The Smiths Excellence System (SES) has been an important driver of continuous improvement at Smiths since 2016. Our SES structure, leadership, resources, tools and training ensure that we explicitly prioritise and resource improvement projects according to impact and importance, and execute with greater pace, urgency and consistency.
Solving problems and delivering results
SES is central to how we solve problems and deliver results at Smiths. It is a common approach for innovation, execution and continuous improvement based on Lean Six Sigma (LSS) principles. It enables us to effectively determine, accelerate and deliver critical operational and functional projects that make us more efficient, faster to market and more responsive to customer needs.
SES is also a development opportunity for Smiths colleagues as they take on full-time Black Belt roles or lead Green Belt projects and use SES Academy resources to expand their knowledge and skills and build exciting careers.
Our performance improvement culture is driven through a global community of full-time MBBs, BBs, site LEAN leads and trainers/coaches
This group is highly qualified in the practical application of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, tools and techniques to increase business productivity. As well as leading projects of their own, they form and oversee our Green Belt projects and coach Smiths colleagues seeking Green Belt qualification.
SES projects are accelerating execution of our strategic priorities
Full-time Master Black Belts and Black Belts
Black Belt projects in flight
Green Belt projects in flight
Operating profit growth from SES projects in FY2024
Our philosophy for SES is that to succeed, it must become both the nerve system and the muscle tissue of our business.
The nerve system is crucial in directing the key operations of the business, helping focus on critical, strategic priorities. But we also need muscle to get things done. Our LSS trained resources, black and green belts are our muscle. These are people who build and develop their practical application of lean methods and develop a lean skill set to help increase business productivity, working with teams to deliver impactful, business-critical projects.
Innovation is in our DNA
Every Smiths product, service and solution is the result of engineering and technology innovation by our expert teams, often in collaboration with our customers. We invest approximately 4% of revenue into R&D annually to improve product performance, solve new problems or move into new and growing markets. Innovation has been in our DNA for more than 170 years.
Innovation at Smiths