Issues related to product quality can also be traced to process problems. The way a company handles its loading and storage processes, in particular, can either make or mar its quality initiatives. Certain aspects of material handling undoubtedly relate to quality, such as preventing product damage. However, quality extends beyond that obvious example to all aspects of the business process. Simply put, a process is a sequence of activities of the accomplishment of a certain work. Quality can be thought of as the degree to which a particular process does what is expected to do (or not do).
It is expected of a material or product handling process to deliver (finally to the customer) the right item, packed based on requirements, undamaged, properly labeled and documented, and at the right time. This is important for customer satisfaction and prevention of loss. Failure to deliver as expected will have the customers dissatisfied. Also, it will often require some cost to make it right while also risking the loss of future business. Even detecting the problem before it gets to the customer still involve some costs for correction.
Some of the problems that may arise from loading and storage process include the following.

• A trailer might be loaded and ready to go; however, the bill of lading isn’t ready yet.
• A leaking roof above the loading area of the plantation, which can result in wet boxes and moldy products.
• Rodents habitating the storage area can lead to holes and tears in the boxes and unprotected broken products.
• The wrong product might be detected at an inventory location with no clue on the location of the right product.
• An “extra” load may be discovered on the dock after loading a trailer even when records have indicated that the product has already loaded.

These problems are process quality issues and are detrimental to business. Imagine the problems your business may likely face if any of these problems occurred. In the process of correcting them, your attention is diverted from your usual work. However, if the problem is ignored, it might create a bigger problem eventually. For instance, if an “extra” load is discovered and the trailer was shipped, the owner of the load might complain which will trigger extra shipping cost or payment delay as the order did not get completed. Ultimately, the consequences of process quality issues might range from financial impacts to an eventual lost business.
To prevent this, understand output requirements for the overall process and also each step in the process; be focused on the prevention of problems, and then ensure that each process step assures the correction and completion of output.
There are two ways to deal with these situations using the services of a third party inspections company. One of  them which Is the  least favorable, is to inspect the products’ packing and loading process in the plant. Although it sounds like a good option, it only detects possible problems regarding a specific shipment, and sometimes it might be after a big batch of products have been packed in a bad manner.
The better option though, Is to preform a factory audit, before starting to work with a specific supplier. Checking it’s packing, storing, and loading processes in advance will ensure you know the regular working methods of the plantation and that the supplier is not trying to tempt you to order more by doing a good job only in the first time you work together.

Would you take up this opportunity in prevention rather than correction?
www.coze.tech for factory audits and inspections