Policies and Preferred Parts

Commercial Policies

See Standard vs. Non-Standard Parts to understand what constitutes a standard part and a non-standard (or custom part) and lead times.

Fair-Rite has a formal system for providing price quotes for customer requests.  Two quoting systems exist : one for existing Fair-Rite part numbers and another for new part inquiries. In the case of existing part quotes: all specifications, quality and manufacturing methods have been predetermined, whether the part is standard, non-standard or customer specific. The Fair-Rite part number has these assigned requirements based on Fair-Rite’s discretion, except in the case of customer specific items, part requirements are not changed.  In order to receive a quote, customers need to provide information on our Request a Quote (RFQ) page found here. Fair-Rite reserves the right to no quote.

When customer requirements dictate a new part would need to be developed, Fair-Rite has a separate quoting system which evaluates capability to meet customer expectations. The customer needs to communicate all expectations during this initial evaluation, this includes but is not limited to special packaging, handling, sampling plans, measurement methods, acceptance criteria and conformance to environmental, quality and other standards or regulations. Communication of these special needs after the time of quotation may not be accepted by Fair-Rite and may require re-quote.  Fair-Rite may take exception to part specific or other customer requests when quoting. Requests may be a no quote based on Fair-Rite’s discretion.

We, a team of dedicated professionals, create the finest ferrite products and innovative solutions for the global electronic industry, with the commitment to improve the future for our customers, our company, our community, our families and ourselves.

A Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) fee is being charged for the requested component. This fee represents costs incurred by Fair-Rite Products Corp. for new tooling, fixtures or process equipment or special engineering development work necessary to produce the new item. This NRE dictates that a part will only be used for your company’s orders, but any tools, fixtures, or equipment developed physically remain Fair-Rite’s which Fair-Rite will continue to maintain, refurbish, and replace if necessary. Evaluation samples are included in the NRE fee for customer approval of the design prior to release to production. The part’s exclusivity will expire if you have not ordered the part for 5 years.

Fair-Rite has had a formal Quality System in place since 1997. Initially, it was based on QS9000, then ISO/TS16949 and now IATF16949.

Quality complaints for product purchased and shipped direct from Fair-Rite should be communicated to Fair-Rite’s Sales Department. Complaints relating to product purchased from distributors need to be addressed with the distributor.  The lot number for the product in question is needed to respond to any quality complaint. All standard and non-standard parts have established component drawings which define acceptance criteria defined by Fair-Rite. Fair-Rite has established Visual Inspection Criteria for general product types. Fair-Rite cannot accept complaints or perceived nonconformances outside these established component drawing specifications or visual inspection criteria.

Fair-Rite has multiple Authorized Distributors throughout the world. Fair-Rite’s products may also be available through multiple non-franchised sources. Fair-Rite only acknowledges Authorized Distributors. Terms of sale through distributors are wholly owned by the individual distributor and thus Fair-Rite has no responsibility in this area. Authorized distributors do work closely with Fair-Rite to ensure maximal customer satisfaction. When customers are dissatisfied with product purchased through a distributor, the customer needs to start the communication process with the distributor. The complaint needs to be clearly communicated and the Fair-Rite part number and manufacturing lot code needs to be noted. From this point the distributor will inform Fair-Rite of the problem and Fair-Rite will evaluate the situation and communicate the course of action. Fair-Rite may request more details, pictures or samples to validate the issue; but all communication needs to be through the distributor.

At Fair-Rite’s discretion, Buyer may be permitted to return(at its own cost and expense) any “standard” or “catalog” product which Seller stocks within one (1) year from the date of shipment if: (i) it is in new condition, suitable for resale in its undamaged original packaging and with all its original parts and original markings, (e.g., Lot numbers, serial numbers) and (ii) it has not been used, installed, modified, rebuilt, reconditioned, repaired, altered or damaged and (iii) meets all Local, State and Federal laws governing the type of products that can be sold or put into transit in the State in which the product is being returned and (iv) Buyer pays a 25% restocking fee. Buyer’s surplus job returns, and those not meeting (i), (ii) and (iii) above, will be evaluated on an individual basis after Buyer has contacted Seller’s authorized representative for prior written permission. Except for items Seller stocks which meet (i), (ii) and (iii), above, credit memoranda issued for authorized returns shall be subject to the following deductions: (a) cost of putting items in salable condition; (b) transportation charges, if not prepaid; and (c) handling and restocking charges. Products that are “non-standard” or “non-catalog” are not cancellable and not returnable.

Modern value enhancement tools, including Controls Plans, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Feasibility Assessments, are available for the quality planning process. Contract review, design control, and procurement all function within the quality management system. Process and product control, including measurement, traceability, handling and delivery, meet the highest quality standards. Any nonconforming or suspect product is tracked. Corrective and preventive actions, statistical methods, and internal audits are applied to guarantee continual improvement. Extensive training is provided to all employees to support the system. Product inspection, tests and records verify that specified requirements are met. Critical characteristics are monitored by statistical methods, including pre-control, control charts, and Statistical Process Control (SPC). Process capability indices, Cpks, are targeted to exceed 1.33. When sampling plans are employed, Zero Based Acceptance (C=0) criteria is used. Visual inspection criteria for chips, cracks and surface finish are documented. IEC Standard 60424 is used as a guide for evaluation of visual imperfections. For product types not defined by IEC Standard 60424, customer specific or Fair-Rite’s visual inspection criteria shall apply.

 

All Fair-Rite Products Corp. components are RoHS and REACH compliant per the current substances and thresholds. Termination wire used on all board level components and the plated contacts on chip components have 100% matte tin surface finish over a nickel undercoating. The polypropylene cases used to assemble Fair-Rite Snap-It cores are UL94 V-0 rated, do not contain PBB nor PBDE but do contain Antimony Trioxide as a flame retardant.

Fair-Rite Products Corp. adheres to the practice of continual improvement. Fair-Rite uses continual improvement to identify, define, implement, measure, and analyze the effectiveness of change through the use of root causes analysis, corrective and preventive action tools. Quality planning is achieved using Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and other quality tools executed by a trained, cross-functional team.

 

In order to offer our customers optimized designs of its standard catalog components, the company reserves the right to change materials, designs, dimensions, specifications, etc. at any time without customer approval. Product Change Notifications will be submitted for changes to form-fit-function and country of origin (COO).

Please reference the section, Our Position on Quality and the Environment, for additional quality methods employed.

Fair-Rite Products Corp. strives to eliminate nonconformances. Nonconformance can be defined as not meeting quality expectations; this can include late delivery and nonconforming material, among others.

Fair-Rite’s Incoming Inspection uses Zero Based Acceptance (C=0) criteria to assist in identifying quality material. If nonconforming material is found to be shipped and not formally accepted by way of a deviation notice, it will be moved to an Material Review Board (MRB) quarantine location, at which time the appropriate Quality, Process and/or Manufacturing Engineer will evaluate and disposition the material. Fair-Rite’s Quality Dept. may issue a Supplier Corrective Action which can affect the supplier’s quality rating.

Effective corrective action addresses the root cause of the condition so that it will not occur again. Fair-Rite expects a containment response within 2 days (8D CAR completed up through D-3(Containment Actions)) and most corrective and preventive actions to be complete within 14 days (8D CAR completed through D-8). Fair-Rite understands that some issues involve a more in-depth investigation and corrective action resolution, which may take longer than 14 days. In that event, Fair-Rite expects to be notified of such an approach with an expected date of completion previous to the 14 day expiration date.

Suppliers must send documented supplier corrective action to Fair-Rite’s Quality group for review, acceptance and recording. Fair-Rite’s Quality group may take exception to the proposed action if deemed inappropriate or ineffective, and request further investigation and action by the supplier. Failure to provide and implement effective corrective action is potential cause for the supplier’s removal from Fair-Rite Products Corp.’s Approved Supplier List (ASL).

The employees of Fair-Rite are committed to providing high-value solutions to our customers.  If you have a suggestion for improvement or a problem with our products, we want to know. We will do everything possible to rectify the situation.  Corrective action is an effective instrument for our improvement.

 

If you have a suggestion or a problem, please complete and submit this form.  Alternatively, you can e-mail, phone or FAX. A Quality representative will respond within 3 days, or sooner if you request.  Thanks in advance for your participation.