Company: Akzo Nobel Coating
Sector: Process Industry
Key Tools or Services; Continuous Improvement Leader Training
Results include:
- 12 Internal Continuous Improvement Leaders trained to facilitate improvement activities across Europe
- Knowledge disseminated across the workforces of sites involved
- Netherlands site nominated for the final of the safest warehouse
- Stock accuracies significantly improved across stores areas through adopting 5S principles
- In excess of 250 man hours saved through increased right first time
- New product introduction process currently being piloted reducing number of steps in the process from 54 to 6.
Project Overview
This client engaged Picme to facilitate improvement work in the early stage of their lean improvement programme at one of their UK sites in 2002. Picme transferred the skills of applying the tools and techniques to the clients Improvement Manager who then went on to successfully roll out improvements across their European sites.
Following significant improvements the client identified that increased benefits could be realised and pace increased if the facilitation for change was driven at a local level. The local teams were finding it difficult to balance the day to day fire fighting and focus on improvement activities effectively.
The client decided to appoint a Continuous Improvement Leader for each European site and engaged Picme to train them to a very high level of capability and ability so that they can be instrumental in moving the people and business forward.
The Continuous Improvement Leader programme transferred the continuous improvement methodology and skills that Picme has developed through practice in a wide range of organisations across the process industry to the European Continuous Improvement Leaders.
The training consisted of a series of interactive modules made up of theory, practical exercises and real life implementation, in order to ensure the topic and it’s application has been fully understood.
The topics covered included Continuous Improvement Overview, Change Management, Continuous Improvement Leader Skills and Application of Tools & Techniques such as Problem Solving, Visual Management, Standard Work, TPM and Quality Tools.
“PICME’s training programme has given our CI Leaders the much needed support based on education (the why) and application (the doing). Its not just about the tools and techniques, it’s also about the people. The training has given us the skills to continually improve all areas of our business which has resulted in significant demonstrable benefits” – European Improvement Manager