourcing expertise per product category
The key to success in an industrial sourcing project is the experience provided by the management team and strict quality control procedures.
It is precisely the experience in a wide variety of projects that gives S³ its leadership position in the market and that is shown here as a complete set of case studies as well as a summary of products of which the production in Asia has been successfully managed by the team.
Case study of a complete sourcing process
The sourcing team has developed a detailed example of how the sourcing process is implemented and of which you can request the complete set of documents here.
Case studies of products
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The sourcing team has a detailed technical instructions and inspection report corresponding to quality control , you can request an example here.
Case study quality control
FAQ
Why start a sourcing activity in China with S³?
The current market requires all companies to be competitive and therefore obtaining savings on purchases is seen as a basic tool for each player. China is an alternative to offer unbeatable prices. And you can be sure that also your competitors are actively working in the same direction.
S³, with over ten years of proven experience in sourcing activities in China and engineers specialized in purchasing and quality, is your strategic partner to manage this activity with guarantees.
How I can ensure a high success rate in a sourcing project with S³?
The sourcing activity is not only about purchasing, the whole organization of the company must understand the associated advantages and participate within their framework of responsibilities. It is a strategic project for the company and as such should be supported and led by top management.
S³ offers the possibility of organizing training sessions to convey the specific management challenges of purchasing on the Chinese market and explain the guidelines to follow throughout the process to facilitate a successful project.
What should I evaluate to decide which products to develop within the S³ sourcing activity?
There are many parameters to consider (technical complexity, purchasing volumes, quality risks, logistics...) to decide which products to purchase in Asia.
S3 makes a preliminary analysis based on the information provided by the company and guides the customer to make a first selection of these products.
Who will be my contact person when I start an S³ sourcing project?
The S³ team consists of a group of specialists in many fields, countries and regions.
In the first phase, you will be directly in touch with our operational head office in Barcelona (contact us here), but as we know that, despite the current globalization, each market is probably very specific, we will assign you to one of our many regional partners in Europe and Latin America for a more direct and personalized service.
What kind of information does S³ need for my sourcing project?
The success of a sourcing project will depend on us receiving all necessary and detailed information regarding the product or range of products you want to outsource to Asia.
In S³, based on our experience, we have developed a specific form to request quotations ('S³ RFQ Form'), which is available to any company interested in our services and serves as a guide, to acknowledge all the necessary information to start.
Among others, you will see that we need technical specifications, blueprints, annual volumes, target prices, packing details and many other types of info, which are crucial to ensure that you get the best quote and we can serve you properly. Request your S³ RFQ Form here.
How does S³ ensure that the products you receive meet with my quality standards?
The word "quality" is probably the most important one in the sourcing process and therefore it is also key for us at S³! Based on our experience (see Experience), we have established a series of quality control procedures, which is one of the features that makes us stand out in the sourcing industry.
In cooperation with our customers, we establish a range of control parameters to be inspected by our quality technicians. Based on the results decisions about sending the goods can be made. In some cases selections or modifications need to be made by the supplier, which are reviewed again by our inspectors before shipment.
How can S³ adapt to my specific purchasing needs in China?
At S³ we understand that each company can have different needs in their sourcing activities in China (product development, purchasing commodities, factory audits, monitoring visits to suppliers...), which is why we have developed three Service Packages (Basic, Advanced and Premium) adaptable to specific customer needs.
S³: Globalization, the easy way! ®
