Indian Client Visit: Machine Inspection & Factory Audit (Nov 19)
On November 19, a procurement and operations team from an Indian rice mill group visited our factory for a one-day program covering equipment trials, documentation review, and a supplier audit. Their objective was to validate real throughput and quality metrics before shipment, and to confirm our process control and after-sales readiness for multi-site deployment in India.
Scope and agenda
We co-planned the visit around their product mix—Basmati, other long-grain aromatics, and parboiled. The agenda included: (1) Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) on the milling line, (2) demonstrations on calibration and quick changeover between grain profiles, (3) audit of machining, assembly, and final QA stations, and (4) service preparedness—spare parts, training, and remote support.
Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)
During the FAT, we ran consecutive lots to verify repeatability at target throughput (t/h). The client observed start-up routines, safety interlocks, and parameter tuning (roll pressure, feed control, air volume, and polish time). We captured live data for head-rice yield, broken percentage, whiteness/clarity, and energy consumption (kWh/ton). For parboiled, we highlighted moisture/temperature management to protect kernel integrity; for Basmati, we emphasized gentle polishing to retain length and minimize tip breakage. The team also inspected husk/bran separation, sieve performance, and color sorter rejection accuracy using defect samples (chalky, black tip, and discolored grains).
Calibration and changeover
Because their mills run mixed programs seasonally, we demonstrated rapid changeovers: swapping screens, adjusting roll gaps, and loading saved “recipes” for Basmati vs. parboiled profiles. The line was stopped and restarted to show how operators can return to spec within minutes, reducing downtime and loss.
Quality system & compliance audit
The audit assessed our ISO-aligned procedures, incoming material checks, torque records on critical assemblies, and final inspection templates. The client reviewed serial number traceability, calibration logs for key gauges, and our preventive maintenance standards. We walked through electrical panels, guarding, and e-stop logic, and presented the documentation set provided at shipment: user manuals, wiring diagrams, lubrication charts, and spare-parts lists. We also outlined our CE conformity basis for the shipped configuration and discussed regional adaptations on request.
Service readiness & training
Uptime drives profitability, so we detailed how we support commissioning and daily operations. The plan includes: on-site operator training, a remote refresher module, and a quarterly checkup cadence. We proposed a 12-month critical spares kit (consumables + strategic components) and shared our parts planning calculator to predict wear based on run hours and paddy quality. The team tested our remote diagnostics workflow for rapid triage and escalation to field engineers.
Results and next steps
By day’s end, the client provisionally signed off on FAT with two optimization notes: adding a Basmati-specific polishing profile and expanding sorter libraries for local defect patterns. We agreed on a commissioning timetable aligned to their installation window, plus a performance review framework tracking KPIs—milling recovery rate, broken %, yield consistency, and kWh/ton. Packaging, shipping documentation, and insurance terms were confirmed with the procurement lead.
Why this matters
Customer stories like this demonstrate how engineering, process discipline, and service converge to deliver predictable outcomes. The Nov 19 visit gave the Indian team hands-on proof that the line will hit specification on day one—and that our support structure will keep it there throughout the season. For us, that’s the standard: measurable performance, transparent documentation, and a service plan that sustains results.