Calibration Lab Best Practices Every Manufacturer Should Demand 

When it comes to calibration, accuracy is only the beginning. For manufacturers in high-stakes sectors like aerospace, life sciences, and defense, choosing the right calibration lab directly affects compliance, reliability, and long-term operational performance. 

But true lab excellence goes beyond precision. It requires foresight, customer alignment, and measurable real-world impact. With more than 60 years in the industry, SIMCO has a deep understanding of what leading labs do differently—and why that matters. 

To spotlight the practices that separate top-tier labs from the rest, we’re outlining what manufacturers should expect from a calibration partner—and how SIMCO delivers on those expectations every step of the way. 

What the Best Labs Clarify First: Calibration vs. Adjustment 

One of the most overlooked indicators of a high-performing calibration lab is its ability to clearly communicate the distinction between calibration and adjustment. These terms are often misunderstood, but it’s the lab’s responsibility to ensure there’s no confusion. 

• A calibration is a check—a comparison of a device’s performance against a known standard to confirm whether it meets the manufacturer’s stated specifications. 

• An adjustment is a correction, only performed if the instrument falls outside of tolerance. 

That distinction matters. A successful calibration without adjustment isn’t a failure—it’s confirmation that the equipment is functioning as intended. And when an adjustment is needed, it must be clearly documented for traceability. 

How SIMCO Leads
At SIMCO, every calibration is accompanied by clear documentation. If an instrument is found out of tolerance and adjusted, that change is recorded on the calibration certificate. This gives customers confidence in performance, ensures readiness for compliance reviews, and helps assess any potential product implications. 

Where others may bundle services or gloss over what’s been done, SIMCO’s transparency builds trust and reduces uncertainty, especially in regulated environments where documentation can’t be vague. 

What the Leading Labs Catch Early: Out-of-Tolerance Risk 

Proactive risk detection is one of the most essential services a calibration lab can offer, especially around out-of-tolerance (OOT) events. High-performing labs confirm measurement accuracy and help customers understand the operational significance of any deviations. 

If a device later found to be out of tolerance was used in manufacturing, say for a medical catheter, manufacturers need a clear path to trace affected batches and take corrective action. That requires documentation systems and support structures that go beyond the test bench. 

How SIMCO Leads
At SIMCO, OOT findings are never just logged and filed—they’re analyzed, contextualized, and used to guide next steps. Our support includes: 

• Clear documentation of every OOT event 

• Traceability between the asset and its production use 

• Guidance to assess product reach and potential impact 

• Support in identifying patterns that help reduce repeat OOTs 

Whether you’re scaling up or managing a complex compliance environment, SIMCO equips you to respond decisively and minimize operational risk. 

Where Top Labs Start Strong: Customized Onboarding 

The most effective calibration programs don’t start with service—they start with alignment. Onboarding is where goals are clarified, workflows are mapped, and compliance risks are addressed upfront. 

A templated or generic setup can lead to missed expectations, rework, and audit exposure. That’s why high-performing labs treat onboarding as a strategic phase, not just a transition point. 

This isn’t about setting up service and establishing trust. When onboarding is done right, it eliminates ambiguity, supports compliance needs, and ensures that every calibration meets the customer’s operational requirements. 

How SIMCO Leads
SIMCO approaches onboarding as a collaborative effort, customizing every program to reflect regulatory requirements, asset priorities, and operational needs. Our process includes: 

• Transition planning with dedicated onboarding teams 

• Configuration of intervals and service protocols 

• Clear documentation standards from day one 

• Iterative reviews to optimize performance early on 

By doing the hard work upfront, a lab sets the foundation for consistent results, fewer surprises, and long-term success. 

What High-Performing Labs Embed: Lean Six Sigma Thinking 

Excellence in calibration calls for repeatability, efficiency, and continuous improvement. That’s where Lean 6 Sigma principles come in. The most advanced labs aren’t waiting for problems to surface; they’re designing systems to eliminate waste, streamline operations, and reduce variability before it affects quality or cost. 

In many calibration environments, process inefficiencies go unnoticed or unresolved because improvement isn’t prioritized. Leading labs take a different approach. They apply Lean 6 Sigma thinking internally and in collaboration with their customers—identifying pain points, analyzing patterns, and co-creating solutions that deliver measurable savings. 

These aren’t one-off optimizations. They’re systemic, data-informed changes that lead to long-term gains in both compliance and cost control. 

How SIMCO Leads
At SIMCO, Lean Six Sigma isn’t an afterthought—it’s embedded into our culture. More than half of our technical staff and leadership are Lean Six Sigma certified, ranging from Yellow Belts to Black Belts. This training enables us to: 

• Continuously evaluate and improve lab workflows 

• Partner with customers to identify improvement opportunities 

• Lead structured projects that reduce calibration costs over time 

• Deliver double-digit savings through data-driven process redesign 

Whether it’s helping consolidate decentralized operations or automating documentation to reduce manual errors, a lab should apply Lean principles to ensure every calibration program is as efficient as it is accurate. 

What the Labs Provide Beyond Measurement: Real Repair Support 

Top-tier calibration labs help customers extend the life of their assets through proactive, practical repair capabilities. In complex industries like aerospace and defense, where equipment may be costly, customized, or even obsolete, simply replacing an instrument isn’t always an option. That’s where comprehensive repair support becomes essential. 

The best labs understand that service continuity depends not just on calibration, but on keeping critical tools in working condition. From cosmetic case repairs to functional refurbishments, they invest in the capabilities needed to restore equipment, rather than retire it prematurely. 

This is especially valuable in programs where long-life assets are the norm and downtime isn’t negotiable. A cracked case or damaged component shouldn’t derail an entire production line. 

How SIMCO Leads
SIMCO delivers robust repair support as a core part of its service offering, not an afterthought. This includes: 

• Functional repairs and refurbishment of complex instruments 

• Sourcing or producing obsolete or hard-to-source components 

• On-site case repairs for C.A.R.E. program customers, including hinges, handles, and feet 

• Integrated repair options that complement calibration, minimizing disruption 

By combining repair expertise with calibration precision, labs help customers maintain equipment uptime, reduce replacement costs, and avoid sourcing headaches. 

What the Top Labs Enable with Tech: Tools That Clarify, Not Complicate 

Digital tools have the potential to transform how calibration programs are managed—but only if they enhance clarity, not complexity. Too often, asset management platforms are packed with features but lack usability, leaving teams overwhelmed or underutilizing the systems they’re given. 

Top-performing labs know that software should serve the workflow, not disrupt it. The best platforms offer real-time visibility, accessible reporting, and seamless communication between service teams and compliance owners. More importantly, they’re supported by people who ensure the tools are actually used, and used well. 

When calibration data is actionable and accessible, teams can plan proactively, manage risk, and demonstrate compliance with confidence. 

How SIMCO Leads
SIMCO’s customer-facing platform, C4, was designed to give customers control without confusion. It delivers transparency into program performance while streamlining everyday tasks. SIMCO backs the technology with practical training and support, ensuring adoption is never left to chance. Key features include: 

• Real-time tracking of calibration status, due dates, and OOT events 

• Easy-to-use dashboards tailored to user roles 

• Configurable reports aligned with customer-specific compliance needs 

• Human support to ensure the platform works for every team, not just IT 

Labs should treat software as part of the service experience, helping customers reduce risk and stay audit-ready with less effort. 

What Sustains Long-Term Value: A Customer-First Mission 

Any lab can claim to care about customers, but the ones that truly stand apart design their entire service model around that principle. In practice, that means prioritizing long-term partnerships over short-term transactions, and building programs that adapt, improve, and respond—because customer needs aren’t static. 

Labs should listen, anticipate, and evolve. They deliver insights that help manufacturers make smarter decisions, while meeting (or exceeding) regulatory minimums. Whether it’s adjusting calibration intervals based on historical performance or customizing reports for audit readiness, these labs make customer success a measurable, operational priority. 

How SIMCO Leads
At SIMCO, customer-first thinking isn’t a value—it’s a mandate. It shapes how we build programs, train teams, and measure success. Our service model is structured to support long-term outcomes, not just technical deliverables. That includes: 

• Tailored reporting that reflects customer-specific compliance needs 

• Ongoing performance analysis to adjust calibration intervals with confidence 

• Dedicated success teams focused on proactive communication and continuous improvement 

• A post-sale engagement model that extends beyond onboarding into every service touchpoint 

A lab’s commitment to customer success should be embedded in how it operates. From daily lab execution to strategic program support, it should build relationships that last and results that speak for themselves. 

If your calibration lab isn’t helping you reduce risk, drive efficiency, and meet evolving standards, it’s not helping you lead. At SIMCO, we build calibration programs that go beyond the basics to support your success from day one. 

Ready to talk about lab best practices that actually make a difference? Reach out today for a quote and learn more about how SIMCO is here to help you future-proof your calibration program.