Audit Spotlight Plumbing & Fluid Technology Industrial Press Tools

Comprehensive Factory Audit for Precision Press Tools

Luckee conducted a full on-site audit of a Taizhou hydraulic press tool manufacturer on behalf of ATS Proequipment UK — verifying CNC production capability, component traceability, quality systems, and product range completeness.

ATS Proequipment (UK)
Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
1 Full Day On-Site
Capability & Quality System
Audit Verdict
APPROVED
A
Production Capability
A
Facility & Equipment
B+
Quality System
A
Traceability
6+ VMC Lines
CNC Machining Centres Observed
20+ SKUs
Press Die Sizes Confirmed
3 Standards
M-Series, V-Series & ANSI
0 Critical
No Critical Findings

What ATS Proequipment Needed Verified

ATS Proequipment supplies professional-grade plumbing and fluid technology press tools to the UK trade market. Before committing to a new supply relationship, they needed independent confirmation that their prospective manufacturer in Taizhou could consistently deliver to the precision tolerances and product range their customers expect.

The audit brief had three primary objectives: verify that the factory's CNC production capability matched what was presented in sales materials; confirm that component traceability systems were in place to support future QC inspections; and assess whether the factory's product range — spanning multiple press standard series — was genuinely manufactured in-house or assembled from bought-in components.

Luckee conducted the full-day on-site audit independently, with no commercial relationship with the factory. All findings are based on direct observation and documentation review.

Factory
Shuiheng Hydraulic Tools Co., Ltd — Taizhou, Zhejiang
Product Focus
Hydraulic press tools, jaw die sets, press body casings (M / V / U / VAU / ANSI series)
Audit Scope
CNC capability, quality management system, component traceability, product range verification, export documentation
Export Markets
UK, North America (active Chicago PO confirmed on-site), broader EU/global
Shuiheng Hydraulic Tool Precision Workshop sign on-site
The "Hydraulic Tool Precision Workshop" — a dedicated, access-controlled precision area within the main facility. Observed and photographed on audit day.

What We Found On the Floor

Six key domains were assessed during the on-site visit. All findings are based on direct observation and physical document review — not factory-supplied marketing materials.

Production Capability
CNC Machining Capacity Confirmed — Gromax VMC Line
A dedicated row of 6+ Gromax VMC (Vertical Machining Centre) machines was observed in active production. Machines were running with operators present. Work-in-progress components visible confirmed these are used for in-house press tool body machining, not contracted out.
✓ Verified
Production Capability
CNC Turning Centre Line — Fanuc-Controlled Lathes
A separate CNC turning line with multiple lathes running Fanuc-style control systems was observed. Multiple operators were active on shift. Output components (cylindrical press tool casings) were visible in production bins and consistent with the product being audited.
✓ Verified
Facility
Dedicated Precision Workshop — Separated from General Floor
A branded "Hydraulic Tool Precision Workshop" was physically separated from the main machining floor using a perforated metal screen. This controlled environment had numbered workstations (01–06+) with individual digital inspection monitors and anti-fatigue mats — indicating a final assembly and inspection process.
✓ Verified
Component Traceability
In/Out Inventory Cards on Every Component Batch
Foam-padded component trays observed in the warehouse carried in/out inventory tracking cards with batch number, part name, quantity, and date. This is a meaningful traceability system that supports QC inspection cross-checking. Cards were confirmed to match physical stock counts during spot verification.
✓ Verified
Product Range
Full Multi-Standard Die Range Verified In-House
A complete display of press jaw die sets was inspected: M-series (M12, M15, M18, M22, M28), V-series (V12, V15, V18, V22, V28), U-series (U25, U32), VAU-series (VAU15, VAU20, VAU25), and ANSI/ standard sizes (3/4", 1"). All sets were physically present and labelled. This confirms genuine in-house manufacturing across the full product catalogue, not selective assembly.
✓ Verified
Export Capability
Active Export Documentation Observed — North America & UK
Export cartons with completed PO documentation (P.O. #88-1023, CHICAGO, MADE IN CHINA, UPS barcode label) were observed on the warehouse floor. Individual components were individually bagged with Chinese QC labels. This confirms the factory has an established export packing and labelling process for international buyers.
✓ Verified

The Factory Through the Auditor's Lens

All photos were taken by the Luckee auditor during the factory visit. Click any image to enlarge. Captions explain the audit significance of each shot.

Audit Verdict

Supplier Approved for ATS Proequipment

No critical findings were recorded. The factory demonstrated genuine, in-house CNC production capability, a functional component traceability system, active multi-market export operations, and a complete press die range across all required series. We recommended proceeding to sample approval and initial order placement.

Overall Result
APPROVED
A
Production Capability
A
Facility & Equipment
B+
Quality Management System
A
Component Traceability

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