At a Glance
In January 2023, A-Gas launched its Business Excellence (BEx) Programme. Our Executive Team initiated the project to improve consistency and collaboration across our operations and enhance the services that we offer our customers.
Following the project’s successful pilot in the USA, it was launched at our site in Eygelshoven, the Netherlands. Working with our long-term partner and specialist consultancy firm Turner & Townsend Suiko (T&T Suiko), our teams began identifying and implementing changes that maximise our capabilities.
Challenges
- Improving the business to meet our customers’ needs and be the supplier of choice.
- Simplifying A-Gas’ processes to be as efficient, effective and productive as possible.
- Increasing communication and collaboration between teams across the A-Gas site in the Netherlands.
Benefits
- Establishing an effective framework for continuous improvement (CI) across all operations at the Eygelshoven site.
- Securing and collaborating with customers as partners.
- Enabling colleagues to develop their skills through the Business Excellence Academy.
- Maintaining better system accuracy, communication and technological capabilities.
Solution
The project began with an evaluation of the teams’ current processes and identifying areas for improvement. Then, following T&T Suiko’s guidance, colleagues established a framework to improve operational consistency, reduce project delivery times and develop customer-focused practices.
Results
So far successes include making our customer-focused operations more efficient, improving communication and maximising the capability of our equipment. 30% of our employees have completed the Lean Thinking Level 1A training, the first stage of A-Gas’ BEx Academy, making them well-equipped to deliver on the project’s aims.
With a goal based very much around the team, the people and improving ways of working, and coaching and demonstrating the methodology of Lean, it was exciting to work with A-Gas through a hands-on approach. For me, the highlight as we progressed was seeing the team grow, and seeing some of the team who did not think it would work then becoming ambassadors of Business Excellence, new ways of working and stepping up to lead the daily reviews. Well done to everyone.”
Michelle Birchall, T&T Suiko’s Associate Director, said, “With a goal very much based around the team, the people and improving ways of working - and coaching and demonstrating the methodology of Lean - it was exciting to work with A-Gas through a hands-on approach.
From day one, getting to know them and seeing and listening to their frustrations, we were able to foster a great relationship, working together to help the team realise their own ideas and enact change at a site level. We had some great results on production improvements and the financial bottom line, which ultimately made their jobs easier.
For me, the highlight as we progressed through the 12 months was seeing the team grow. It was great to see some of the team who did not think it would work then becoming ambassadors of Business Excellence, new ways of working and stepping up to lead the Daily Reviews. Well done to everyone on-site.”
Our internal teams are also noticing the benefits of the project already. Carla Martins Nunes, Head of Site and Operations, A-Gas in the Netherlands, said, “The teams’ adoption of BEx and CI initiatives over the last year has been fantastic. Our collaboration with T&T Suiko has been pivotal in this success with the team now self-sufficient and planning, directing and evaluating their own improvement strategy.
The CI model A-Gas has adopted through T&T Suiko is yielding great results and guiding the team to embrace the cultural change and adopt a Continuous Improvement Lean mindset.”
Read the Full Case Study
The Business Excellence Programme will help us deliver better results for our customers, maximise our teams' potential and provide responsible solutions.
