Case Study: Serpentine Belt Supply for a motorcycle assembler in Central America
Source:Case /
Time:2026-09-18
Serpentine Belt for A motorcycle assembler in Central America
A motorcycle assembler came to us with a serpentine belt programme for Central America. 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
- Inconsistent hardness between lots
- Lead time that slipped twice before bulk started
- Premature wear on the first batch
What was specified
| Part | Serpentine Belt |
|---|---|
| Client | A motorcycle assembler |
| Market | Central America |
| Volume | 2,000 pieces across 6 specifications |
| Base material | EPDM Rubber |
| Sampling rounds | 4 |
| Delivery window | 10 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | IATF 16949 |
How it was resolved
- The specification was rebuilt around EPDM Rubber 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
- 2,000 pieces delivered inside the 10-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
Approve a pre-production sample made from the actual bulk material. Substitute material behaves differently in service.
Planning something similar?
Send the specification you are working to and we will confirm what we can match, what we would change and why.
