Purchasing Policy
It is Sapona's intent to purchase the highest quality materials at a reasonable price and to establish good working relationships with capable suppliers. Sapona has written specifications and procedures to ensure that purchased product conforms to specifications and key suppliers are capable of meeting the requirements.
Specifications
All quality specifications for key materials are documented and communicated between Sapona and the supplier. Specifications, certifications, and test data for materials are maintained by the Quality Supervisor.
Supplier selection and evaluation
The Purchasing Manager is responsible for initiating selection and evaluation of new suppliers of key materials other than yarn. The Product Manager is responsible for initiating supplier selection, evaluation and purchasing of yarn. Preference is given to ISO9000 registered suppliers. Selection is based on ability to meet requirements, annual performance ratings, and applicable survey results. Key suppliers' performance is evaluated annually. The Purchasing Manager keeps a log of key supplier quality, delivery and service complaints. Shipping services are also rated on their delivery performance. The Purchasing Manager maintains a database of key material suppliers, orders, and performance evaluation status.
Purchase orders
Written purchase orders are required for all purchases, other than utilities. Purchase orders clearly describe the product ordered in appropriate detail. Procedures define specifically what data is required to be on the purchase order and communicated to the supplier. All purchase orders are reviewed and approved for adequacy before an order is placed or amended. Purchase orders are conveyed completely and clearly to the supplier verbally unless otherwise specified, or requested by the supplier. Sapona provides appropriate planning information and purchase commitments to certain key suppliers to enable 100% on time delivery.
Control
The control exercised over suppliers depends on the type of product and it's impact on the quality of our final product. The results of supplier evaluations and records of performance are also used to determine the extent of incoming inspection of key materials.
Key materials are defined as items that go into the end product, such as yarn, oil, tubes, cones, packaging and dyeing. Yarn is controlled to the merge. Merges are kept separate. New product codes, lot numbers and necessary specifications are generated for each merge. Yarn suppliers are required to use first in/first out inventory control and consecutively number shipment cases.
Key suppliers are requested to provide notification of significant changes in their process. They are also requested to maintain a system of product identification and traceability that allows tracing of production and raw material problems. Key suppliers must inspect the quality of product and/or processes prior to shipment to ensure that they meet specifications. Key suppliers must clearly identify off-grade, seconds, or out of date material as such, and supply such material only if requested on the purchase order. Sapona encourages key suppliers to have a documented Quality System in compliance with ISO-9000.
Purchase of other products and services such as capital equipment, calibration and maintenance, are controlled to ensure that we can depend on the results to satisfy production requirements.
All suppliers are required to abide by all governmental and safety constraints on restricted, toxic and hazardous substances. All materials used in manufacturing satisfy all governmental, environmental and safety constraints on restricted, toxic and hazardous materials.
Verification of purchased product
Sapona does not intend to verify purchased product at the supplier's premises. However, Sapona does purchase some key materials from customers, to process and resale to the customer. Our customers may request the right to verify materials' conformance to specification at the supplier's or their own premises. Such verification shall not be used as evidence of effective control of quality by the supplier and shall not absolve Sapona of responsibility to provide acceptable product, or preclude rejection by the customer.
For more info contact Henry Needham, Purchasing Manager