smarter business solutions.

Turners Beach’s Berry Patch’s Lean Journey

‘The Berry Patch has embarked on a continuous improvement process throughout our business.

This has largely been driven by my belief that our business and our industry needs to improve our customer service and the delivery of value to them. This process will result in a better customer experience and our products should be more competitively priced and consistent in quality.

I expect our business to gain from a more content and engaged workforce and a more efficient operation due to a reduction in waste. I also believe that if this process is widely adopted in our region it can help us to be recognised as the premier destination for nature and agri tourism.
Our experiences with the Lean Leaders training course has been very positive, the SWE in particular has demonstrated, even to the sceptics that by continuous incremental improvements we can overcome many obstacles and improve our output whilst enjoying our work and reducing frustrations. We are seeing the training and understanding of the process result in a lot of increased efficiencies. Our storage areas are much smaller and easier to manage, our work processes are more consistent and simpler to train for a new operator. Our staff are implementing changes themselves and these are evolving as they are tested and improved.

The staff at Productivity Improvers have been very helpful. Their belief and enthusiasm for the Lean Process is very genuine and once our staff have completed the training this enthusiasm becomes infectious.
We still have a long way to go, not everyone is yet fully onboard but we are moving in a very satisfying direction.
I recommend this training to anyone considering implementing a Lean strategy and welcome any enquiries regarding The Berry Patch’s Lean journey.’
Regards

Craig Morris

Redpath Mining – everyone is on the Lean Team

‘A culture of Continuous Improvement is a cornerstone of what makes Redpath Australia differentiate itself from our competitors. This culture needs to be embraced at all levels, especially by our diverse workforce that live and breathe the physical work we deliver and offer us the most valuable ideas for improvement. This course has changed the way our key supervisors/management approach their work each day, creating passion for challenging the way we do things, and chasing the inefficiencies out of our business through very simple processes. The course was a perfect balance of theory, practical implementation and seeing real-life implementations.’

Rory Burke
General Manager – Metalliferous
REDPATH MINING AUSTRALIA

Team Building Sessions at Forrestfield Western Australia

Productivity Improvers have been delivering Lean Production System training at Gemco Rail W.A. for some years now, and recently used the Lean Car Game to share concepts which the Gemco Team could test before taking them to their workplace.

Results from the Gemco Rail 2030 Strategy feedback sessions called out the need for improved teamwork and further Lean training. The team at Forrestfield organised some off-site training sessions that addressed these issues. The training involves the team manufacturing a model racing car. It is an interactive training system used to promote Lean Production System principles and enhance continuous improvement initiatives. Learning is enhanced through using a hands-on approach, the training has a much higher success rate than sitting in a classroom environment. The training is designed to improve the participates knowledge in the following

• Team building.
• Effective communication.
• Cross functional collaboration.
• Productive planning.
• Leading effective teams.
• Continuous improvement initiatives, including 5S.
• One piece flow production systems.
• Identify and reduce waste.
• Value stream mapping.
• Root cause analysis.
• Supply chain effectiveness.
• Reduce process variability.
• Active listening and idea generation.
• Identifying and setting performance targets.
• Acting decisively.

The concepts presented in the Lean Car game relate directly to the Lean Production System training that Productivity Improvers have been delivering at Gemco Rail and provides the team with the ability to test out the theories before taking them to the workshop/workplace.

These exercises and observations provide the class with discussion material that will be used to explore:

• Value Adding and Non-Value Adding activities associated with each flow type, learning to identify the 9 wastes of Lean
• Effects of each flow on quality,
• Ideas that form the basis for continuous improvement and Kaizen event ideas
• Teamwork and the importance of everyone’s input of ideas
• Work balance and Takt Time concepts
• Point of Use (POU) shop inventories and tool storage methods
• Value stream mapping and spaghetti mapping techniques
• The value of standard work procedures

The feedback from the participants was very favourable, below are some examples of the feedback provided.

“Great course really enjoyed it. The use of production line was very good. It was interesting to see the big differences small changes made to the end outcome thanks”

“First of all, thanks for the training you provided me! I leant today, how the systematic working arrangements make work very easy and safely. Also feels very good quality can be achieved. “

“In my opinion, it is a very good course, and I would like to participate in further. It was good team spirit, and it should continue in the workplace as well to help make Gemco Rail a better place to work! “

“I think today’s training was useful and I would be happy to do this in the future!”

“Great job boys, a lot learnt today. Enjoyed it fully. A lot of stuff I did not know.”

“I think the best technique I’ve learnt about in this training is to listen/Co Operate & team work to make any job easy.Listen to anyone’s idea and apply to any job”

Testimonial Huon Aquaculture to Michael Bonney

The recent training, implementation of 5S and CI have without a doubt played a major part in us achieving an excellent result for these audits.

Thanks.

Simon Fraser | Factory Manager
Huon Aquaculture Group Limited

A quick note to say thank you for the excellent SWE training I attended this week in Burnie

Please pass on my thanks to Nigel and all the rest of the team – Wednesday was very professionally ran and I think everyone learnt loads, not to mention enjoying themselves! Also please thank Aaron for his fantastic tour at BridgePro – again very interesting to see how you apply lean to different workplaces.

RICHARD
PACKING SPECIALIST
FOOD WHOLESALE

Local Government staff learn Lean is for Office

Hi Clynton,

Just to provide a bit of positive feedback on the delivery of your training.

You used a combination and mixed of training tools and methods (powerpoint and booklet for visual learners), you asked questions for group participation which facilitated adult learning, used SWE which made learning hands-on and practical for tactile learners, quizzes which made learning fun yet inclusive and encouraging at the same time. You engaged everyone in discussions and had us working in groups so no one felt exposed or threatened if they struggled to put pen to paper (You provided a ‘safe’ learning environment). You are genuine in your enthusiasm for productivity improving for the workers/employees and not just about helping businesses make more money (get more from less) and you are honest about who you are and your journey.

I know you haven’t asked for a score but I thought I will give one for your training delivery : 9/10 (Just so you know where you stand haha and can continuously improve ;p and FYI, I am a harsh critic, because having been a training facilitator, I am very respectful of participants’ time and am easily annoyed at trainers with little understanding about how adults learn)

And please thank Leigh Whiteley (I haven’t got his new email address) Simon and I had a great time at Wynyard with Richard Harding, to see LEAN operating in real workplace, we asked tons of questions.

Thanks again for the past three days.

Best regards,

Nani Clark B.Ec
Regional Development Project Officer

Testimonials

Videos are a great way to make sure we are ‘Keeping it Visual’. Read more to link to our YouTube channel where you can hear first hand from our students.

Learn about the Simulated Work Environment Burnie

See the changes made at Timberlink Bell Bay

Hear from our students

Experience Paul Akers author of 2 Second Lean

Quality Assurance Supervisor uses Leam to TAKE THE CUSTOMERS VIEW

‘Good morning Clynton

Thank you very much for letting me participate in the SWE training yesterday at CAT. It was a very engaging and purposeful training. From my work point of view (Quality Assurance) the talk about focussing on ‘internal’ customers rather than the end customer was new, but made a world of sense. We are in that direction at my workplace and I can definitely take what I learnt and put to good use in this area.

Could you please let the CAT guys know that they did a great job and was all very engaging and competent in their training ways. I have attended my fair share of training and this was by far one of the most beneficial ones. It was very impressive how positive and engaging they all were. ‘

IRENE
Quality Assurance Supervisor

2015

Bridgestone Mining Solutions Australia

Bridgestone Mining Solutions Australia engaged the services of Productivity Improvers in 2018 to assist implementation of our Quality Mission Statement into our Total Service Solution Business.

As recommended by Productivity Improvers & as part of BMSA culture of developing people, Productivity Improvers firstly conducted Lean Entry Training to key operational staff nationwide across our major facilities. Not only did this training deliver basic Lean education and a great understanding of the Lean Principles, Practises & Tools to create customer value, but the key focus & benefit was on delivering results.
Each session resulted in immediate improvements to our operational processes; these were achieved not only by the progressive interactive approach from the trainer but also by Productivity Improvers utilising the Lean tools learnt in these sessions (GEMBA – GO SEE ACT) where staff identified areas for improvement & implement that change.
These sessions were more than informative but in some cases, life changing for numerous staff members.
As part of BMSA Lean journey, over 25 key business leaders have had the privilege of attending the SWE with Productivity Improvers in their state-of-the-art training facility in Burnie. The SWE enabled BMSA staff practical learning & understandings of Lean methodologies and their application in an operational environment. Staff members from all areas & roles in the business attended. These sessions had a huge effect in empowering our leaders to not only improve their immediate job role & responsibilities but those in their circle of influence at work and home.
I would personally like to thank Productivity Improvers for their guidance, professionalism & personal approach, which has already delivered major improvements in BMSA solutions business. I look forward to working with Productivity Improvers into the future to help develop our people & continue to improve our customer value.

Andy Gee
Production Manager
Bridgestone Mining Solutions Australia 2019

Earth and Water Technologies moving dirt with less waste

This Victorian based company with an overnight success story lasting 40 years, describe their history as a ‘passion for the challenge of moving dirt’ They recently bought their Team to Tassie for the SWE and wrote us some kind words

‘After the completion of our Lean Productivity training in Burnie, we have had numerous employees discussing ways that Lean can be implemented within our workplace and we can already see the huge impact that it is going to have on our business. This course has changed the way we look at being lean across our whole business; within our daily operations, our culture and the way management engages with stakeholders. The hands-on aspect was thoroughly enjoyed by all our employees and assisted in the understanding and implementation of where Lean Principles could be implemented, and wastes could be eradicated. I doubt we could’ve gained this learning and kick-started such a huge cultural change in any other way. The format, delivery and personalities of Productivity Improvers is truly unique and I would happily recommend this training to any business, regardless of size, industry and age.’

Carlie Ryan
Business Development Manager
EARTH AND WATER TECHNOLOGIES