FROM REJECTION TO ACCEPTANCE: STREAMLINING QC FOR A MAJOR RETAIL PARTNER

Client: Solidwood Furnishings, a mid-sized manufacturer supplying a global retail giant.

The Challenge: Solidwood was consistently facing 20-30% rejection rates on their container shipments to the retailer due to minor packaging and cosmetic flaws. These rejections led to massive chargebacks, strained the relationship, and threatened their multi-million dollar contract.

Hawood's Solution: We implemented a "Quality at Source" program tailored to the retailer's exacting standards.

Alignment & Training: We obtained the retailer's detailed QC manual and trained Solidwood's production line leaders and quality staff on the specific, often nitpicky, requirements.

In-Process QC Integration: We stationed a Hawood inspector on-site during peak production runs to conduct real-time checks and correct issues as they occurred, rather than at the end.

Pre-Shipment Mock Audit: Before the retailer's own third-party inspector arrived, we conducted a full mock audit using the same sampling plan and checklist, ensuring a "clean" bill of health.

The Result:

Rejection rates plummeted from 30% to under 3% within four months.

Eliminated $75,000 in annual chargebacks.

Solidwood became a preferred supplier for the retailer, receiving larger and more frequent orders.

Client Testimonial: "Hawood spoke the language of our big-box partner. They turned our quality control from a defensive cost into a competitive advantage." - VP of Sales, Solidwood Furnishings