Global Outsourcing Services

In addition to our consultancy and training services, Handley-Walker Services Ltd (HWS) offers a service to businesses in the UK and elsewhere to outsource manufacture to countries where costs are lower.

An example of outsourcing is Dyson vacuum cleaners, which moved production of their cleaners to Malaysia while keeping their design, development, marketing, purchasing, logistics and service activities in the UK. As a result of this move their costs are significantly reduced, the business is growing and they employ more non-manufacturing people in the UK than before. Dyson is not a client of HWS.

HWS has a network of contacts with established manufacturers in many countries who can offer good quality products, reliability of supply and excellent service. Many of these manufacturers are supplying components to leading automotive manufacturers such as GM, Ford, Jaguar, Land-Rover, Toyota, Honda and Fiat.

As a result of these relationships, HWS is able to offer clients a service to obtain supplies of

• plastic injection mouldings assemblies such as lamps

• electronic components and assemblies
  
• wiring looms
  
• metal castings, forgings and pressings
  
• machined parts in aluminium and other metals
  
• electric motors
  
• hydraulic pumps and components and
  
• fabrics and a wide range of garments

We can identify sources of good-quality tooling as well.

In addition to identifying sources of these items at lower prices than is usually obtainable in the UK, Western Europe or North America, HWS will:

• assist in the selection of the most suitable supplier considering cost, capability, quality and reliability of supply

• facilitate visits to suppliers, obtaining samples and providing documentation and,

• facilitate the relationship between the customer and the supplier all the way through to a contract, initial supply and beyond.

Our sources of supply are located in Brazil, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, India, Malaysia Thailand and China.

In order to survive and prosper UK and other Western companies need to make full use of lower-cost suppliers overseas as long as quality and reliability of supply are maintained. However, not all parts are suitable for outsourcing and HWS is able to undertake feasibility studies to establish whether it is appropriate to outsource particular items.
In general, it makes sense to look at outsourcing larger volume business with long runs where the length of the supply chain is less important. However, product can usually be delivered from Eastern Europe in 48 hours if required.

In general, it will make sense for smaller runs, specials and quick-response items to continue to be manufactured and assembled in the in the UK especially if a higher price can be obtained for those products. These specials may use components from low-cost sources.

It is essential to make sure that quality is maintained and our sources are generally certified to ISO9001:2000 as a minimum standard. Some have QS9000 or TS16949 certification and some have other approvals including approvals from leading manufacturers.

Reliability of supply and service response is also important. In most countries HWS has relationships with local agents who can assist in sorting out issues including visiting the suppliers. This includes a major team based near Shanghai in China.

We generally recommend that the customer visits the supplier before finalising the contract.

We are able to undertake research to identify suitable sources of supply.
This is often useful in countries such as China.