Supplier pool ensures a uniform quality standard in the cleanroom

Reliable and flexible suppliers for cleanroom equipment, consumables, and reprocessing are crucial for the quality of cleanroom cleaning. A dedicated supplier pool established specifically for cleanroom orders ensures that Piepenbrock implements these standards nationwide with the same cleaning quality.

The quality of cleanroom cleaning is a key factor in the production of sensitive products. In addition to proper execution of cleaning, the choice of suitable materials and their reprocessing are also important. "We must consider that there are specific requirements for materials for each cleanroom class and each type of production," reports Norbert Gürke, Head of Cleanroom Cleaning at Piepenbrock. To guarantee a uniform standard in cleanroom cleaning across Germany, his department, together with procurement, developed and established a supplier pool that all branches can access for all cleanroom orders nationwide. For this purpose, the responsible buyers were initially trained regarding the specific requirements in the cleanroom. "It was important to us that the staff responsible for sourcing materials gain a comprehensive understanding of cleanroom standards so they can identify with the service," says Gürke.

Strict selection criteria

"First, we contacted all reputable suppliers of cleanroom equipment, consumables, and reprocessing of clothing and wiping cloths, and inquired about specific features. This way, we determined which supplier is capable of providing what and which products they can deliver," describes the cleanroom expert about the process of building the supplier pool. The criteria for including a supplier in the network were diverse. "For us as a nationwide service provider, it was particularly important that our suppliers are capable of covering logistics across the entire country. One of the most important decision criteria was the quality of the products. In such a sensitive task as cleanroom cleaning, material price is not a top priority," Gürke explains. Other influencing factors included, for example, innovation willingness, flexibility, responsiveness, and service readiness regarding short-term and special requests. "It was important for us that our partners can respond quickly to special requests from our customers and present us with various options," Gürke adds.

Always informed about material changes

Since even minimal changes in consumables, cleaning, and disinfectant agents can affect the quality of the produced product in the cleanroom, Piepenbrock bases every service partnership in the cleanroom on a Change Control. This means that the building service provider informs its customers about even minor changes in the composition of used cleaning and disinfectant agents, consumables, and equipment. "Of course, this only works if our suppliers keep us updated. That’s why we have also made a Change Control a prerequisite for collaboration," says Gürke. This is especially important for the cleaning chemicals used. Even a slight change in their composition can impact the product if, for example, the agent reacts with the product being manufactured. The fact that a company commits to such a Change Control was ultimately also decisive in the supplier selection process.

Equally reliable and flexible at the same time

The development of a supplier pool does not exclude Piepenbrock from responding to customer-specific requirements regarding different products or cleaning and disinfectant agents. "If the customer brings their own specifications or standard procedures that require the use of special cleanroom materials, we are, of course, always able to use these products—even outside our own standards," says Gürke. Piepenbrock itself has high standards regarding the technical functionality and cost-effectiveness of the materials used. "Before deployment, each product undergoes a strictly defined coordination and approval process between our cleanroom department, technical management, and procurement," explains Gürke. For customers without specific requirements regarding product selection, Piepenbrock’s cleanroom experts provide consulting support. Overall, Norbert Gürke considers a clear concept for supplier selection, but above all for the quality of cleanroom cleaning, to be important: "Ultimately, this ensures that cleanroom equipment, consumables, and their reprocessing work seamlessly together, allowing us to deliver our services across Germany with a consistent quality level."