Case Turn Around factory in Lommel (Belgium)

Restructure a factory (350 people) together with newly appointed Plant Manager. The development department was very powerfull. This resulted in projects with customers without the approval of the commercial department and without financial commitment of customers. The many development projects interfered with the production of products to paying customers, which resulted in low production yields. Losses 2001: 16.9 million Euro, including restructuring provision of 15 million Euro.

Results:

• Reduced 50 % of the development overhead and focussed the development on projects committed by customers.
• Set up a sales task force to focus on key accounts in order to increase revenues.
• Teams were installed to improve processes and teamwork.
• Profit first six months 2002: 505,000 Euro.