What We’ve Learned About Quality Management Systems

When you’re engaged with supplying bearings to companies who have put their confidence in your product’s reliability, there is a lot of weight on your shoulders. These companies have essentially put their brand reputation on the line by trusting that our bearings will do what they are supposed to do. That’s a responsibility that we do not take lightly. No matter what product you manufacture, neither should you. So how are we so confident in the products we supply and how do we instill that same confidence in our customers? Three simple words: Quality Management Systems.

Any product that is manufactured in high volumes runs the risk of  having a non-conforming item somewhere in the batch. It’s inevitable. But faulty products are not acceptable. Over the past 28 years, we have built a reputation for supplying high-quality bearings that are built to last. In the process, this is what we have learned about Quality Management Systems.

• They Create Loyal Customers

Customers expect a high quality product. No one buys a product with the expectation that the product will fail to meet their needs. Quality Management Systems help companies catch the faulty products before they ever find their way to the customer. In the long run, this translates into more loyal customers.

When customers know that they can rely on your company, they start to build trust in your brand. If your product comes through for your customer when they need it to, that’s a point in the bucket for your brand. Over time, those points add up and before you know it, you’ve created a strong relationship with a loyal customer.

The value of loyal customers cannot be overstated. It costs your brand much less to retain a customer than to gain a new customer. Quality Management Systems keep your customers coming back because they know they can rely on a quality product.

• They Increase Efficiency & Lower Costs

No matter the type, systems and processes are built with one goal in mind; to increase efficiency and to streamline workflows. Quality Management Systems are no different. When you put the time and effort into creating a product, you want it to be right the first time. It will only cost you in the long term if you rush to produce your product without paying attention to the small details.

Yes, these systems take time to put into place but once they are up and running they will save you time and money. You won’t have to worry about replacing faulty products or losing top paying clients due to unreliable product.

• They Back Up Your Brand Promise

Having Quality Management Systems in place help you to deliver your brand promise to your customer. However, if you want to take it one step further, recognition can amplify the priority you place on those systems and validate them to the customer.

Manufacturers have systems in place to monitor production and the quality of their products.  We also have systems in place to monitor the quality and consistency of our processes and services.

VNC has maintained our certification to ISO standards since 2001, for our own Quality Management System. This means that we have proven our ability to consistently meet both customer requirements as well as regulatory requirements.  It also means that we utilize our Quality Management System to enhance Customer Satisfaction and are continually looking for ways to improve our system.

Certifications are important for a few reasons. One, they prove that outside parties have examined your Quality Management System(s) and have found them acceptable for the standards deemed important by regulatory organizations. Secondly, certifications show your customers that you prioritize quality work and have taken the time to ensure the processes in place are truly for their benefit.

We supply high-quality bearings and believe that quality is important for any product. We enhance this by backing it up with unsurpassed Customer Service. If you have questions about our Quality Management System or would like ideas on how you can enhance the quality of your own product through the use of VNC Bearing, call us today at 800-862-3211!

Quality Control – Common Tests All Bearings Should Undergo

If your device spins, more than likely it contains a ball bearing. The engineering of these spinning contraptions are at the base of what makes your wheels work, and what gives daily applications such as skateboards and hard drives the will to pull, turn, and push. The diverse functionality of bearings makes it all the more important to test your bearings for quality before putting them into applications. We are looking at quality control, and common tests that all bearings should undergo.

Testing Your Bearings
While bearings that have been damaged, broken, or worn do not always reveal themselves, it is better to be safe than sorry. Use your applications responsibly by testing the quality of your bearings with these easy tests.

Do A Visual Inspection
It is always a good idea to do a visual inspection of your ball bearings if you are in a position to do so. Checking for visual defects can help you repair, or know when to replace your bearings. Often times the root cause of a damaged or failing bearing is due to damaged seals. Once damaged, the seals allow moisture and dirt to enter and wear away the bearing. Some things to look and listen for when inspecting a bearing include:

1. Strange or unnatural noises
2. Discoloration
3. Flaking Along The Rolling Elements
4. Rust
5. Cracks
6. The Roller Bearing Does Not Spin Smoothly
7. There Are Foreign Objects Or Dirt In The Bearing

The Rocking Test
The rocking test is where the wheel bearing will be checked for quality by applying pressure to the top and bottom of the wheel. This creates a rocking motion on the wheel. If there is any open ended free play happening, this means the bearing is unstable and must be replaced.

At VNC we know all there is to know about bearings, and how to keep them spinning. Visit us online or call for a quote today at 800.862.3211