As part of our 20th anniversary, we continue sharing real stories of transformation from companies that have embraced continuous improvement as a driver of sustainable change. Today we speak with Carlos Cuesta, Lean Manager at Zuvamesa — a leading company in the citrus sector, specialized in 100% natural orange juice — about how Lean has helped them optimize processes, digitize decision-making, and strengthen the involvement of all team members in a shared journey toward the future.
What made you decide to implement Lean in your company?
For years, we have been looking for ways to evolve and stay at the forefront in an increasingly demanding and competitive environment. The implementation of Lean came from the need to improve our processes, eliminate waste, and enhance the value we deliver to people. We wanted to transform the way we work, create a culture focused on continuous improvement, and ensure that every team member could contribute ideas and grow. Choosing Lean was, in fact, a commitment to the sustainable future of our company and to the development of a stronger, more engaged team.
What results have you achieved through the implementation of Lean?
Thanks to the implementation of Lean, we have achieved tangible results across various areas of the company. We have significantly reduced waste and optimized our processes, which has led to greater operational efficiency and faster response times. Additionally, we’ve improved coordination between teams and established much smoother communication, allowing ideas to quickly turn into real improvements.
The involvement and commitment of every team member have grown stronger, as each person now actively participates in identifying and solving opportunities. In short, Lean has not only improved our productivity and quality metrics but has also fostered a motivating work environment, where continuous improvement is part of everyday life and we feel we’re moving forward together toward a stronger future.
What was the key moment or highlight of the project?
If I had to highlight the key moment of the project, without a doubt, it was when we made the leap toward digitizing and automating our performance indicators using PowerBI. This step marked a true turning point: for the first time, we were able to visualize the pulse of our processes in real time, make informed decisions, and share information transparently across the entire team. The impact was immediate and tangible.
I also remember how, from the very first improvement workshops, we were able to quantify significant cost savings by identifying and eliminating waste that had previously gone unnoticed. That was when we truly understood the potential of Lean: seeing how actions translated into concrete, measurable results motivated us to keep driving change. That combination of technology and methodology marked a clear before and after in the way we work.
Why did you choose SGS PRODUCTIVITY?
When it came to choosing SGS PRODUCTIVITY as our partner in the implementation of Lean, a decisive factor was the commitment they showed from the very beginning. From the initial phase, their involvement was absolute: they supported every step with both rigor and closeness, and their team stood out for their high level of expertise and leadership skills, which inspired our entire group. They conveyed trust and motivation, giving us the confidence from the start that we would achieve the goals we had set.
Without a doubt, what made the difference was their success-based model, linking their compensation to the actual savings achieved. This approach not only demonstrated their honesty and confidence in the methodology, but also strengthened our partnership and gave us the assurance that we were rowing in the same direction—sharing both the achievements and the challenges.
Tell us about a memorable moment you’ve had working with SGS Productivity.
With SGS PRODUCTIVITY, I especially remember an anecdote from the first working sessions: they showed us, through a simple practical exercise, how small changes in task organization could have an immediate impact on cost savings. That moment was a turning point, as it sparked curiosity and engagement across the entire team.
If you had to sum up your collaboration with SGS productivity in just one sentence…what would it be?
A transformative partnership built on trust, commitment, and continuous improvement, which has driven us to surpass ourselves and move forward together toward excellence.