From Torquemada (Palencia), System Lonch has become a benchmark in slicing and packaging meat products. CEO Patricia Peña shares how they’ve tackled the challenge of maintaining quality and on-time service in a constantly growing business. The key: a continuous improvement system with support from SGS PRODUCTIVITY.
Growth demands transformation
Founded in 2005, System Lonch started with just two production lines. Today, the company operates 11 active lines and a far more complex structure. But with growth came new challenges. As Patricia Peña explains, “We had the resources, we had the machinery… but we weren’t able to meet our clients’ expectations—in terms of timing or quality”.
It was clear: increasing capacity wasn’t enough. They had to improve how they worked.
A method that connects with people
The starting point was to visit companies that had already implemented Lean systems. Seeing their results, the team at System Lonch asked themselves: “Why couldn’t we be a success story too?” This led to a pilot project on one production line, which soon expanded to the rest of the lines and departments.
One of the greatest achievements, according to Patricia, has been the team’s engagement. Active participation has been key to ensuring that the system doesn’t just work—it lasts. Internal communication has also improved significantly, both bottom-up and top-down, enabling better coordination and alignment across the company.
Results: beyond numbers, a new culture
“Thanks to Lean, we’ve created a true work culture,” says Patricia. A culture where each role is clearly defined, helping new hires integrate more easily and giving daily operations a solid structure. Production has increased, and processes have become standardised, creating a more stable and predictable environment.
Now, the company is taking the next step: digitalising the system. After years of collecting data manually, System Lonch is phasing out paper and digitising key metrics like OEE. In just a few months, they expect all lines to be fully connected and operating in this new digital environment.
Why did they choose SGS PRODUCTIVITY? “From day one, we saw their commitment—they wanted to work with us, side by side,” says Patricia. That trust, combined with proven experience, made the difference. “I would do it all over again,” she concludes.
Is your company growing and in need of stronger processes to keep delivering for your customers?