Case Study: Oil Pan Supply for a taxi fleet in Europe
Source:Case /
Time:2026-09-18
Oil Pan for A taxi fleet in Europe
A taxi fleet came to us with a oil pan 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
- A supplier who changed material without saying so
- Premature wear on the first batch
- Lead time that slipped twice before bulk started

What was specified
| Part | Oil Pan |
|---|---|
| Client | A taxi fleet |
| Market | Europe |
| Volume | 50,000 pieces across 4 specifications |
| Base material | Bronze |
| Sampling rounds | 3 |
| Delivery window | 8 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | IATF 16949 |
How it was resolved
- The specification was rebuilt around Bronze 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
- 50,000 pieces delivered inside the 8-week window.
- Unit cost held within 4.5% 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
Keep one accountable owner on both sides. Most delays come from hand-offs, not from machines.
Planning something similar?
Share a sample or a drawing and we will quote against a written specification, not against a photograph.



