Testimonials

"The results are just so ridiculous the temptation is to step back and not tell the full story.” “The tangible results mattered but were matched or exceeded by the soft benefits, the “chemistry” of the team and how it changed in two days was amazing to watch.”

"Ross International has been the catalyst for dramatic changes in our manufacturing philosophy. They have opened our eyes to the reality that improvement need not just be incremental but can be fundamental by powerfully unleashing the knowledge and experience of employees, to make things better"

Sandy MacDonald, Managing Director, Henry Technologies

“I have been fantastically impressed by what I have seen this (Blitz) week. It has been a tremendously exciting time for me. It is almost like working in a new company.”

Tom Sreeves, Manufacturing Director, Aggreko

“Kaizen …………..it’s focused, it’s fast, it’s fun and it produces immediate results. It suits the Aggreko culture perfectly.

Rae Law, Materials Manager, Aggreko

“This was the first Kaizen project to be undertaken by DPSL and although it was targeted successfully to a specific production process it became apparent that Kaizen could be implemented within any function of the business and achieve similar results.

Kaizen has changed the thought process and made us look at how we can do things differently, slicker, smarter and make more effective use of the processes and the people. The blitz week delivered reduced setup and build times enabling DPSL to reduce the lead times to the customer. Kaizen proved to be a creative tool to ensure continuous improvement”

John Murphy, G.M. & John Donald, Production Manager,
Diamond Power Speciality Limited

“Ross International’s experience, understanding and encouragement were vital in helping HP with the successful implementation of a new manufacturing material supply process. Their commitment to their clients and their willingness to apply their skills to activities outside their usual scope of work were invaluable in helping us achieve our goals.”

Murray Donald, Logistics Business Support Manager, Hewlett Packard

“We have experienced rapid and large scale growth in sales volumes over recent years. However to sustain and improve both quality and profitability in a very competitive market remains an ongoing challenge.

Ross International has contributed to our success by facilitating a Kaizen Blitz which increased capacity and flexibility to meet customer demands by cutting changeover times."

David Watson, Production Manager, Highland Spring

"Over a 2 year period trained 6 facilitators and brought about savings of millions of pounds by standardising processes and eliminating waste.

Greenock has been using Kaizen as a continuous improvement tool since 1999 mainly, but not exclusively, within manufacturing. We enlisted the help of an experienced Kaizen Facilitator, Stuart Ross, to get things started and each Kaizen Blitz event required a good facilitator to help the team keep on track and achieve the goals within the set time."

IBM Focus Magazine, Issue 2 2002

“Kaizen helps to integrate the workforce by employing viewpoints and opinions of all levels of employees. The culture shift that results is nothing short of spectacular. People at all levels think and act differently and much more positively.”

Gerry Fay, General Manager, NMB

“There is a temptation when the going gets tough for everyone to disappear. This is particularly true when new equipment arrives and (un)surprisingly doesn't work at the first push of the button. The Kaizen approach is the perfect antidote to this scenario, breeding a belief in the team that not only is the impossible possible but that they are the one's who everyone is relying on to pull the rabbit out of the hat. The rabbit appears on cue and everyone feels good. I recommend it!”

Richard Jeeps, Production Manager, Robert McBride Limited

“This risk-free, proven approach to eliminating waste in our operation exceeded all our wildest expectations.”

Alex Morton, Quality and Engineering Manager, Rosti (Scotland)

“We were really gung-ho about the whole Kaizen thing. It was really quite involved. It all had to be analysed but delivered 139% and 110% productivity on 2 products.”

Jacqueline Nelson, Managing Director, TFC Cable Assemblies

"For Terasaki, the Kaizen event has brought clear bottom line benefits in terms of reduction in production time, reduction in factory space used, reduced lead time to our customers and ultimately improved customer satisfaction.

Other less tangible benefits we didn't set out to achieve but which cannot go unmentioned are the sense of empowerment and ownership as employees themselves are initiating and making on-going changes. Kaizen blitz has provided the platform for on-going continuous improvement.”

Georgie Smith, Logistics Manager, Terasaki Europe Limited

"Kaizen first captured my interest at a presentation in 2001. I passionately believe that the Kaizen approach will release the potential of employees in the organisation, and build on the knowledge, experience and commitment displayed across the whole Council. It will bring lasting improvement and make people feel more valued.

Kaizen is now beginning to embed itself within the Council’s strategic approach to quality development. It lies at the heart of our corporate commitment to continuous improvement in the way we deliver services to customers, and supports the Council’s approach to achieving Best Value by bringing about real improvements in service performance.

Kaizen embodies the Council’s commitment to involving staff across services in a meaningful and purposeful way in bringing about positive change.

As the principal in the company, Stuart Ross provides high-energy and effective support and challenge. His company's input to the growing number of success stories we have today cannot be underestimated.”

Alan Campbell, Chief Executive, Aberdeenshire Council

"We took out the time to put our entire extended management team through an intensive 5 day Lean Green Belt training programme using Ross International's experienced personnel. RI clearly have the industrial experience to deliver the fundamentals of Lean in a relevant, educational, but most of all very practical manner. The outcomes of the programme have delivered immediate and long term benefits to our customers as well as to ourselves."

"Solectron's experience with Ross International on our Lean Green Belt journey has been a tremendous experience for us. The return on investment both in hard measurable improvements (quality /cost/delivery/flexibility) as well as intangible improvements (culture/ideas comfort with change) are well worth the investment."

Mark Cumming, Site General Manager, Solectron Scotland

“Stuart is a tenacious lean advocate and coach – who does not give up until people can do lean for themselves. His work is recognised and valued by his clients and I always look forward to supporting what he does.”

Daniel T Jones, Chairman, Lean Enterprise Academy

“Ross International is regarded as the ‘expert’ in Scotland and pioneered the transference of the usage of lean to the public sector. Their level of knowledge and detail on lean methodology cannot be faulted and their ability to address all situations based on years of experience is clearly evident.

Ross International employees are atypical consultants – they have an obvious public interest in helping others to help themselves to make improvements. The improvements made were astounding and very much with the involvement in staff so much so that the levels of empowerment are still being felt years on.

Their ability to connect with staff and to get them on side even when obstacles have to be overcome is due to the respect they quickly gain through their knowledge, expertise and ability to relate to the people they are working with. At the end of their interventions they are typically viewed more as friends than consultants.“

Ewhan Barschtschyk, Change Manager, Student Awards Agency For Scotland