Case Study: Spark Plug Supply for a fleet operator in West Africa
Source:Case /
Time:2026-09-18
Spark Plug for A fleet operator in West Africa
A fleet operator came to us with a spark plug programme for West Africa. 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 specification nobody had written down
- A fitment that looked right on paper and failed on the bench
- Warranty claims traced back to a single lot
What was specified
| Part | Spark Plug |
|---|---|
| Client | A fleet operator |
| Market | West Africa |
| Volume | 20,000 pieces across 3 specifications |
| Base material | Reinforced Nylon |
| Sampling rounds | 4 |
| Delivery window | 8 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | SAE J431 |
How it was resolved
- The specification was rebuilt around Reinforced Nylon 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
- 20,000 pieces delivered inside the 8-week window.
- Unit cost held within 3.0% of the original quotation.
- Inspection-related rejection stayed under 2.0%.
- The specification is on file, so reorders reproduce the approved sample.
What we would repeat
Lock the material standard before sampling. Once the base changes, every downstream approval has to be redone and the calendar slips.
Planning something similar?
Send the specification you are working to and we will confirm what we can match, what we would change and why.
