The Quality Assurance Management at Suboeno SA.  
Suboeno is certified ISO 9001 since the 16th of May 2006 (BVQI)
     
   
  The cork involves great responsibilities for a very low price.
   
 

The cork represents a tiny part of the product value. Its basic material is a natural heterogeneous product that can hardly be standardised. A given quality is composed of several samples that vary quality wise, and where it is necessary to set limits.

The task consists of mastering this natural material and ensuring that all deliveries are performed with a quality corresponding to the customer requirements. 		 
 
 
 
The quality criteria are without compromise.

At Suboeno, it is the technical service who specified the criteria for each quality of cork sold. The spirit which motivates the Suboeno group, can be summarised as: "We act like industrialists, but we keep our artisan spirit".

When the decision to computerise the quality management was made, the following steps were taken :


Assessment of internal standards prior to management computerisation.

We have compiled the results and the decisions of our Quality Control department over the years according to the tests and methods developed. We have then built up of a mathematical model containing the control methods and criteria.

Prior to the introduction of a Quality Control software, as best as can be, we wanted to crystallise the basic decision criteria and the know-how of the cork quality experts into the system.

We therefore developed a quality management model by first capturing all historical quality control data over a year for different cork qualities, with the quality decisions taken for each batch.

We then developed a formula in order to calculate the quality index for given qualities. Fixing a maximum allowable percentage for adjacent qualities, the check of quality homogeneity was performed and this was then incorporated into the model.

Once the developed model was perfectly matching the decisions of the Quality inspectors, (e.g. downgrading for quality level not sufficient, or dispersion of adjacent qualities too important), we compared the newly created Suboeno quality standards with available recommended cork standards: the internal Suboeno standard for incoming inspection and final inspection are higher in quality compared to the standards of Cork Manufacturers Association.

  
 
 
               
      Computerised plans.
The computerised plans truly reflect the strict inspection criteria defined in the model.
Model plans, per product type and per quality, with all controlled characteristics are defined together with:
  • The quality index with its tolerances per given quality,
  • The allowed levels (min & max) of adjacent qualities,
  • The potential defects per characteristic inspected,
  • Their gravity factor (10-100 % for ABC analysis) ready to treat the nonconformity cases


    • The complete chain of tasks is performed for :

  • The quality index calculation (blend),
  • The result of inspection (The inspector can overrule),
  • The ABC Supplier (or production) evaluation,
  • The detailed inspection order history.

    • The inspection rules are an integral part of the Quality System. All deviations or quality deficiencies are automatically identified and sanctioned, thus avoiding variations in judgement which can occur between different inspectors.    		    
                   
     
     
     
    We take care of the customer product specifications.

    The developed model integrated in the software enables us to match each customer's specifications. Your specific requirements that could differ from our internal model can be directly incorporated into your quality plan. Your defined quality criteria will then be automatically applied on receipt of your order. If any defects occur, they would be detected and appropriate measures applied.

    		  
     
    		 
    The Suboeno Quality Assurance department is at your service.
         
       
      Audits and arbitration of cases.
       
    		Suboeno is often asked to carry out-processing analysis at customer's premises, to prevent or analyse defects or even to solve disputes.

    We have qualified oenologists with a solid background in wine production and Quality Control. Our technical material helps to analyse defects that can occur at all phases of bottling, stopping, storing and shipping.

    We analyse the problems and produce a well-documented report with photographs to show the cause of the defect. Our conclusions related to the causes and actions needed, give independent advice aimed at cost reduction.    		  
    Certificat