SOR Ibérica, founded in 1970, has become a European benchmark in the manufacture of temperature-controlled transport solutions. Far from producing standard vehicles, they have specialized in the design and manufacture of tailor-made solutions that improve the efficiency of their customers’ operations and help them become more competitive.
Present in all European markets for many years, they have built up extensive technical knowledge and experience, and are able to offer excellence in the design of multiple solutions, while at the same time protecting our ecosystems.
What made you decide to implement Lean in your company?
When I joined SOR in January 2006, I already came from environments related to Continuous Improvement and the Automotive Sector, so I was familiar with Lean Manufacturing, Total Quality, ISO TS, etc.
The first opportunity to work with SGS PRODUCTIVITY came from the need to increase production capacity in the panel manufacturing facility: this materialized in a Hoshin Kaizen Workshop led by Fernando Hermenegildo, through which we achieved an increase in capacity of approximately 12%.
What results have you achieved through the implementation of Lean?
Following the first experience and seeing the results, specific improvement projects were carried out focused on increasing production capacity and continuous improvement, through which it has become standard to talk about waste, non value-added, etc.
To date, we have carried out more than 12 projects and/or workshops.
What was the key moment or highlight of the project?
With so many projects carried out over 20 years, it is difficult to highlight a single “moment”. Both the first Kaizen Workshop, the Internal Logistics Improvement Project and finally the VSM Workshop, due to the involvement of different functions, had a great impact on the organization.
Likewise, due to its scale and duration, the Production Capacity Increase Project through the installation of a second panel forming press had a great impact, as it involved all areas of the company, as well as suppliers of materials and services, through the implementation of a Lean Project Management Model.
Why did you choose SGS PRODUCTIVITY?
I knew you from previous work experiences and I knew you were the kind of people who go to the shop floor and roll up their sleeves.
Tell us about a memorable experience you’ve had with SGS PRODUCTIVITY.
SOR is part of the TRG group together with the French companies Chereau and Aubineau.
Given the good experiences and relationships we have with SGS PRODUCTIVITY, we managed to convince Chereau to receive support from Spain in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement. Moreover, Guillermo García, from your team, worked for Chereau as Area Manager for many months, without seeing the sun in Normandy, and has been of great help for industrial synergies during the various visits we had between companies.
In what ways has your team evolved over the course of the project?
It has become common to talk about TOP 5, waste, what adds or does not add value…
If you had to sum up your collaboration with SGS productivity in just one sentence…what would it be?
Hands-on work with very capable and dynamic people.