1. 10 Reasons To Visit A Supplier 1.Build relationship – make it personal. 2.Compare plant operations /capabilities to proposal 3.Root cause analysis to a problem. 4.Benchmark suppliers against each other. 5.Ensure no violations (child labor, etc.). 6.Industry intelligence gathering. 7.Should-cost data gathering opportunity. 8.Identify best practices. 9.ID cost reductions. Opportunity. 10.Instill perception customer is observing operations and cares about performance.

2. 10 Things to Observe In A Plant Tour 1.Process flow – Entire operational process, receipt of goods, final product. 2.Safety & housekeeping/facilities. 3.Posted performance metrics/goals/mission statement. 4.Employee demographics/profile/morale. 5.Six Sigma Process/Application of Lean & Kanban. 6.Technology roadmap/use of new technology/automation. 7.Waste/Inventory bottlenecks/Lead times within stations. 8.Age of equipment/facilities. 9.Capacity utilization/customer base as percent of production. 10.Visual aids to workers.

3. What Questions to Ask On A Plant Tour 1.Annual revenue by segment and by customer? 2.AA% of total revenue? 3.Capacity (shifts/number of days)? 4.Utilization rates? 5.New product lines coming on stream? 6.Union/non-union? 7.Who’s working on AA? (see line of production for AA)? 8.Measurement systems? 9.Manufacturing process? 10.Where is the productivity improvement plan? (Six Sigma/Lean) 11.Can we talk to the business managers/stakeholders? (Not just sales)? 12. Plans for facility upgrade? 13.M/WBE sourcing plan and metrics? 14.Observe/make mental notes on facility cleanliness, safety? 15.Any work we can supply you? 16.Safety documentation? 17.Engineering department visit? 18.Business Plan? 19.Contingency Plan? 20.Visit supply chain department? 21.How do you measure suppliers? 22.What technology is used? 23.Who are your suppliers? 24.What is your turn over rate with employees?