€2.4m savings achieved from Ornua’s Continuous Improvement Programme recognised by the Leading Edge Group

Leading Edge Group are delighted to announce that Ornua today became the first recipient of the International Continuous Improvement Excellence Award, in recognition of the sustainability and durability of the Ornua transformation programme – “The Ornua Way”. The award was presented to Ornua COO, Anthony Proctor, by Joe Aherne, CEO, Leading Edge Group at Kerrygold Park in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. The ceremony was attended by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, TD.  

This award was established by the Leading Edge Group to recognise excellence in adopting sustainable continuous improvement programmes. The Leading Edge Group have been involved in the area of continuous improvement for over 22 years supporting their clients initiatives in improving productivity, increasing efficiencies and eliminating process waste. Leading Edge Group have worked on a number of large Lean transformation programmes for companies such as Dairygold, Bord Na Mona, Ervia and of course Ornua not to mention similar programmes completed in Canada, UAE and Australia. 

In late 2015, The Ornua Way programme was established and Leading Edge Group were engaged to support the establishment and roll-out of the programme. The Ornua Way was rolled-out to all six European Ornua processing facilities in 2016, resulting in financial benefits of €2.4m.

Pictured, L-R: Joe Aherne, CEO of Leading Edge Group; Anthony Proctor, COO of Ornua Group and Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine at Kerrygold Park in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.

Leading Edge Group felt this was an opportune time to commission an annual award to be presented to the best exponents of continuous improvement and who have achieved significant national and international success as a result. Leading Edge Group specially commissioned an award carved from a 4,200 year old Irish bog yew in recognition of the innovative work being done by companies in Ireland in the area of continuous improvement. The sculptor is Kevin Casey from Newtowncashel in County Longford. Kevin’s work includes commissioned sculptures for Past Presidents and Taoisigh of Ireland.

You can download the Ornua Way White Paper via this link.

Read about Aquatera receiving the North American award.

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