Kitting FAQs

Do you have a minimum spend requirement for kitting customers?

We are happy to talk to any potential customers with a range of component spends allowing us to review your requirements in detail. Due to the significant set-up and administration costs developing new component kits for a new customer, there would need to be a potential long term relationship, and benefit to both parties entering into any new agreement.

What is your standard kitting lead-time of a bill of materials?

The lead-time to build a kit is controlled by the longest manufacturer lead-time of the components within it. If parts are all ex stock we require 2 weeks to prepare a kit for shipment.

We are often able to work with customer to reduce lead times using alternative sourcing routes.

How do you handle extended lead-time parts?

Parts highlighted as having extended lead-times may be managed outside of the kit using strategic consigned stock agreements developed to buffer you from lead-time issues.

How do you deal with scheduled deliveries?

Kits produced to a schedule of deliveries will be manufactured during the 4 week period prior to the delivery date. We ask that you make no reschedules during this 4 weeks period however we may consider reschedules outside of this window.

How long will it take to give me a quotation?

We would provide an accurate quotation for you as quickly as possible; the speed of this would depend on the quality and accuracy of the information supplied to us. In normal circumstances we would expect this to be no longer than 2-3 weeks.

Do you re-package for exact quantities, exact quantities plus wastage or maintain existing pack quantities?

Our objective to provide you with a "production ready" kit and as such we repackage parts to the batch requirements. This can include an agreed quantity % attrition and an agreed amount of populated or unpopulated feed & tail for SMT components.

How would you deal with a customers stock held in their own stores or at sub contract manufacturer?

We will manage your stock by setting up a "virtual" warehouse, on our system. Our kitting module will always use this stock as the first source if requested. The physical stock may be consigned at our premises or maintained at another site, with pick lists supplied to you or your subcontractor.

How would you deal with a customer's current suppliers and special pricing?

Wherever possible we would use our approved list of suppliers to populate kits. However where components are unique or have "Special prices" logged we are happy to use this supply line and would request your support with the re direction of supply.

How do you deal with part changes/substitutions?

Alternative parts are never substituted without the formal approval of a customer. Where parts become difficult to purchase we will always support you by seeking out alternatives. Similarly if there were price advantages to be gained we would offer alternatives to you at the time of quoting.

Do you supply you own generic parts where suitable?

Our preferred option is to supply our own generic items for resistors and some capacitors. This would only be done after seeking you approval.

Can you guarantee the stability of kit pricing?

We work in a market place where pricing can fluctuate significantly based on supply. Where a customer gives a scheduled order then pricing can be secured for the term of the schedule.

Some requirements using a more volatile mix of components, including obsolete and allocated parts, on very short lead times will be likely to instability and a degree of price variation

Do you source products from the grey market?

Some components may be on long leadtimes, on allocation or obsolete. If there is the need to secure product from an unapproved source, usually to meet a delivery requirement, we would seek approval from you before placing an order.

Do you have the capacity to handle my growing requirements?

We believe that our current systems and logistics capabilities are able to cope with significant growth from both existing and new customers. As you would expect we have detailed plans for further developments, however we are more than happy to discuss a customers long term requirements in detail and would strongly suggest a visit to Diamond to see, first hand, what we are able to offer now and in the future.

Do you offer a subcontract board assembly service?

We have learned over time to concentrate on our core disciplines. Component procurement and materials handling, we do not promote a subcontract assembly service as we have never been nor intend to be experts in manufacturing .If you are an OEM and you want this service we would be happy to introduce you to a number of excellent CEM's, If you are a CEM please be assured that our services are designed to support and compliment your's, not to compete!