Case Study: Thermostat Supply for a bus operator in Europe
Source:Case /
Time:2026-09-18
Thermostat for A bus operator in Europe
A bus operator came to us with a thermostat programme for Europe. The brief was ordinary and unforgiving at the same time: a fixed launch window, a landed cost that had to survive freight and duty, and a part that had to match an existing sample. This case records what was specified, what went wrong in sampling and how the bulk order landed.
The starting point
- Reorders that did not match the approved sample
- Packing that arrived crushed at the port
- Lead time that slipped twice before bulk started
What was specified
| Part | Thermostat |
|---|---|
| Client | A bus operator |
| Market | Europe |
| Volume | 10,000 pieces across 2 specifications |
| Base material | PU Leather |
| Sampling rounds | 3 |
| Delivery window | 4 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | REACH |
How it was resolved
- The specification was rebuilt around PU Leather and the tolerance locked before bulk.
- A pre-production sample was approved and kept as the golden reference.
- Production ran with in-line inspection and a mid-run photo report.
- Cartons were packed to the client's own barcode and ratio specification.
- Documentation shipped with the goods instead of after them.
Result
- 10,000 pieces delivered inside the 4-week window.
- Unit cost held within 3.0% of the original quotation.
- Inspection-related rejection stayed under 1.5%.
- The specification is on file, so reorders reproduce the approved sample.
What we would repeat
Fix the specification count early. Adding variants after production starts is the most expensive change a client can request.
Planning something similar?
Share a sample or a drawing and we will quote against a written specification, not against a photograph.
