Waygate Technologies Wins Kaizen Award for Operational Excellence
Waygate Technologies Wins Kaizen Award for Operational Excellence
Waygate Technologies, a Baker Hughes business, has been awarded the Operational Excellence Award at the 2024 Kaizen Awards in Germany. This prestigious award, handed out by the industry-leading Kaizen Institute, recognizes the company’s significant advancements in reducing delivery times, increasing capacity, and lowering inventory levels through the implementation of Kaizen principles.
The project teams, representing different levels of the organisation and led by Operations, were supported by a cross-functional team from all departments of the Radiography Systems product line in Wunstorf near Hannover.
Kaizen, meaning "change for the better," is a Japanese business philosophy focused on continuous improvement. It involves all employees in identifying and eliminating waste in all processes. This is achieved through small, incremental changes that accumulate over time to create significant improvements and simplification.
Waygate Technologies’ journey towards operational excellence involved a multifaceted approach rooted in Kaizen principles. Key initiatives included:
• Daily Kaizen: Implementing small, daily improvements across all departments to address inefficiencies and optimize workflows.
• Mission Control: Establishing a central hub for project management, providing real-time visibility, and enabling faster decision-making.
• Layout and Line Design Workshops: Optimizing physical workspace to improve flow, reduce waste, and enhance productivity.
These focused efforts, driven by the commitment of the teams, yielded impressive and tangible results:
• Delivery Punctuality: A remarkable 40-point improvement, ensuring customers receive their orders on time, every time.
• Stock Levels: A 20% reduction, freeing up valuable resources and reducing storage costs.
• Work-in-Progress (WIP): A significant 40% reduction, streamlining production processes and shortening lead times by an impressive 33%.
This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the teams across the organization. By embracing the principles of continuous improvement and Lean Management, Baker Hughes’ Waygate Technologies has not only achieved operational excellence but also created a more efficient, sustainable, and rewarding work environment.
###
Find out more about the 2024 Kaizen Awards in Germany here (information available in German language)
Learn more about Waygate Technologies' industrial computed tomography solutions here.