20 years transforming companies – DS Smith interview. On our 20th anniversary, we continue celebrating success stories with companies that rely on continuous improvement as a driver of change. Today we speak with Albert Forcadell, Operations Director – South Europe at DS Smith.
DS Smith is an international benchmark in sustainable packaging solutions, with more than 80 years of experience. With a presence in over 30 countries and a strong focus on the circular economy, DS Smith works to turn market challenges into opportunities, offering packaging solutions that improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. With its commitment to continuous improvement, the company has embraced Lean methodologies and collaboration with SGS Productivity to continue advancing in its operational transformation.
What led you to implement Lean in your company?
Firmly convinced of the potential of the Lean methodology, DS Smith aimed to standardize across all its plants a system based on continuous improvement tools. The objective was to enhance employee performance, optimize the efficiency of our activities and add value to our business. All of this with the goal of being more competitive and meeting our customers’ needs.
What have you achieved thanks to Lean?
At DS Smith, we have built a structured and organized program, based on a set of principles, dimensions and tools. This approach has allowed us to standardize the way we work across all our plants. It is a common and global program aimed at ensuring that all our employees adopt the Lean method as a regular part of their daily work.
We have found that cultural change is achieved when there is strong commitment from management. In addition, it is essential to inform and train employees, providing them with purpose, knowledge, tools and support.
The methodology does not belong only to DS Smith, but to each person who makes it possible. When everything fits, the results become evident, measurable and worth celebrating.
What was the key moment of the project?
The moment when everything “clicked” happened when the system started to operate autonomously in each plant, thanks to the active participation of all parties. Each person contributes their knowledge and responsibility to the method. Another major achievement was confirming that the system is sustained over time, maintaining the level of demand and results
Why did you choose us?
The choice of SGS Productivity was for many reasons. I would especially highlight the commitment, mutual trust, knowledge (both technical and sector-specific), the company’s solidity and its ability to adapt.
Tell us an anecdote you experienced with SGS Productivity
My relationship with SGS Productivity began with a training in Madrid on Lean. At that moment, their capabilities and experience impressed me so much that I proposed implementing the system in one of our plants. Over the years, I have seen SGS Productivity grow and evolve, proving that they not only tell a story, but are part of it.
At this point, Fran Bou, Iberia Operational Excellence & Quality Lead, joins in: My time at the company is short (just 2 years), but so far I can only be grateful for the personal and professional treatment received from all the people at SGS Productivity I have worked with. I would especially highlight the good relationship during the current deployment in one of our plants in Portugal and the invitation to the SGS Productivity offices in Madrid, where we assessed future collaborations.
How have you seen your team evolve throughout the project?
Teams have improved their technical skills thanks to both theoretical and practical training. They have improved the way they work and their commitment to the quality of the work carried out.
The level of employee involvement starts with the sponsorship of the program by Management and evolves with the achievement of results, both practical and empirical.
This is a system that demonstrates improvement and enables efficient leadership from those in positions of responsibility. We have been able to confirm this in our plants.
We also highlight the professional growth of all individuals, each within their area of responsibility.
Finally, if you had to define the collaboration with SGS Productivity in one sentence, what would it be?
SGS Productivity is an excellent partner: loyal, committed, approachable and with strong expertise to bring differential value to our continuous improvement system and to our business.