BUSINESS
A global journey with local impact
A-Gas has taken another big step on its global journey to drive continuous improvement. After rolling out the Business Excellence (BEx) Programme in the US and the Netherlands, the initiative has now offi cially launched in the UK, as UK Commercial Director Faye Maddocks explains.
F Faye Maddocks
The roll-out of Business Excellence in the UK is not a short-term project with a fi xed end date. It is a long-term commitment to doing
things better — both now and in the future.
or A-Gas, Business Excellence is not an isolated initiative but part of a larger, connected eff ort to embed continuous improvement across its worldwide
operations. A-Gas’ vision is to create an environment where Lean thinking is not just a methodology, but a shared mindset that informs decisions, shapes behaviours, and ultimately drives performance. The global BEx programme has already delivered impressive gains in effi ciency, engagement, and quality around the A-Gas Group, and these proven approaches are now being adapted to fi t the unique challenges and opportunities within the UK market. The move is not about simply copying what’s worked
elsewhere, but about tailoring best practices to local contexts while ensuring a consistent global standard. A-Gas in the UK will benefi t from a wealth of international experience while contributing its own insights back into the wider A-Gas Group.
What Is Business Excellence? Business Excellence is a structured framework for embedding Lean thinking across the organisation. At its core, it is about working in smarter, more consistent, and more customer- focused ways. This involves: ■ Reducing waste — eliminating non-value-adding activities that consume time, resources, or energy.
■ Building capability — equipping teams with the skills, knowl- edge, and confi dence to make improvements themselves.
■ Standardising processes — ensuring that successful ways of working are consistently applied across the organisation.
■ Keeping customers central — making sure every decision and action contributes to a better customer experience.
Rather than relying on a top-down approach, BEx empowers people at all levels to identify problems, take ownership, and deliver solutions. This is a shift from ‘management tells, teams do’ to ‘everyone contributes to making things better every day’. By adopting proven Lean tools and behaviours, employees
gain practical methods for solving problems, streamlining processes, and delivering results that matter.
30 October 2025 •
www.acr-news.com
Why the UK launch Is Important The introduction of BEx into A-Gas’ UK operations builds on
the positive work already taking place across the wider A-Gas Group. It represents an opportunity to align processes, share knowledge, and create even greater value across all UK sites. Drawing lessons from earlier launches, the UK programme focuses heavily on training and capability-building. Teams are receiving dedicated training in Lean fundamentals, in partnership with the Lean Competency System (formerly part of Cardiff University). The journey begins with Lean Thinking: Level 1A within the Business Excellence Academy — a structured training path that provides a shared language and equips staff with tools to make meaningful improvements from the outset. Jay Beresford, Head of Site and Operations, A-Gas in the UK, said: “Since introducing the Business Excellence principles to our operations, we have witnessed remarkable improvements across our site. Productivity and effi ciency have increased signifi cantly, and our teams are more engaged than ever. Business Excellence has given us a clear framework for driving continuous improvement. I’m proud of the transformation we have achieved so far and look forward to continuing to embed Business Excellence in how we work moving forward.”
People at the heart of change One of the most striking aspects of BEx is its focus on people. While processes and systems are important, the programme recognises that real change comes from empowering individuals to contribute and collaborate. Through daily reviews, performance boards, and regular team discussions, BEx fosters an environment where ideas are shared openly, successes are celebrated, and challenges are addressed collectively. This creates not only operational improvements but also stronger team cohesion and morale. Importantly, BEx is designed to make work easier, not
harder. By identifying and removing barriers, teams are able to focus their energy on high-value activities that matter most to customers and the business. Adopting Business Excellence has taken our customer focus
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