Visit to Chinese RIB Factory

[btot1]

So I am an expat living in China and I happen to live about an hour away from a dozen or so RIB factories. This Saturday I will be taking a tour of one of those factories.

They should have a few completed boats: anything in particular I should be looking for and taking pictures of for quality assessment?... Or just general interest?

I'll post pictures and some video links into this thread next week after I go.

[smallribber]

Now I for one will be interested to see you pics and videos etc

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Bigplumbs

Now I for one will be interested to see you pics and videos etc

.....There is always One!

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Maximus

.....There is always One!

You posted so that makes at least 2

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Maximus

.....There is always One!

Well, you can add another one to that.

[ShinyShoe]

OK. But none of you have actually said what it is that he needs to look for.

I guess my 8 year old could go to the factory. Look round. Come out and tell me it was amazing. I would say he could take pictures but likely they would be of his shoes!

What do people want to see...?

Under deck layouts? Materials? Transoms? Stringers?

Is it finish? Or methods?

Is it QA on process - needs questions >> how do they check mixes of resin etc?

Where do people feel corners get cut on these supposedly cheaper inferior Chinese boats?

[Phil M]

I'd be more interested in how processes are managed, particularly regarding cleanliness, preparation, temperature and humidity control, repeatability of mixing/application of glues and resins etc. The sort of stuff that means quality is consistent rather than a good product one day but a poor one the next because it was raining.

Not that I'm after a Chinese boat, but I'm from a manufacturing background and am just interested in that sort of thing.

Phil M

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Phil M

I'd be more interested in how processes are managed, particularly regarding cleanliness, preparation, temperature and humidity control, repeatability of mixing/application of glues and resins etc. The sort of stuff that means quality is consistent rather than a good product one day but a poor one the next because it was raining.

Not that I'm after a Chinese boat, but I'm from a manufacturing background and am just interested in that sort of thing.

Phil M

Or you could...Just take a look at the Absolute Shite they've produced so far....should answer your questions
Or .....ask Kerny...Hadd... And plenty of others on here of their actual experiences....with de lamination and structural defects after Maiden voyages!....not to mention the Mediteraian Migrants who's Low life People Traffickers buy massive inflatables from China by the Container load!..many of which don't even last long enough for them to be "rescued"

Of course a trip to any of the Top British Makers would show you how it's meant to be done

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Well, you can add another one to that.

Well....I suppose you having a Humber?....
.....

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Just take a look at the Absolute Shite they've produced so far....should answer your questions
Or .....ask Kerny...Hadd... And plenty of others on here of their actual experiences....with de lamination and structural defects after Maiden voyages!....

So where delaminated?

Originally Posted by Maximus

not to mention the Mediteraian Migrants who's Low life People Traffickers buy massive inflatables from China by the Container load!..many of which don't even last long enough for them to be "rescued"

So are they RIBs or giant SIBs? I get the impression they might be ?6-7m SIBs but I'm guessing from distant pictures. But do we know 'how' these fail? I've never got the impression that was a manufacturing defect - if you design a boat for 12 people and so scum bag puts 30 on it and then takes it across sea that it was probably never intended for either... ...I'm not sure you can blame the manufacturer or the designer.

Originally Posted by Maximus

Of course a trip to any of the Top British Makers would show you how it's meant to be done

Well actually - it would show what they want to show... the same as the chinese one will.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

So where delaminated?


So are they RIBs or giant SIBs? I get the impression they might be ?6-7m SIBs but I'm guessing from distant pictures. But do we know 'how' these fail? I've never got the impression that was a manufacturing defect - if you design a boat for 12 people and so scum bag puts 30 on it and then takes it across sea that it was probably never intended for either... ...I'm not sure you can blame the manufacturer or the designer.


Well actually - it would show what they want to show... the same as the chinese one will.

Just Crack on and buy one....and the Best of British!

[lakelandterrier]

Coming back to the OP question, as some have said I'd be interested in
Quality of materials
How the hull is laid out -stringers, X-members, transom
How consoles / pods are attached to hull
How tubes are attached
QA systems & consistency in build
And very importantly what do the workers think they are building - mass production with little care, or craftspeople dedicated to quality product ?- it's the culture of the organisation that drives all else.
Noticeboards & internal comms are often very insightful places to look to understand what's important to the operation.
Do let us know what you see

[willk]

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

Noticeboards & internal comms are often very insightful places to look to understand what's important to the operation.
Do let us know what you see

Mandarin characters?

[btot1]

I wanted to post here because I have read where most everyone stands A critical eye is what I need help with. As with anything in China they can make crap and they make quality but in the end they make everything.

[Eric]

Take pictures of any equipment that is used to produce their RIBS

[Pikey Dave]

Is the place clean & tidy, what is the level & quality of the PPE of the workforce? If they cut corners on H&S, then sure as eggs is ouefs, they will cut corners on quality. Where are the finished products stored, are they stacked outside in the rain? Is there any obvious QA system in place & is it working? Is there a place where the rejects are stored/scrapped? ARE there any rejects at all, or does everything get through.

[smallribber]

Just take as many pics as is sensible and post them here.

Ignore all the Chinese is crap brigade. Let us see the pics and we can judge for ourselves

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Bigplumbs

Just take as many pics as is sensible and post them here.

Ignore all the Chinese is crap brigade. Let us see the pics and we can judge for ourselves

I find myself agreeing with you, again! Bloody ell!

[beamishken]

Personally I dont think a factory visit will prove conclusively either way whether the product is good or not.
You could have the cleanest most well equipped factory that looks the part and still produce shite or have a scruffy untidy workshop that produces a great product.
The acid test of a boat isnt what it looks like when leaving the factory but what its like 5 years down the line.
So far the Chinese manufactured European QC'd sibs and small ribs are quite good. However the Chinese marketed ones seem shite, clearly they have the potential to make good products but to date unless sourced by European companies they seem to fail.
Excel ribeye (tender range) honwave all come from china and stand the test of time and I'd happily buy any of them.
Having seen the horror stories re Chinese marketed boats then i think their shite reputation is deserved and wouldnt touch them with a barge pole.
It would take several years of seeing how a particular brand performed before I'd change my opinion that Chinese marketed boats are to be avoided like the plague.

[gpsguru]

Hmmm .......Before I retired I have been on Chinese factory visits

When you have finished the factory tour where they show you what they want you to see .............. ask if you can go around the back to the area where they throw together the 'knock-offs' ............