Ian Johnson, Quality Assurance Manager visits Bellis Technology China (BTC) – our manufacturing factory in China…

As recently appointed Quality Assurance Manager this was my first visit to BTC. The trip gave me the perfect opportunity to get a better understanding of the factory, its employees, the quality processes in place and our working relationship.  

My outward journey to China was eventful. My first stop was Beijing International Transfers, but when I arrived I found an empty desk and no airport staff in sight.  About an hour later someone eventually arrived to sort out my onward ticket to Hong Kong from where I boarded the very busy ferry to China. When I arrived at immigration in China, well, let’s just say, that’s another story.

I finally arrived in China I was greeted with torrential rain, thunder and lightning, flooding, over 30 degrees and close to 100% humidity. Not quite the sunshine I was expecting! The umbrellas attached to the bicycles that were on mass on the roads were obviously dual purpose for both the sun and rain. 

The purpose of my visit to our manufacturing factory in China was to get to know BTC and the people, get a better understanding of the quality processes, what BTC do for us, review what ITL provide as information to BTC and how we can improve our work together.  When I arrived at the factory I was given a tour which was very informative. The factory was very impressive, having recently extended our factory space the new section was pristine, waiting for new robotic machinery to be installed. Overall, I spent about two days of my time in China visiting the factory, 'walking the process' from ‘Goods Receiving to Dispatch’, testing procedures, looking at the possibility of ‘smarter manufacturing’ and looking at the overall quality processes in place.

The remaining two and a half days were spent on the road, visiting some of our suppliers to see how we can exchange more information and enhance quality assurance in the future to help reduce waste and ensure defect free parts.  Whilst out for dinner one evening I ordered what I now fondly refer to as the ‘smiling’ chicken – the full chicken complete with head was a sight I won’t forget in a hurry!

My journey back to the UK was just as eventful as my outward journey. I had to sign a ‘Release of Indemnity’ form when my flight was delayed for over 4 hours which essentially means that under Chinese Law any flight delay by air traffic control is not the fault of the airline. Luckily my connection was also delayed by 5 hours too so it all worked out in the end!

I enjoyed my visit to BTC and look forward to putting our ideas and quality processes in place.