Experience is key to component supply

Blue Diamond reckons it is not just a component supplier; its qualified engineers will use their skills and experience to advise customers on the design and specification of their components.

Most buyers are aware of the opportunities to reduce costs by sourcing components from outside the UK, but many have concerns about reliability of supply, product quality, production scheduling, documentation and communications.

Import procedures can also be a time consuming and worrying task for the hard pressed buyer.

Although increasing demand has resulted in the growth of companies that can take care of the organisation and documentation associated with the supply of these components, there are not many that can boast they have been successfully doing so for over 30 years.

Southampton based Blue Diamond, is one such company and when you look at what sets it apart from other suppliers it is easy to see the difference.

Blue Diamond reckons it is not just a component supplier; its qualified engineers will use their skills and experience to advise customers on the design and specification of their components.

Often, it is possible to reduce costs without affecting the operation or working life of the finished product.

Material specifications may be changed and sometimes the number of components can be reduced or some eliminated altogether.

Alternative methods of fixing such as riveting or bonding may be explored and there are often benefits where components are supplied as subassemblies or kits of parts.

When an order for components is received, Blue Diamond individually tailors its involvement to suit the needs of the customer.

This may include origination of engineering drawings, selection of suitable materials and setting appropriate manufacturing and quality standards.

Blue Diamond has a sophisticated stock management procedure and will store products at its extensive warehousing facility until they are required.

Kanban and JIT deliveries can be arranged if requested.

The component sourcing service has been so successful that it has been recently expanded to cover a much wider range of products.

Blue Diamond can now supply pressed, turned and cast metal parts, bearings, all types of plastic mouldings and any assemblies that are riveted, screwed, clipped, glued or pressed together.

Components and assemblies have many applications in the manufacture of industrial machinery, commercial and domestic products.

One example of where the engineers at Blue Diamond have been able to improve and cost reduce a product is in the area of subassemblies.

With high UK labour costs it makes sense to not only source components but also to have assembly work completed outside the UK.

With such a large and experienced engineering resource many customers approach Blue Diamond with problems that they have been unable to solve themselves.

With the pressure on manufacturers to bring new product designs to market as quickly as possible, it is often worthwhile involving a company that can look at a problem from a different perspective.

Once a solution is agreed, Blue Diamond will source the components ensuring that they are delivered in the right material, to the right specification, at the right time.

The volume of orders being processed means that consignments can be consolidated minimising costs and providing further savings for the customer.

Stringent quality inspection procedures based on the latest three-axis CNC video inspection system, ensures quality and consistency.

Buyers that are concerned at the cost of any special tooling will be interested to know that the engineers at Blue Diamond can also organise the manufacture of high quality tooling at a fraction of the UK cost.

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