Resources

A

• Adhesive – A substance used for sticking objects or materials together.
• Assembly – The process of putting together various components to form a finished product.

B

• Backfill – Providing additional personnel to fill workforce gaps temporarily.
• Barcode Labeling – Attaching machine-readable codes to products for identification and tracking.
• Bill of Materials (BOM) – A comprehensive list of raw materials, components, and instructions required to construct, manufacture, or repair a product or service.
• Bridge Labor – Temporary staffing solutions to support ongoing operations or projects.

C

• CAGE Code – Commercial and Government Entity Code. A unique identifier assigned by the U.S. government to businesses and organizations that contract with federal agencies or the military. It is used for tracking and verification purposes in government procurement.
• Co-Packing – Contracting a company to package products on behalf of another company.
• Collating – Assembling pages or materials in a predetermined order.
• Compliance – The practice of tracking whether a product complies with government-imposed regulations or a company’s self-imposed standards.
• Continuous-Flow Manufacturing (CFM) – A method where materials are constantly moving through the production line.
• Contract Manufacturer (CM) – A firm hired by a company to manufacture or assemble its product or part of its product.
• Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) – A company that serves other companies in the pharmaceutical industry on a contract basis to provide comprehensive services from drug development through drug manufacturing.
• Conversion Rate – The proportion of visitors who take a specific action on a website or in a commerce catalog, like signing up for emails or finalizing a purchase.

D

• Deburring – Removing rough edges or protrusions from metal or plastic parts.
• Deflashing – Eliminating excess material from molded products.
• Degating – Removing the gate or excess material from a molded part.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM) – Designing products in a way that they are easy to manufacture.
• Document Change Request (DCR) – A change request detailing a problem with a document, specification, or standard operating procedure, proposing a change to fix it.
• Dual Locks – Reclosable fasteners that interlock for secure attachment.

E

• E-Coating – Electrophoretic coating process used to apply paint or coatings uniformly.
• Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) – The sudden flow of electricity from one electrically charged object to another.
• End of Life (EOL) – Indicating the end of a product’s useful life when an OEM stops reworking, marketing, and selling a product.
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) – A centralized software system that integrates the management of core business processes.

F

• FDA Rework – Modifying or correcting products to meet FDA standards.
• First Article Inspection (FAI) – An inspection comparing the first produced article to design specifications to ensure accuracy.
• Flexible Packaging – Packaging made from flexible materials that can change shape.
• Foreign Material Removal – Eliminating unwanted substances from products.

G

• Gauging – Measuring dimensions to ensure they meet specified standards.
• Gerber Files – An electronics industry file format for communicating design information to manufacturers of printed circuit boards.
• GP12 Inspection – Also known as Early Product Containment, GP12 is a controlled inspection process used in the automotive industry to detect defects and ensure quality before parts are shipped, especially during new product launches or after supplier issues.

H

• Heat Sealing – Joining materials using heat to create a seal.
• Hot Melt Glue – Thermoplastic adhesive applied in a molten state that solidifies upon cooling.

I

• Inkjet Coding – Printing information on products using inkjet technology.
• Inspection – Examining products to ensure they meet quality standards.

J

• Just-In-Time (JIT) Manufacturing – A production method that reduces inventory waste by only manufacturing goods as needed.

K

• Kitting – The process of grouping related items into pre-assembled kits for distribution, fulfillment, or retail.

L

• Lean Manufacturing – A production method focused on minimizing waste while maximizing productivity and quality.
• Lot Identification – Assigning unique batch codes to products for tracking and quality assurance.

M

• Metal Finishing – A process that enhances the surface quality of metal parts through polishing, coating, or plating.
• Mixed Parts Sorting – The process of identifying, separating, and organizing different types of components such as bolts, screws, washers, and die-cast parts.

N

• NAICS – North American Industry Classification System. A coding system used to classify businesses by industry for statistical, regulatory, and contracting purposes. Each code represents a specific sector based on economic activity.
• New Product Launch – The process of bringing a new product to market, including packaging, quality checks, and fulfillment strategies.
• Non-Conformance Report (NCR) – A document that records product defects or deviations from quality standards.

O

• Onsite Labor – Providing skilled labor directly at a client’s facility to support manufacturing, assembly, or quality control.
• Overpackaging – The practice of using excessive packaging materials, often reworked to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

P

• Pallet Displays – Pre-assembled product displays that are shipped and stocked on retail floor pallets for easy merchandising.
• Point of Purchase (POP) Displays – Eye-catching in-store marketing displays designed to boost product visibility and sales.
• Powder Coating – A dry finishing process where powdered paint is applied electrostatically and cured for a durable finish.
• Protective Packaging – Customized packaging solutions designed to prevent damage during storage and transit.
• Process Capability (Cp, Cpk) – A statistical measure of how well a manufacturing process produces products within specification limits.

Q

• Quality Assurance (QA) – Processes designed to ensure products consistently meet defined standards.
• Quality Control (QC) – Inspection and testing procedures that monitor product quality at various stages of production.

R

• Repackaging – The process of placing products into new packaging, often for rebranding, compliance, or correction purposes.
• Rust Removal – The elimination of oxidation and corrosion from metal surfaces to restore product integrity.
• Return Material Authorization (RMA) – A process for returning defective or non-compliant products for rework or replacement.

S

• Sequencing – Arranging components in a specific order for easier assembly or fulfillment.
• Sorting – Organizing items based on defined criteria such as defects, size, or material type.
• Stapling – Using metal staples to fasten materials securely together.
• Shrink Wrapping – Applying heat-shrinkable plastic film around a product or package for protection and stability.

T

• Temporary Labor – Short-term workforce solutions designed to meet fluctuating business demands.
• Thread Chasing – Cleaning or repairing the threads on screws, bolts, or fasteners to ensure proper fit.
• Total Quality Management (TQM) – A company-wide approach to long-term success through customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.
• Tunnel Shrink Wrap – A packaging method where heat is applied in a tunnel system to shrink a plastic film around products.

U

• Unit Load Device (ULD) – A pallet or container used to transport goods securely in bulk.

V

• Value-Added Services (VAS) – Additional services such as labeling, repackaging, kitting, or assembly that improve a product before it reaches consumers.
• Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) – A supply chain management practice where suppliers take responsibility for maintaining inventory levels.

W

• WOSB Certification – A designation recognizing a business as a Women-Owned Small Business, granting eligibility for government contracts and business advantages.
• Wet Glue Application – A packaging method using liquid adhesive for securing product components or displays.
• Work in Progress (WIP) – Products that are partially completed and still require additional work before final packaging or shipping.

X

• X-Ray Inspection – A non-destructive quality control method used to detect foreign materials or structural issues inside a product.

Y

• Yield Rate – The percentage of manufactured units that meet quality standards without requiring rework.

Z

• Zinc Coating – A metal finishing process that applies a layer of zinc to protect steel or iron from rust and corrosion.