Global KAIZEN? Award 6th Edition: VELUX (NM Polska)

VELUX (NM Polska): Lean Excellence Secures 2nd Place at the Global KAIZEN? Awards

At the 6th Edition of the Global KAIZEN? Award in S?o Paulo, VELUX (NM Polska), Poland, earned a well-deserved 2nd place for their outstanding implementation of a complex policy deployment process. As one of Poland’s largest producer and exporter of roof windows, VELUX (NM Polska) showcased how Lean principles, when systematically applied, can drive remarkable improvements in strategy alignment, employee engagement, and sustainability.

Their innovative approach to standardizing Hoshin Kanri processes and fostering a culture of Continuous Improvement highlights how Lean can transform organizations. The results speak for themselves: enhanced safety, improved quality, and greater employee satisfaction.

What Made VELUX (NM Polska) Stand Out?

VELUX (NM Polska)’s success is rooted in their commitment to building a unified, strategic approach to Continuous Improvement. Here are the key factors behind their achievement:

1. Strategic Deployment with Hoshin Kanri

VELUX (NM Polska) implemented a three-tier Hoshin Kanri system, aligning strategic, tactical, and operational goals. This structured approach ensures clear communication and collaboration between factory management, departments, and individual production shifts. By connecting goals across all levels, the company ensures every initiative contributes to the organization’s overarching objectives.

?2. Focused Problem-Solving Framework

• ?CCM tasks for addressing immediate daily actions.
• "Just Do It" for short term corrective actions
• Practical Problem Solving to solve bigger problems, long term corrective actions
• KAIZEN? marathons to drive deeper improvements through week-long workshops.
• Six Sigma techniques for tackling quality-related problems requiring statistical analysis.

By prioritizing the top three problems at both departmental and factory levels, VELUX (NM Polska) focused resources on the most critical issues, achieving significant results.

3. Employee Engagement Through Lean Competitions

VELUX (NM Polska) introduced the "VOS Cup," a Lean competition that encouraged teams to improve in areas like operational meeting quality, and problem-solving skills. Points were awarded monthly, and winners received rewards such as department celebrations and cash prizes for social events. This initiative increased employee engagement by 25% in continuous improvement, fostering a strong Lean culture across the factory.

4. Sustainability and Safety Successes

The project achieved impressive milestones in safety and sustainability:

• Achieving the next step in the zero accident philosophy
• A 25% year-on-year reduction in injuries.
• Elimination of 27 ergonomically hazardous workstations over three years.

VELUX (NM Polska)’s efforts align with their group-wide strategy of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, demonstrating how Lean can support broader environmental goals.

5. Clear Career Development Pathways

VELUX (NM Polska) created transparent career paths across all departments, empowering employees to understand growth opportunities and requirements for promotion. This initiative increased employee satisfaction scores by 5% over two years and built a stronger connection between employees and organizational goals.

Key Learnings for Other Organizations

VELUX (NM Polska)’s journey offers valuable insights for businesses seeking to drive Continuous Improvement through Lean principles:

1. Align Strategy Across All Levels: Implementing a three-tier Hoshin Kanri system ensures that strategic goals cascade throughout the organization while operational insights are communicated back to leadership.
2. Focus on Critical Problems: Prioritizing the top three problems enables targeted resource allocation and faster, more impactful solutions.
3. Engage Employees in Lean Initiatives: Initiatives like the VOS Cup show how recognition and rewards can motivate employees to embrace Lean principles and contribute to organizational success.
4. Combine Lean with Sustainability Goals: VELUX (NM Polska)’s achievements in safety and sustainability demonstrate that Lean practices can align with long-term environmental and social objectives.
5. Commit to a Long-Term Perspective: Building a strong Lean culture takes time. VELUX (NM Polska)’s steady focus on strategy, systems, and people underscores the importance of patience and persistence in driving meaningful change.

Conclusion

VELUX (NM Polska)’s achievement at the Global KAIZEN? Award highlights the power of combining Lean methodologies with a commitment to sustainability, employee engagement, and strategic alignment. By prioritizing what matters most and empowering their workforce, they created a unified culture of Continuous Improvement that delivered tangible results.

Their success serves as a compelling example for organizations worldwide. Congratulations to the entire VELUX (NM Polska) team, including Bart?omiej Rozp?da , Mateusz Gorlowski , and Krzysztof Podeszwa .

Could your company benefit from a similar approach? Contact your local Kaizen Institute business unit to learn how to apply Lean principles and drive transformative results in your organization.