While we have long-term relationships with many suppliers and manufacturers we continue to identify potential new partnerships to ensure that we can offer new technologies and products.

Existing suppliers are visited reqularly and periodic audits are carried out. Currently we have a pool of over 40 core suppliers which we work with in close partnership. By focussing on our core suppliers we get benefits in service levels, pricing, etc.

To identify a new supplier we have a comprehensive screening procedure which includes inspecting the facility and equipment, interviewing the senior management and verifying that not only can they achieve our price target but that they have a suitable quality management system in place to ensure the correct level of product quality and acceptable lead-times.

When we determine a specific factory to manufacture an order we base the decision on which facility can meet our customers' requirements.