Product Development, Quality Assurance and Sourcing

Whether you are developing a product from “scratch”, or sourcing ready-made products ‘off the shelf’, then we can help you at any, or all stages in the development / buying process.

Product Development Process

Whether you are a designer, supplier or retailer, to operate effectively and efficiently, it is important to have a clearly documented product development process. A process which details the key stages that need to be carried out and by all parties involved, as well as detailing what their deliverables are. This should also help support your legal requirement in showing Due Diligence.

Whether you have a process in place or not, then we can help you:

• We are able to review your existing process, report our findings and make recommendations.
• Map your development process and write one which suits the needs of your business and product types.

We can work with you to review and risk assess product conceptual designs at the start of the development cycle, through out the product development process, and after the product goes on sale.

Critical Path Management

As you will know, if you are to be successful in getting your product to market in time, then a product development process alone is not enough. You need to have a Critical Path which details realistic and achievable dates next to each of the key stages.
We can provide guidance on the critical path of your product development or can manage the critical path on your behalf.

Quality Assurance and Product Compliance

When developing products and obtaining quotations, we understand that it is vital to confirm the intended markets they are to be sold in, understand their legal requirements, and specify these product performance standards when briefing factories / suppliers.

We have a wealth of knowledge and can help you with:

• Setting mandatory and non-mandatory product performance requirements: i.e. British Standards (BS), European Standards (EN), and International Standards (ISO);
• Detailing product specifications, product marking, labelling and packaging requirements.
• Meeting physical and colourfastness performance standards, including your product aesthetic colour and finish requirements.

• Working with factories and test houses to get your:
  • Prototypes made and tested.
  • Products manufactured, production tested, labelled and packaged.
  • Goods inspected before shipping.
• Review of product technical files and test certification.
• Project management of product testing programs with 3rd party test houses.
• Assembly Instructions
  • Consumer Testing – Review of products and existing instructions to assess ease of assembly and legal compliance.
  • Technical content is present, in the right place and the correct size symbols with appropriate warnings.
  • Make recommendations.
  • Write and design product instructions to comply with EU Directives, in conjunction with 3rd Party artwork houses.
• Labelling Packaging
  • Ensure that the correct technical content is present, in the right place, with the correct size symbols and appropriate warnings / instructions for use.
  • Review physical / constructional performance.
  • Collation of packaging substrate weight information for submission and compliance to the Packaging Waste Directive.
• Product Branding
  • Sew-in labels and metal branding plates.

Sourcing Products, Supplier Selection and Approval

Using cheap and inexperienced factories can often lead to delays, as well as costly quality and safety issues.

We can help you find and vet suitable suppliers who can:

• Reliably manufacture your products, using approved and specified materials.
• Meet with the standards of the markets you intend to sell in, e.g. testing, product markings, labelling and packaging.
• Meet the requirements of your business’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy, (e.g. European Timber Regulation).

We can:

• Accompany a member of your business to Trade Fairs, providing technical support whilst procuring new products and meeting potential suppliers.
• Source compliant products, materials or components, including fabrics and leathers.
• Work with suppliers to ensure that they provide you with the appropriate certification and test reports, e.g. Flammability Testing.
• Obtain detailed quotations for products and packaging costs and any associated testing.
• Manage the resourcing and cross-costings of products to agreed specifications.
• Organise, carry out and manage, (with or without a member of your buying team):
  • Factory audits and evaluations.
  • Product approval / sign-off trips.
  • Product pre-shipment inspections.
  • Product reworks.
• Write business product performance standards and quality manuals which you can use with your supply base.