At SATO, our manufacturers are distributed globally to keep transport costs to our key markets low and maximise affordability for our customers, However, managing multiple independent manufacturers around the world brings dynamic challenges when it comes to maintaining the highest standards of quality. Our customers rely on knowing that when they purchase a SATO product, it is a durable, long-term solution to their hygiene and sanitation needs, and this bond of trust is why we have innovative and rigorous methods to manage quality across our supply chain.

For this year’s World Quality Day, we’re showcasing our focus on quality and the measures we undertake to ensure our high standards are met by our wide array of manufacturers. Our products need to withstand daily usage while maintaining durability and functionality. Through a combination of thorough testing protocols and collaborative global manufacturing processes, SATO leaves no stone unturned.

At the initial development stage, each product—such as the SATO Slab and SATO Pan—undergoes a rigorous verification process at the mould maker’s end. Both the R&D and Quality teams review and approve the moulds before they are lifted, ensuring they meet SATO’s high standards for quality right from the start. Our SATO Pans don’t leave the factory unless we are confident the trap-door mechanism can meet our high standards of lasting the equivalent of 100 years of use by a family of five with no damage or deterioration. This is particularly crucial in areas such as refugee camps where heavy usage is expected. With the SATO Pan, we also perform flush tests to confirm the assembly functions as intended under regular circumstances, ensuring effective and efficient waste management.

We even go beyond normal usage so our products can really withstand the bumps and scrapes we expect from real-life use. We conduct drop tests from a height of 5 feet (1.5 metres) to ensure resistance to damage during transport, and we check details like colour grading, surface finish and part-count tests to ensure universal precision in each product’s build and packaging.

We have also introduced enhanced trial procedures for certain export orders. This proactive approach involves random checks of product boxes, ensuring that, in the unlikely event of an issue, we can quickly identify and resolve it. This system reinforces our commitment to delivering only the highest quality products to our customers.

With eight manufacturing partners spread across India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania, it is vital we have a robust quality assurance network that clearly and evenly communicates our standards. At a minimum, all our manufacturing partners are 9100 certified and we sign a Quality Assurance Agreement with each manufacturing partner to ensure a universal level of quality.

Once we’ve reached a supply agreement with a manufacturer, they receive specialised moulds designed by us and tailored to specific SKU requirements in each market. Our quality team then supervises the initial production batch, ensuring every unit meets our critical benchmarks. Only once a batch meets the appropriate standard do we authorise mass production.

In the rare instance that a manufacturer’s product falls short of SATO’s standards, immediate corrective measures are taken. This involves halting the shipment of all material from the affected batch, inspecting each product to determine whether it should be retained and conducting a root cause analysis to identify the cause of the issue. Once the root cause is established, an action plan is developed to prevent future occurrences. This process means all manufacturing partners align with SATO’s quality expectation, regardless of their location, and deepens our relationships with our manufacturers over time.

When managing global supply chains, it’s not always possible to manage quality in-person. When distant locations are involved, we conduct virtual audits of orders due for export using online video-call platforms that include random checks of product batches. If these products pass the audit they are approved for export; if not, corrective actions are swiftly implemented.

But quality is not only about maintaining standards over time. We also believe in the importance of continuous improvement. After products are shipped to customers, we collect feedback and address any issues related to damage during transit or handling. This feedback cycle is critical in improving manufacturing and packaging quality over time.

At the heart of quality assurance is the desire to create products that can improve users’ quality of life. By rigorously testing our products, ensuring flawless inspections, and maintaining strong relationships with global manufacturers, our customers can be confident that when they purchase a SATO product, they’re purchasing a product they can rely on to enhance their sanitation and hygiene for the long term.