Supplier-Quality-Manual PDF Coredownload Inline
Supplier-Quality-Manual PDF Coredownload Inline
“The quality of our products and services reflects our power and heritage.
We are determined to serve our customers through innovation, continuous improvement, an intense focus on
customer needs and dedication”
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Vestas Wind Systems A/S and its group of companies (“Vestas”) and Supplier are hereinafter also referred to
individually as a ‘Party’ and collectively as the ‘Parties’
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Table of Contents
1. SCOPE .................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
5 SUB-SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT........................................................................................................................................... 14
7 TRACEABILITY .................................................................................................................................................................... 14
8 CHANGE MANAGEMENT.................................................................................................................................................... 15
16 GLOSSARY.......................................................................................................................................................................... 21
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Preface
Vestas´ mission is to deliver best-in-class wind energy solutions and set the pace in our industry to the benefit of
our customers and our planet. We set ambitious targets, and suppliers to Vestas have a key role in ensuring that
we achieve our goals. Along with a strong focus on safety and sustainability, it is crucial that quality is built into
our entire value chain and always prioritized to prevent any compromise on performance or reliability.
As a supplier to Vestas, you are perceived as a capable and reliable partner and are accountable for delivering a
specified level of quality that supports high product performance at the lowest possible cost throughout the
entire product life cycle. You must be passionate about the product and/or service that you provide and
relentlessly strive for continuous improvement towards excellence to achieve our common objective of
sustainable and profitable growth.
You are requested to incorporate the practices laid forth in this manual into your internal procedures wherever
a gap may exist today. Strict enforcement of the requirements included in this manual is a mandatory condition
of the relationship between Vestas and its suppliers.
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1. Scope
The purpose of this manual is to define a common framework of quality requirements and necessary practices
which must be in place to ensure a successful and professional relationship between Vestas and its suppliers.
The requirements of this manual apply to all suppliers belonging to direct and indirect scopes of supply used
in the development, production, installation and maintenance of Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs) or other
sustainable energy solutions.
Direct scope of supply includes suppliers providing materials / products and services used in serial production
of wind turbines.
Indirect scope of supply includes suppliers providing crane Service, installation and maintenance, balance of
plant, Service and transport and tools.
By acting as a supplier of products or services to Vestas, you acknowledge that you have read, understood,
and accepted all requirements of this manual. Moreover, you accept that it is your responsibility as a supplier
to notify Vestas of any suspected area of non-compliance with these requirements as early as possible, e.g.
prior to giving a quotation, during supplier qualification, or prior to shipment of any products and services
affected by this non-compliance. This notice must be provided to the responsible Vestas Supplier Quality
Engineer (SQE) or Supplier Account Manager (SAM) in writing, and its receipt must be confirmed by Vestas to
be considered as sufficient notice.
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2. Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental Management Requirements
Upon request, the supplier must furnish Vestas with a controlled copy of the supplier’s Quality Manual and
make supporting procedures accessible for review / auditing.
• Ensure that employees receive the necessary training and instruction to be able to perform the work
in a safe way. For Indirect scope of supply all suppliers should comply with Vestas’ global minimum
contractor/subcontractor HSE requirements to perform work on site. The global minimum
contractor/subcontractor HSE requirements to be requested from your Vestas sourcing responsible.
• Comply with the most recent revision of the Vestas Prohibited and Restricted Substance document.
2.3. Certifications
Suppliers must comply with the relevant certification schemes (for example IEC RE, UL, CSA,) as per the scope
of the project. If it is not defined, they must follow Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and the
Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery and later amendments thereto.
Long-term solutions and any claims will be handled via the measures described in “11. Quality Complaints and
Non-Conformities (NCs)”
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3. Supplier Qualification Requirements
This section describes Vestas’ requirements for a company for direct and / or indirect scope of supply to be
qualified as a Vestas supplier, which will enable a commercial relationship between the two Parties. All
suppliers for direct or indirect products and services need to be approved before product qualification and
supply can start. Equally, individual approval is required for each supplier manufacturing site.
Vestas uses the SAP Ariba Platform for digital management and execution of the complete supplier
qualification process, which consists of four consecutive phases to verify if supplier’s organizational maturity
corresponds to Vestas’ requirements.
See the process flow for qualification for both indirect and direct scope of supply below.
1. Supplier Registration
2. Compliance check – GAN assessment*
3. Self-Assessment: Supplier self-evaluation as per Vestas’ defined questionnaire. Vestas’ cross-
functional assessment team will review the self-assessment results and decide the additional steps.
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4. On-site Assessment: Vestas evaluation at supplier premises by cross-functional assessment team.
The scope of the questionnaire is adapted to planned supplier segmentation and characteristics of
the intended business.
* Compliance Assessment: All suppliers undergo a third-party due-diligence screening covering
business ethics and sanctions. Depending on the level of risk identified, the screening may consist of
an internal questionnaire to be completed by the Vestas requestor and an external questionnaire to
be completed by the supplier. If the screening identifies any compliance issues, Vestas’ compliance
department (Compliance) together with the requestor develops mitigating actions to lower Vestas’
risk exposure. However, if the supplier is from an embargoed country, the supplier will be rejected at
this stage. If the supplier is subject to targeted sanctions, Vestas´ Compliance department consults
with relevant legal and compliance subject matter experts to determine if Vestas can engage with the
supplier.
Supplier assessments are required for each manufacturing location prior to start of production. Before start
of business, Vestas needs to approve each manufacturing location via a written Supplier Approval Notification.
Supplier approval is obtained when the assessment process is successfully passed, involving the overall and
individual score for the assessed areas satisfying approval threshold. If sufficient maturity is not
demonstrated, the supplier will be rejected or required to solve identified gaps prior to scheduling the next
assessment
Suppliers for indirect scope of supply are qualified based on the criteria below. The assessment score is
combined with safety and compliance indicators and this score will result in a low, medium, or high-risk score.
A supplier cannot obtain final approval before medium and high risks are addressed and reduced to
satisfactory low level.
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• TRIR (Total Recordable Injury Rate): ratio of the accident rate in the last year
o Calculation Formula: Total Number of Recordable Cases x 1.000.000 hours / total hours
worked by all employees during the year covered. TRIR is calculated on corporate level
o Recordable cases shall include fatalities, lost time injuries (LTI), restricted work injuries (RWI)
and medical treatment injuries (MTI).
• Number of fatalities: number of fatal accidents that have occurred in the last three years.
• Country Risk Level by Maplecroft™: fixed and annual global risk index that evaluates political, human
rights and environmental risk per country.
3.4 Re-assessments
Re-assessment can be triggered by the following:
• Development programmes
• Performance reviews
• Supplier business reviews
• Risks identified during audits, annual corporate risk assessments and projects
• Significant changes taking place at supplier since first approval
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The quality planning activities are to be conducted according to the APQP4Wind manual. The required
APQP4Wind deliverables are to be agreed during the kick-off meeting between the Vestas Supplier Quality &
Development (SQD) representative and the supplier.
The supplier shall establish appropriate product quality planning activities as part of their overall project plan.
In addition to APQP4Wind requirements, Vestas’ APQP activities are extended to include the following:
• Quality requirements specified in Request for Quotation (RFQ)
• Capacity evaluation
• VDA 6.3 audit or an equivalent process audit accepted by Vestas
• Product-specific requirements specified by Vestas.
APQP reviews are formal meetings where Vestas reviews the supplier’s APQP milestone readiness. During this
meeting, Vestas and the supplier jointly confirm that the project is on track with respect to milestone
deadlines and results. In a case where the project is not on track, an escalation process will take place.
In additionSUPPLIERS
to APQP4WIND work book additional
ARE RESPONSIBLE APQP tracking
FOR DEVELOPING tool fromAPQP
AND DRIVING VestasFOR
canALL used .
be COMPONENTS
DELIVERED TO VESTAS IF OTHER CONDITIONS ARE NOT AGREED WITH VESTAS.
The illustration below demonstrates the relationship between APQP4Wind and Vestas' Product development
model.
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4.2 Capacity evaluation
Capacity assessments will be conducted based on Vestas’ request to validate for weekly peak demand or
annual demand. The Capacity validation must be based on actual process cycle times, OEE, and other relevant
capacity parameters and can be performed both for new product introduction and for running products.
Capacity validation for running products can be trigged by the following: volume change, new factory, new
production line, new machines, delivery challenges, high share of wallet, any crisis impacting delivery or
similar.
The L2 and L3 validation should be done with presence of Vestas personnel. The supplier is obliged to share
all relevant capacity data with Vestas.
4.3 Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for direct scope of supply
Vestas requires PPAP Approval (signed Part Submission Warrant (PSW)) prior to the start of serial deliveries.
The compliance of PPAP samples needs to be proven prior to shipment to any Vestas / subcontractor location.
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Suppliers shall ensure that the PPAP document and sample submissions are in accordance with the
requirements in APQP4Wind and Vestas’ requirements described below:
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• For each new or changed product, the supplier shall upon request submit serial production samples
with a complete report and supporting documents based on the Vestas supplier product qualification
process and agreed Extent of Documentation (EoD).
• The extent of required documentation depends on the component risk level determined by Vestas.
• Serial production samples must be sent as scheduled and always before the start of serial production.
Samples must be clearly marked as PPAP samples, using Vestas-specified PPAP labelling unless
otherwise agreed.
• Additionally, a process, product, or system audit may be carried out at the supplier’s manufacturing
plant by Vestas before initial sample submission to validate the process / product.
• The initial samples shall be made under serial production conditions, following the same process.
• The supplier shall notify Vestas prior to initial PPAP samples being shipped to a Vestas factory.
• The initial samples shall be in full compliance with Vestas’ requirements and pass Form, Fit, & Function
(FFF) at the first submission. If this is not the case, Vestas will request corrective actions and a re-
submission of the product in scope along with its corresponding documentation.
• Vestas will notify the supplier with written approval or rejection of the serial production samples or
PPAP documentation. In the event of rejection, the supplier will not be allowed to supply this item
number until corrective actions are implemented and accepted by Vestas.
• In addition to demonstrating compliance with the specification of the product in scope, the supplier
must also prove / state conformance with the CLP Regulation (EC 1272/2008) and must confirm that
they are not using materials banned by the "Vestas Prohibited and Restricted Substance Document”
published on the Vestas homepage.
• Vestas will respect the supplier’s confidentiality / expertise concerning data covering proprietary parts
and it is accepted that in these circumstances the supplier cannot share all information / data with
Vestas. However, if problems or concerns arise, the supplier must be prepared to share information
eliminating such concerns.
• By signing the PSW, the supplier confirms fulfilment with Vestas’ specification and requirements.
Note: Vestas approval does not relieve the supplier of the liability for the product(s) delivered to Vestas in
accordance with the agreement in place between the parties.
VESTAS REQUIRES PPAP APPROVAL PRIOR TO SHIPMENT OF ANY PRODUCTS FOR USE IN CUSTOMER
TURBINES
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5 Sub-supplier Management
Sub-supplier qualification and monitoring shall be the responsibility of the supplier and shall be carried out in
accordance with the qualification and monitoring procedures used under the Vestas supplier qualification and
selection process or an equivalent qualification process which has been accepted by Vestas in order to ensure
the same defined quality standards at sub-suppliers as applicable to the supplier. The supplier shall ensure
Vestas has access to monitoring, reviewing, and performing assessments at sub-suppliers in case Vestas sees
a need.
Vestas’ consent shall be obtained prior to any outsourcing of a process related to the production of the
product(s) supplied to Vestas. If the supplier, upon Vestas’ consent, chooses to outsource such a process, the
supplier is fully responsible for qualifying the relevant sub-supplier. Vestas reserves the right to stipulate sub-
suppliers in exceptional cases.
The supplier is responsible for APQP4Wind deployment at its sub-suppliers when a need is identified or when
requested by Vestas.
The supplier shall have a written procedure for the documentation and retention of quality data of the
product(s) and processes related to product(s) supplied to Vestas. The record retention period shall be a
minimum of 30 years unless otherwise specified by Vestas. The supplier shall ensure that all product-related
documents and records specified in the applicable technical purchase specification (TPS) are retained
according to the requirements stipulated in this section. All documents must be text searchable.
In case of any discrepancy between this Supplier Quality Manual (SQM) and the product TPS, this SQM
requirement shall prevail. In case of non-fulfilment of the above-mentioned requirements, the supplier is
obligated to cover all related costs according to the agreement in place between the Parties. If there are
consistent deviations, the relevant certification body will be notified. All submitted documentation must be
in English.
7 Traceability
The supplier shall demonstrate the agreed level of traceability on the product(s) and repaired product(s). The
traceability level is specified in the TPS and may require implementation of a Vestas Unique Identifier (VUI)
with the product(s). The supplier may, in agreement with Vestas, integrate the VUI into the supplier’s existing
traceability system for the product(s). For offshore projects, the supplier is obligated to support forward
traceability for Vestas specified components.
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Where standards or regulations require the traceability of materials, welds, non-destructive testing, sub-
assemblies, etc., the supplier must identify such requirements and implement controls that will ensure they
are satisfied. In addition to Vestas’ required traceability, the supplier is obligated to establish additional
traceability where a need is identified based on DFMEA and PFMEA risk evaluation.
8 Change Management
The supplier shall have a documented procedure for change management. The supplier shall submit a Supplier
Change Request (SCR) to Vestas for any type of change or modification related to the provided product(s) as
stated below having potential impact on form, fit, system function, safety, quality, reliability, durability,
appearance, delivery, or serviceability:
• Part modifications (including form, fit, and function changes of catalogue items)
• Change of material
• Change of sub-suppliers
• Process changes (including modification of machines or manufacturing equipment changes)
• Change of manufacturing site
The SCR must include the objectives, change description, cost implications, effect on form, fit and function
and a schedule for implementation. The SCR is to be sent to the relevant Vestas Supplier Account Manager.
No implementation of the requested change shall take place prior to a written agreement between Vestas
and the supplier. Vestas’ SCR should be included in the communication regarding all changes. A modification
requires a revision and submission of the PPAP and, if applicable, an update of the corresponding product and
/ or process documentation.
Note: Product-related changes initiated by Vestas will be communicated via the Supplier Account Manager (SAM)
in accordance with the internal Engineering Change Management (ECM) process. Once the change is confirmed,
the product modification follows the Vestas Vendor item qualification process just like a new product (see section
4).
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9 Delivery and Invoice
The products and / or services shall be delivered in line with the quantities, delivery date, and locations
specified in the Purchase Order (PO). The supplier must ensure that every invoice must clearly reference a
valid Vestas PO.
The supplier must prepare packaging to withstand the type of transportation used in shipping (air, truck, sea,
and rail). This means that multiple forms of packaging might be required if the supplier ships to multiple
regions for Vestas. It is the supplier’s responsibility to understand these requirements and to use appropriate
packaging methods. After mutual agreement, returnable containers shall be introduced to achieve cost
reductions and to save natural resources contributing to a better environment.
The supplier shall inform Vestas of all unique storage / handling conditions that can have an impact on the
performance of a material. All material shall be properly stored as per the manufacturer’s recommendations
to protect against both handling damage and natural elements such as temperature, humidity, and corrosion.
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11 Quality Complaints and Non-Conformities (NCs)
Upon Vestas’ request, the supplier shall apply the Eight Disciplines (8D) of the problem-solving process when
receiving a non-conformity report. If requested, the supplier shall provide an 8D report to the Vestas facility
of claim origin. It must be in the English language and must, upon closure, clearly define and verify the
corrective actions implemented to eliminate the verified root cause of occurrence and lack of detection. A
Vestas template is required if nothing is agreed with Vestas. Link to template.
The minimum requirements on the 8D report can be found in Appendix 1. Use of a supplier template needs
to be authorized by Vestas SQD. The 8D report will not be considered complete until proposed corrective and
preventive actions to stop the recurrence are fully implemented and approved by the department responsible
for quality. Upon supplier request, a defect part can be picked up from Vestas’ location with timeline to be
agreed with Vestas’ NC case handler.
In the event of non-conformities, the supplier shall provide immediate corrective actions necessary to ensure
production flows without interruption within the timeframe stipulated below. These actions may include
sorting, rework, containment, immediate replacement of defective and identification of “OK” parts or
materials and the presence of supplier or supplier’s personnel in the Vestas facilities affected.
Once the supplier has been notified of a non-conformity, the supplier shall follow the 2/2/2 rule, meaning:
• The supplier shall implement containment actions and inform Vestas within two days of receiving the
notification. The appropriate Vestas representative responsible for handling the concern shall review
and approve the proposed actions.
• The supplier shall provide Vestas with a root-cause analysis report within two weeks of receiving the
notification or upon receipt of the defective parts. This report must identify why the NC has occurred
and why it was not detected before delivery as well as define corrective action(s) describing how to
eliminate the root cause. The appropriate Vestas representative responsible for quality shall review
and approve the proposed actions.
• The supplier shall verify and implement the agreed corrective actions within a timeframe of two
months maximum.
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12 Deviations / Concession Handling
Prior to delivery, the supplier shall submit in writing a Supplier Deviation Request (SDR) to Vestas SQD when
the supplier is not capable of supplying the ordered products within specification but deems them to fit and
function without any rework. The Vestas template is to be used if nothing is otherwise agreed with Vestas.
The supplier needs to request the latest template from their Vestas contact.
If Vestas grants a concession, each affected delivery must be identified with a concession label including the
reference number of the Vestas deviation approval (NC number). The concession shall be limited by time and
number of parts.
Any costs of poor quality (CoPQ) caused by the defective parts at Vestas or at Vestas customer sites will be
charged back to the supplier according to the responsible party principle in accordance with the agreement
between the Parties. Vestas reserves the right to take additional action to avoid any extra costs to the wind
farm or reputational damage to Vestas or its customers.
13 Continuous Improvements
The supplier shall maintain a Continuous Improvement Plan and shall share the content of this plan upon
Vestas’ request. The plan must reflect suitable actions to achieve the performance targets and shall be
reviewed and updated latest 1 month after any of the performance KPI falls below target.
Note: Achieving the Quality Performance Targets does not relieve the supplier of its obligations to
continuously improve its products, services, and processes resulting in tangible customer benefits like
reductions in cost and lead time.
Depending on the results of the supplier’s performance evaluation, the supplier shall present short- and
middle-term action plans on how to achieve the Quality Performance Targets within a specified time frame.
It is an essential pre-condition for achieving the Quality Performance Targets that the supplier secures the
availability of resources required to implement such improvement plans.
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14 Supplier Performance Criteria
Supplier Performance may be measured monthly using any of the following KPIs with targets communicated
to suppliers by Vestas and reviewed annually:
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14.2 Indirect Suppliers
• CoPQ ratio: Total cost incurred by Vestas due to poor quality caused by supplier / Total spend.
• NC Quantities: Total number of NCs issued to the supplier.
• Safety Performance: TRIR from subcontractors at Vestas projects.
• Post Service Evaluation: this is an internal assessment where Vestas’ rates and provides feedback on
the subcontract service level, considering different criteria, e.g. project execution, safety behavior,
quality of work, mobilization on-time.
• HSE incidents handling to follow HSE incidents minimum case handling requirements
Supplier shall accept and facilitate End customers’ inspections, observance of tests, and audits (accompanied
by representatives of Vestas and representatives of the relevant End customer), provided such inspections,
tests and audits are requested 10 Business Days prior to the date of the initiation of inspection, test, and/or
audit.
Supplier shall support the inspections, tests, and/or audits, by making adequate resources and technical
personnel available to successfully perform the inspections, tests and/or audits.
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16 Glossary
5-why Technique used to explore the cause-and-effect relationships
8D report: 8 Disciplines, a problem-solving method
APQP Advanced Product Quality Planning
CoPQ Cost of Poor Quality
Capability Analysis Index Ratio of difference of nearest specification limit minus Process
Cpk/Ppk
Average over three times the process standard deviation.
CTQs Critical-to-quality characteristics
DFMEA Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
Direct scope Material, component, and services used in serial productions
ECM Engineering Change Management
EoD Extent of Documentation
End customer Vestas customer or third-party representative
FAI First article Inspection
Form, Fit, and Function; trial use of components in production setting to confirm conformance
to requirements.
• “Form” means shape, size, dimensions, and other parameters that distinguish the
product.
FFF
• “Fit” means the ability of the Product to physically interface with, connect to, or
become an integral part of another part of the relevant WTG as intended by Vestas for
the proper functioning of such WTG.
• “Function” means the intended action, inaction, or other capability of a Product.
Fishbone
A fishbone diagram is a visualization tool for categorizing the potential causes of a problem.
diagram
FMEA Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
Forward
The project for the produced item is already known
traceability
GAN
Global compliance assessment
assessment
HSE Health, Safety, and Environment
Site development, Cranes, installation of turbines, balance of plant, transport of main
Indirect scope
components to WTG site, CAPEX and site tools, PPE and safety equipment
ITP Inspection & Test Plan
KPI Key Performance Indicator
LTI Lost Time Injury
MPD Modular Product Development
MSA Measurement Systems Analysis
MTI Medical Treatment Injury
NC Non-Conformity
OEE Overall Equipment Effectiveness
OTD On Time Delivery
PA Purchase Agreement
PFMEA Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
PO Purchase Order
PPAP Production Part Approval Process
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PPM Total number of defective parts in relation to total number of parts delivered
The ability of a product to be safe for intended use, as determined when evaluated against a set
Product Safety
of established rules
PSW Part Submission Warrant
RFQ Request for Quotation
RPN Risk Priority Number
RWI Restricted Work Injuries
A notification issued by the Manufacturer to affected personnel of a recently identified high risk
Safety Alert
of a serious accident
SAM Supplier Account Manager
SCR Supplier Change Request
SDR Supplier Deviation Request
SPC Statistical Process Control
SQD Supplier Quality & Development
SQE Supplier Quality Engineer
SQM Supplier Quality Manual
TFC Team Feasibility Commitment
Tower Doc Vestas Tower documentation database
TPS Technical Purchase Specification
TRIR Total Recordable Injury Rate
VDD Vestas Document Database
VUI Vestas Unique Identifier
Wind Turbine Generators including all its systems
WTG
and components
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17 Appendix 1: 8D report minimum content
1. Problem description
2. Risks on similar products and processes
3. Containment action
4. Sorting activities at relevant locations in the supply chain
5. Root-cause analyses using 5-why and fishbone diagram defining:
• Root cause for non-detection
• Root cause for deviation
6. Permanent countermeasures
7. Effectiveness / tracking
8. PFMEA RPN recalculation and lessons learned
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