Global supplier development.
An overseas source is worth the risk only if it passes first article and holds the drawing. We identify capable suppliers, align them to your drawings and specifications, qualify them through prototype and first article test, and move volume under agreement.
- 7countries with suppliers developed: Taiwan, China, India, Portugal, Brazil, UK, Germany
- 3countries with prototype development and first article test (FAT): China, India, Taiwan
- 6countries with LTAs and inventory stocking agreements established
From our founder’s operating roles. Not client results.
Why global supplier development fails.
Overseas sources rarely fail on price. They fail on four things that should have been checked before the first order.
Capability assumed, not verified
A quote and a website are not a process audit. Gaps in equipment, process control, inspection, or sub-tier sources show up at first article.
Drawings read differently
Imperial and metric conversions, AMS, ASTM, and DIN material equivalents, and unstated finish requirements produce parts that meet the print as read, not as intended.
Export and contract limits found late
ITAR-controlled technical data and FAR/DFARS or BAA clauses can rule out a country after the work has started.
Volume without agreement
A qualified supplier with no long-term or stocking agreement still quotes long lead times and moving prices.
Our global supplier development and qualification steps.
Every new source goes through the same gates, in order. A supplier does not see a controlled drawing until the compliance check is done.
- Screening
- Capability, capacity, certifications, and export eligibility checked before any drawing is shared
- Compliance
- ITAR, FAR/DFARS, and BAA clauses reviewed against the part and the country
- Process audit
- Equipment, process control, inspection capability, and sub-tier sources reviewed on site or remotely
- Drawing alignment
- Imperial and metric drawings, AMS, ASTM, and DIN material equivalents, and special process callouts confirmed in writing
- Prototype
- Prototype parts built and checked before production tooling or a volume commitment
- First article
- First article inspection with full dimensional, material, and special process verification, in AS9102 or PPAP format where your customer requires it, plus first article test (FAT) where functional testing is required
- Agreements
- Long-term agreements and inventory stocking agreements sized to the demand plan
- Landed cost
- Unit price compared with freight, duty, Incoterms, transit time, and inventory carrying cost
How it works.
Identify
Screen candidate suppliers by capability, certifications, and export eligibility, and confirm contract limits with an ITAR and FAR/DFARS flow-down review.
You receive: Shortlist with a compliance check per part
Align
Walk the supplier through the drawing, specifications, special processes, and inspection plan before quoting.
You receive: Confirmed drawing and specification package
Qualify
Run prototype builds and first article test, close findings, and approve the supplier for the part.
You receive: First article report and approval record
Scale
Move volume under long-term and stocking agreements, then bring the supplier into your regular performance reviews.
You receive: Signed agreements and a performance baseline
From operating experience.
- Suppliers developed in Taiwan, China, India, Portugal, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
- Prototype development and first article test (FAT) qualifications with suppliers in China, India, and Taiwan.
- LTAs and inventory stocking agreements with suppliers in China, India, Portugal, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Germany, established to shorten lead times and secure pricing.
Our founder delivered these results while running supply chain organizations between 2017 and 2026. They are operator results, not client results. See all results
What you receive.
- Supplier shortlist by region and commodity
- Capability and process audit reports
- Drawing and specification alignment record, imperial and metric
- Prototype and first article test plan and results
- Landed cost comparison with current sources
- Long-term agreement and inventory stocking agreement terms
Standards, contracts, and systems our founder has worked within
- China
- India
- Taiwan
- Portugal
- Brazil
- UK
- Germany
- First article test (FAT)
- ITAR
- AS9100
Global supplier development questions.
Can overseas suppliers make parts for defense programs?
Some can. ITAR-controlled technical data cannot go to a foreign supplier without export authorization, and DFARS and BAA clauses can limit where material and parts come from. We check the flow-downs for each part before it is quoted overseas.
What is the difference between prototype development and first article?
A prototype proves the supplier can make the part and brings drawing questions out early. First article verifies the first production part against every drawing and specification requirement before volume ships.
Is offshore sourcing always cheaper?
No. Compare landed cost: unit price plus freight, duty, longer transit, extra safety stock, and the cost of quality escapes. Sometimes a domestic supplier wins.
How do you manage a supplier in another time zone?
With a written drawing and specification package, a clear inspection plan, a set communication schedule, and regular performance reviews. Inventory stocking agreements cover the transit time.
Which regions have you worked in?
Our founder has developed suppliers in Taiwan, China, India, Portugal, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Germany, as well as with U.S. suppliers.
Start with a 30‑minute conversation.
Describe what you buy and where the problem is. We reply to every message directly.