TESTING EXCELLE
FPS ’ s commitment to delivering value and quality continues to grow with the expansion of which is succinctly named , “ The Lab ”.
It started in a small room equipped with a test machine to examine the quality of air mass sensors , three years ago . Today , with the technical team at FPS , that small room has since grown into a 52m ² purposebuilt , quality control test lab .
Located in the Grange Mill Road Warehouse at Sheffield , The Lab is at the epicentre of all arrivals at FPS . The facility scrutinises the incoming products before FPS releases them to the market . The Lab is also where FPS detects the core of a problem if products do not meet necessary warranty , legislative and quality standards required from all suppliers .
CONTROLLING QUALITY CONTROL
When examining the quality of certain engine components where high voltage is involved , safety is paramount . Close attention is paid to every constructive detail of the lab to facilitate safety in the quality control processes .
Polycarbonate enclosures to ensure safety during high voltage tests
From bespoke work benches to accommodate testing equipment for parts such as air mass sensors and fuel pumps , to a safety interlocked , polycarbonate enclosure for ignition coil testing ; every avenue of safety is considered to promote occupational safety while ensuring products are safe for the market .
Test rig for air mass sensors
“ FPS invests significantly into quality management as it is a prime focus of the business . It is critical for us to ensure that our customers and end users are protected against poor quality products entering the market . Outside of ‘ The Lab ’, FPS has also invested in 6 full-time heads covering quality management and technical pre- and post-purchase support , to demonstrate to our customers and suppliers that we have a level of technical expertise . From factory quality audits through to pre-sale testing in the UK and warranty testing , FPS is fully committed to leading industry best practices in this area ,” explained Ben Hilton , Marketing Director of FPS in reference to the significance of The Lab .
EFFICIENT RESOLUTION
The Lab resolves warranty issues by performing stringent tests in a clean , organised and temperature controlled ( 20 ° C ) environment to ensure consistent testing at all times . This standard has allowed The Lab to provide suppliers with clear-cut diagnostic evidence of any product defects and improve the efficient resolution of warranty claims .
All incoming products are tested against OE master samples from car manufacturers that are carefully curated at the facility . The team also inspect all products against technical drawings from suppliers to make sure that the products sold by FPS are within standards set by the industry .
The Lab can unpack , examine and repack :
150
AIR MASS SENSORS A DAY
10 PALLETS OF BRAKE PADS PER HOUR
4 QUALITY CONTROL VITAL NEWS ISSUE 44