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Supplier Quality Statement

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1.   Scope of Responsibility & Authority

This document defines the quality requirements for vendors, suppliers, and sub-contractors (each referred to herein as “Supplier”) working with TPI Composites, Inc. (“TPI”). Supplier is responsible for the “Scope of Work” described in a Master Agreement, Supply Agreement, Statement of Work and/or Purchase Order, and any decisions necessary to complete its scope.  Supplier shall meet all specifications, prints, and technical requirements communicated by TPI, the requirements included in the TPI Documents listed below in Section 2 (“TPI Requirements”), and the standards of care, skill, safety, and diligence as generally applied or utilized by experienced and prudent industry professionals (collectively, “Requirements”).  Additionally, the Supplier is required to ensure any sub-tier supplier or subcontractor meets all Requirements, and the Supplier is ultimately responsible for all work performed by any sub-tier supplier or subcontractor.

1.1 Revisions

The Supplier Quality Requirements document is maintained by TPI.  Minor changes and updates to procedures, not affecting the quality requirements, will not necessitate a revision. The most up-to-date version of this document can always be found at https://tpicomposites.com/suppliers/supplier-quality-statement/.

2.   Documents

2.1 TPI Documents

  • Master Agreement
  • Supply Agreement (including TPI Purchasing Terms and Conditions or Master Terms and Conditions)
  • Statement of Work, Specifications, Prints and/ or Drawings, Technical Requirements
  • Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement
  • Supplier Code of Conduct
  • TPI’s Customer Requirements (if applicable)
  • Technical Specifications (if applicable)
  • Regulatory Requirements (if applicable)

3.   Quality Requirements

Supplier shall maintain a Quality Management System, Quality Assurance Plan, or Product Quality Plan compliant with applicable industry standards such as ISO 9001, AS9100, and IATF16949, and shall also meet all TPI Requirements.

It is strongly recommended that any supplier supporting TPI’s Automotive Division already have or actively pursue IATF-16949 certification.  If the Supplier does not maintain such a system or plan, Supplier must document actual quality practices and procedures and provide these to TPI in writing. A copy of any and all applicable certifications must be supplied to TPI. 

Further, Supplier shall comply with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)/APQP4Wind and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for any new or revised products and will submit required documentation to TPI through the designated portal.  APQP AIAG is required for qualifying new materials and/or major process changes supporting TPI’s Automotive Division.   APQP4Wind is required for qualifying new materials and/or major process changes supporting TPI’s Wind Division.

TPI reserves the right to review or assess the relevant system, plan, practices, and/or procedures, including subcontracted products and service development processes, and manufacturing and process control plans applied to products or services.  Any aspect of the system or plan, or anticipated modifications that could affect planned outcomes, must be promptly communicated to TPI.  TPI also reserves the right to conduct process reviews and quality audits at the Supplier (and its sub-tier supplier or subcontractor) facilities.  In the event of a planned visit, TPI will provide advance notice, when practical.  Supplier must provide production records (or service records) and evidence of conformance and compliance upon request. 

Suppliers must also comply with all applicable laws and regulatory requirements.

3.1 Supplier Process Assessments and Work Product Review

TPI reserves the right to conduct periodic assessments of work products, deliverables, reports, and records, and to also verify compliance of any materials, products, services or processes.  Any deficiencies or non-conformances noted during the assessments shall be documented, and Supplier must promptly correct, provide satisfactory evidence of closure and comply with the requirements set forth below in Section 3.2.  Supplier must have both established engineering controls and upstream controls to ensure specification conformance.   

3.2 Corrective Action / Preventative Action / Continuous Improvement

A closed loop corrective and preventative action system shall be used to identify root cause of, and corrective actions needed to correct any non-conformances or systemic quality issues.  Examples include 8 Disciplines of Problem Solving (8D).  Verification and validation must be conducted to confirm compliance to improvement plans and effectiveness of the incorporated corrective and preventative actions.  TPI reserves the right to review, audit, or assess evidence of correction and effectiveness.  Similarly, after a review, audit or assessment, any non-conformances or corrective actions documented in the report will be part of a supplier corrective action plan.  The corrective actions documented require action from the Supplier and approval from TPI.   Continuous improvement and operational excellence processes are viewed as vital for process or productivity improvement and to ensure Requirements are achieved.  Supplier performance shall be measured and monitored by TPI.  

In the event a Supplier does not correct non-conformances or quality issues in a timely and comprehensive manner, the Supplier shall receive written notice from TPI and TPI may seek any available remedy including those set forth in the applicable agreement, TPI’s terms and conditions or purchase order.  At TPI’s discretion, TPI may approve commercial or financial remedies if non-conformances are not rectified, or corrective actions are not put in place.  After repeated issues and multiple documented notices, poor performing suppliers may be disqualified in TPI’s purchasing system.

3.3 Data and Record Retention  

Supplier shall ensure that records, specifications, manufacturing methods, test plans, Certificates of Compliance, and Certificates of Conformance are maintained and available for review upon request.  Record retention is required for a minimum period of 10 years, unless stated otherwise in the applicable agreement.  Record retention can be digital or hard copy. 

4.   Acceptance

4.1 Material or Product Verification & Acceptance

Supplier shall verify that the goods and/ or services provided are complete and compliant with the Requirements, Specifications, Bill of Materials, Supply Agreement, Purchase Order and the Statement of Work documents.  This can be demonstrated through a means satisfactory to TPI, which may be checklists, material certifications, test and inspection reports, Certificate of Compliance, Certificate of Conformance, Certificate of Test, or equivalent to signify that the item(s) are complete and meet requirements specified for the products or services. 

As part of acceptance, the product, completed service, or material will be inspected, tested, and verified to confirm that it meets the Requirements. Supplier must verify operation, perform safety and performance tests in accordance with the applicable specifications and confirm product acceptance requirements. Final acceptance by TPI is based upon the successful completion of inspection and testing.

Products supplied by the Supplier shall not be and are not comprised of any counterfeit materials. 

4.2 Deviations or Waivers

Any non-compliance to the Requirements or product non-conformance shall be brought to the attention of TPI.  Initial written notification must be provided to TPI within 48 hours.  Any request by Supplier for a waiver must be in writing.

4.3 Product Frozen Process Change Request

Once the product, service or material verification and qualification is complete, the process is frozen or locked. The raw material, equipment, vessel, machine, location, or manufacturing site cannot be changed without TPI approval.  Any proposed change to established process parameters (“frozen processes”) must be approved in writing by TPI and the Commodity Lead will assess potential re-qualification prior to the change implementation.

4.4 Traceability & Identification       

Identification and traceability requirements will be as directed by TPI to the Supplier and shall be documented in the specification or on the drawing.  Supplier shall ensure identification and traceability are implemented and records are provided to TPI at the time of delivery, maintained and available for review upon request.  Identification may include part and lot or batch number labeling.  Traceability may include batch number, lot number or serial number for genealogy and history.