Quality
MSC Industrial Supply has built reliable internal processes to assure our products and services offer exceptional value to our customer.

Statistical Quality Control and Reporting
Our Quality systems employ documented, measurable processes that support our mission to be the best. Each process output is reviewed continuously by our staff of QA auditors and technicians. Statistical tools are employed that give us directional focus to continually improve what we do to support our customer. Out of limit process yields or discrepant conditions trigger corrective action.

MSC Industrial Supply uses a variety of quality measurements in different areas of the Company, especially in our Customer Fulfillment Centers (CFC). "Internal" measures include inbound item accuracy, inventory, stocking location and outbound package accuracy. "External" or customer-reported measures include customer comment cards, customer returns and on-time delivery. Quality metrics are audited continuously and the results are reviewed with Senior Management weekly.

Key Processes
Product Inspections
MSC Industrial Supply performs a variety of inspections to ensure our customer's order accuracy. To ensure we are always processing the right item, an inbound inspection is performed as items are received and then verified again by our inbound coordinators. Outbound orders are 100% electronically verified by our packaging department and subject to our outbound audit.

Supplier Performance measures
Supplier performance is tracked and analyzed through MSC Industrial Supply's STARS System. Suppliers are measured on the following criteria: acceptance at receiving inspection, on-time delivery, invoice accuracy, direct ship accuracy and the number of customer returns due to defective items. This data is provided to suppliers and is used to drive improvements in our supplier base.

Corrective Action Systems
MSC Industrial Supply maintains documented processes for implementing formal corrective actions both internally, as well as with our supplier base.

Packing and Shipping
Orders flow through our validation process in which individual items are scanned. Counts are captured in our system to prevent the processing of incomplete or inaccurate orders. After the packing process is complete, our Quality Assurance team performs package audits on a sample basis. The orders are checked for item accuracy, quantity, packaging and documentation. Proper and/or protective packaging and labeling is prepared in accordance with the MSC Industrial Supply packaging and labeling procedures. This assures that proper packing methods are followed and provides MSC Industrial Supply with a tool for measuring our overall accuracy of outbound shipments.

Customer Returns
All customer returns are sent by the customer to designated Return Centers and are inspected 100 percent for identity, count, packaging, damage, documentation and reason for return. All returns are dispositioned within 24 hours. Credit data is captured and used to drive quality improvements and cost of quality measurements.

About Our Quality Assurance Team
Our associates have the education, training and dedication to insure MSC Industrial Supply is continually striving to be the best industrial distributor in the world. In order to be sure our experts are at the top of their game, we regularly participate in training, development and education in a wide range of disciplines. You can be assured that the QA team at MSC Industrial Supply is focused on, and capable of, delivering the expected results to our customer.