Sometimes the most powerful improvements come from creating order where there was none. The S-MIC QC team engaged Walker Business Transformation to deliver a 5S workplace organisation programme across five operational areas including sample receipt, equipment storage, QC storage, plate reading, and speciation.
The Challenge
Disorganised workspaces, unclear labelling, and inefficient layouts were consuming time across every area. Staff were spending minutes searching for items that should have been immediately to hand. Multiply that across a team and across a year and the cost in time and money becomes significant.
What We Did
WBT delivered 5S training to the QC team in September and October 2023, then worked alongside them to systematically apply Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardise, and Sustain across each work area. Named team members were assigned accountability for each area with clear progress milestones and sustainability reviews.
The Results
- 122 hours saved per year across all areas
- 3,959 pounds in cost savings via workplace organisation
- Sample Receipt: 22.4 hours per year saved
- Equipment Storage: 15 hours per year saved
- Plate Reading: 42.7 hours per year saved
- Speciation: 41.9 hours per year saved
5S is often underestimated. But when a team can always find what they need, where they need it, when they need it, they spend less time searching and more time doing work that matters.
Could your organisation benefit from a similar approach?
Book a free 30-minute diagnostic call with Lee Walker. Call 07736 379911 or email info@wbt.org.uk