ERA SOURCING as business partner takes care of each process in the supply chain which are further customized to suit customer requirements; various services we provide can be classified into following heads;
We have an in house product development team which works in close contact with clients on all their new projects. Our PD team handles all new developments sent by clients, team is an interface between client and supplier they coordinate sampling and keep client posted on the progress. We also have tie-ups with a couple of high-end free-lance designers for clients who are looking to out- source designs.
Products are sourced as per client requirements and also our PD team sources and send new designs and ideas to clients on a regular basis. Our vendor matrix is deep and wide, policy is to source directly from the manufacturer who is the best fit for the customer. Our experience with several suppliers helps us source right product at right price.
It is the primary interface between client and the supplier, team comprises of a merchant and an assistant. Merchandising team takes care of each and every detail of the sourcing process starting from buying needs to dispatch of cargo. All our merchants are technically qualified and experienced.
It should have been put on the top of our service portfolio as this is where we lay maximum emphasis. Through experience we have noticed what client expects from us most is a good quality control process. As a result we have developed a system which controls quality automatically, we call it SIF process. It is explained in detail later on; process is implemented by different departments at different stages however QC team plays an important role towards its success. We have a QC team keep a constant check on production process.
Shipping department coordinates with client imports, consolidators and suppliers on cargo movement and documentation. Regular contact with consolidator ensures that cargo and documents are moving on time and unnecessary delays and costs are avoided. Client is updated on weekly basis about their cargo status. In addition shipping department trains suppliers on all logistic matters.
We have trained staff to conduct factory audits to assess production capacity and compliance. In case of Social and other regulatory compliance matters we have tie-up with reputed agencies to conduct 3rd party audits, which is acceptable to most of the retailers worldwide.
We have created a practical and fool-proof system in our company to ensure that we not only meet but exceed client expectations. It is a practical system that cuts across each department and function, its objective is to ensure compliance by anticipating and eliminating problem areas. It is categorized into three primary processes Merchandising & PD Process, SIF Process and Logistics; all these processes rely on various documents for recording and reporting purposes. Please find below a brief description of the each process, documents required are highlighted and their usage explained; kindly refer to enclose Standard Inspection File (SIF) to review documents.
Buyer visits are recapped and sent to client within a few days of visit, which is further followed-up with detailed quotes in specified quote sheets. Upon order confirmation Order status is the primary document used it contains all data related to order and is accessed by our staff for all information. Merchant updates it on real-time basis and, weekly updated copy is sent to client on every Monday. Product Development team maintains records of new developments received from clients, all details are updated in New Development Status sheet and it is used for follow-up with supplier and client updates.
Product Testing: It is incorporated in above process as per client requirement and nature of the product.
Standard Inspection File (SIF): Master file which QC uses for inspection purpose it contains following:
Products are sourced as per client requirements and also our PD team sources and send new designs and ideas to clients on a regular basis. Our vendor matrix is deep and wide, policy is to source directly from the manufacturer who is the best fit for the customer. Our experience with several suppliers helps us source right product at right price.
SIF is used as a bible by our client cell; it contains all information required by them to follow-up on order and conduct inspections. Most of the production orders are subjected to three inspections Inline/Midline and Final. SIF process is connected to the inspection process. PO copy, Quote Sheet and ASRF are the first documents that go into the file. ASRF is prepared when an item is approved and production go-ahead is given. It is the most important document and looks at the product from customer’s point of view identifying all grey areas, at this time sample is signed and given to factory along with signed ASRF. During Inline inspection PSRF is prepared QC inspects the product and looks at all points mentioned in ASRF any variations detected are either rectified or reported to client.
Midline is conducted when 15-20% merchandise is in-house, at this time LAF and PAF are prepared to close labeling and packaging. LAF has all labeling instructions and prototypes attached it is sent to buyer for approval. PAF has packaging specification and dummy packaging picture it is sent to client for approval as well. Our effort is to have these closed at least 30 days before the final inspection.
Final inspection is conducted once goods are ready to ship, however it is the easiest part of the job once above processes are performed diligently.
Vendor Information File contains details about suppliers and is sent to client for vendor set-up. Documentation Checklist is prepared at our end to facilitate compliance; it is a gist of client instructions for shipping and documentation. Cargo status report is an interface between consolidator and our shipping department. Shipment Status Report updates import department with shipment and document status.
Each document mentioned above has been drafted carefully with dual objective, one to help our staff perform their duties in an efficient and consistent manner and secondly to Update our clients with concise and clear information on timely basis.