Switching chemical input suppliers 100% at once is the #3 most common mistake in electroplating shops. This article presents the protocol Boreto & Cardoso® developed over 53 years of experience to ensure safe transitions.
Why the Protocol Is Necessary
Chemicals from different suppliers have unique characteristics. Even products with the same nominal specification can behave differently because of:
- Traces of specific impurities
- Different manufacturing processes
- The stabilizers used
- Storage time
Replacing a supplier completely and immediately is like renovating your entire house while you are living in it. It creates instability, rework and losses.
The Common Fatal Mistake
Typical Situation
- An electroplating shop finds a supplier with a "better price"
- It decides to switch 100% of its inputs immediately
- Week 1: Everything is bought from the new supplier
- Week 2: Instabilities start to appear
- Week 3: Rework becomes constant
- Week 4: Losses have wiped out any "savings"
Consequences
Process instability: Parameters that worked perfectly start to fail.
Constant rework: Parts have to be reprocessed, killing productivity.
No way back: With the previous supplier no longer available, correction becomes difficult.
Loss of traceability: No one knows whether the problem lies with the new product or with the process.
The 3-Phase Protocol
Boreto & Cardoso®, serving electroplating shops for 53 years since 1972, developed a protocol that ensures safe transitions.
Phase 1: Document Review
Duration: 1-2 weeks Goal: Confirm the supplier's technical capability
What to Request
Certificates for 3 recent batches:
- They must be batch-specific (not generic)
- Analyses of different batches should vary
- Identical certificates point to fake traceability
Up-to-date SDS:
- In accordance with ABNT NBR 14725:2019 (the Brazilian standard for chemical hazard communication)
- All 16 sections complete
- Valid revision date (maximum of 5 years)
- Technical lead identified
Company certifications:
- ISO 9001 or equivalent
- Environmental licenses
- Registration with the relevant authorities
Business references:
- Contacts of customers in the sector
- Length of relationship
- Feedback on quality
Information on technical structure:
- How quality control is performed
- Equipment available
- Qualified technical team
Approval Criteria
- Complete, organized documentation
- SDS up to date with the standard
- Batch-to-batch variation <3% (indicates real control)
- Verifiable positive references
If it fails: Drop the supplier and look for an alternative. It is not worth the risk.
Phase 2: Pilot Test
Duration: 4 weeks minimum Goal: Confirm real performance in the process
Detailed Protocol
1. Buy a small volume
- Only what is needed for 4 weeks of testing
- Keep the current supplier delivering as usual
2. Basic pre-use analysis
- Visual appearance
- Density (if possible)
- pH (for alkalis)
- Confirms the basic specification
3. Use it in parallel with the current product
- Alternate days: day 1 current, day 2 new, day 3 current...
- Or separate lines if available
- NEVER mix the products
4. Document rigorously
- Process parameters
- Part quality
- Processing time
- Any anomaly observed
- Feedback from the technical team
5. Evaluate after 4 weeks
- Equal or better performance
- No critical problems
- Team comfortable with the change
- Adequate cost-benefit
Approval Criteria
Technical performance:
- Equal or better quality
- Process stability maintained
- Adequate reproducibility
Operational aspects:
- The team approves the product
- No significant difficulties
- Logistics worked properly
Cost-benefit:
- Real savings (not just on price)
- Taking the whole chain into account
If it fails: Thank the supplier and keep the current one. A test that does not pass has done its job of protecting you; it is no failure.
Phase 3: Gradual Transition
Duration: 6 months Goal: Safe replacement while keeping a backup
Transition Strategy
Months 1-2: 30% new, 70% current
- Gradually increase use of the new product
- Monitor quality constantly
- Keep the current supplier delivering
Months 3-4: 50% new, 50% current
- The balance allows continuous comparison
- Detects any deterioration
- Current supplier still active
Months 5-6: 70% new, 30% current
- The new supplier becomes the main one
- The current one becomes the official backup
- A stable system is in place
What to Monitor
Monthly quality:
- Scrap rate
- Rework required
- Customer complaints
Problem log:
- Every anomaly documented
- Root cause analysis
- Corrective actions implemented
Team feedback:
- Technicians comfortable
- Operators adapted
- Management satisfied
Real cost-benefit:
- Savings sustained
- No hidden costs emerging
- ROI as expected
End Result
After 6 months, you have:
- A new supplier that is qualified and reliable
- The previous supplier as an approved backup
- A documented transition
- A trained, comfortable team
- Stable processes
Why Keep a Backup
Single-Source Dependence Is a Risk
A supply problem with a single supplier stops production.
Approved Backup
The previous supplier is already qualified and ready to resume supply if needed.
Alternating Purchases
Keeping the backup active with small periodic purchases maintains the relationship and keeps the product available.
Safety Stock
For critical products, stock covering 30-45 days provides room to maneuver.
The Boreto & Cardoso® Experience
With 53 years serving the Brazilian market since 1972, we developed this protocol based on hundreds of successful transitions.
Our Commitment
Samples for pilot testing: We provide a suitable volume for qualification.
Documentation in advance: Certificates and SDS available before purchase.
Commercial flexibility: Terms suited to the transition phase.
Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Rushing
Cutting the protocol short to save time leads to bigger problems later.
Mistake 2: Insufficient Testing
4 weeks is the minimum to catch problems that only appear with continuous use.
Mistake 3: Dropping the Previous Supplier
Dropping the current supplier before the transition is complete is an unnecessary risk.
Mistake 4: Not Documenting
Without proper records, it is impossible to identify the causes of problems.
Mistake 5: Ignoring the Team
Technicians and operators notice valuable things that management may miss.
Complete Checklist
Phase 1: Document Review
- Certificates for 3 recent batches requested
- SDS up to date with ABNT 14725:2019
- Company certifications verified
- Business references checked
- Technical structure assessed
- Batch-to-batch variation <3% confirmed
- Decision: Approve or drop
Phase 2: Pilot Test
- Small volume purchased (4 weeks)
- Basic pre-use analysis performed
- Parallel-use system set up
- Rigorous documentation in place
- Full 4 weeks completed
- Performance evaluated objectively
- Team consulted and in agreement
- Decision: Proceed or thank the supplier
Phase 3: Gradual Transition
- 6-month schedule established
- Months 1-2: 30/70 completed
- Months 3-4: 50/50 completed
- Months 5-6: 70/30 completed
- Quality monitored monthly
- Problems documented and resolved
- Cost-benefit sustained
- Previous supplier kept as backup
Conclusion
A 3-phase qualification protocol may seem long, but it is the time needed to ensure a safe transition. Haste and short-term savings lead to bigger losses.
Boreto & Cardoso®, with 53 years of experience since 1972, provides documentation in advance, suitable samples and complete certificates of analysis to make the qualification process easier.
Get in Touch
Boreto & Cardoso® Ltda
📞 Head Office: (11) 3931-1722, (11) 2366-6260, WhatsApp (11) 99108-2229, (19) 97685-0233 📞 Limeira Branch: (19) 99458-6331 📱 Branch WhatsApp: (19) 99557-1693 📧 boreto@boreto.com.br
📍 Head Office: R. Alagoas, 30, Santana de Parnaíba/SP, 06530-245 📍 Branch: R. Aratibá, 759, Limeira/SP, 13481-208
🕐 Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Boreto & Cardoso®: A reliable partner in safe transitions for 53 years.
Note to the reader
This article brings together technical information drawn from various sources, with the aim of broadening knowledge about the raw materials mentioned.
It is informational material only and does not represent any indication of application, formulation or direct recommendation of use on the part of Boreto & Cardoso.
Boreto & Cardoso®, with 53 years of experience, operates strictly in the supply of chemical inputs for a wide range of applications, and it is up to each user to verify the suitability and compliance of their application.