Management skill and efficiency expertise secure top honours at the Operational Excellence Awards 2024

Nearly 200 of the country’s top problem-solvers and efficiency gainers attended the black-tie gala awards at the Crowne Plaza, Santry, on May 30th. Hosted by author, broadcaster and comedian Colm O’Regan, the evening, now in its fourth year, saw a total of 19 awards handed out.

Top billing was hotly contested but the winner of the overall operational excellence award was An Post Commerce. The judges’ citation said: “An Post Commerce exemplifies true operational excellence with their An Post Way initiative, leading the way in innovation and efficiency. Through comprehensive continuous improvement techniques and exceptional team engagement, they’ve set new standards in operational excellence that notably enhance performance and customer satisfaction.”

One of the special awards of the evening was for the operational excellence leader. This went to Robert Hernan, who has worked across industries and sectors as a specialist in implementing lean processes – a production technique for increasing efficiency.

The judges said: “As senior lean adviser in Enterprise Ireland’s Lean/operational excellence team, Robert Hernan has played a pivotal role in guiding numerous food companies on their lean journeys, from introducing foundational principles to fostering complete lean cultural transformations. Their work with large enterprises such as Kerry and Diageo, and smaller businesses like McCambridge’s and Nomadic Foods, has driven efficiency and innovation.”

Hernan also led the pilot project Lean for Micro with the Local Enterprise Office. That took lean to more than 2,500 micro and small enterprises across the country, showing that lean is not just for large companies or for manufacturing. He helped author the Lean Implementation in Micro & Small Enterprises Book of Cases.

In 2016 Hernan supported the roll-out of the IDA lean initiative and in 2018 led Lean Business Ireland’s roll-out of several regional Lean networks. He’s a member of Lean Business Ireland, Midlands, and West-Northwest lean network committees. A worthy winner indeed.

Brian Coll, lecturer, lean and operational excellence at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo, led the judging panel. He said: “As a judge evaluating the entries for the Operational Excellence (OpEx) awards, I was impressed by how the entrants demonstrated the successful implementation of Lean and OpEx tools and techniques into their organisations.

“The submissions demonstrated how the effective utilisation of Lean, Six Sigma and OpEx methodologies resulted in cost reduction, lead time reduction, quality improvement and ultimately business growth. It is great to see new entrants in each category and the standard of submissions improving year on year.

“What is particularly encouraging is to see previous category winners entering, and in some cases retaining, their award despite the increased competition in each category. This demonstrates their ongoing commitment to excellence and in particular their ability to continuously improve, which is often the biggest challenge that organisations face when rolling out lean and OpEx initiatives.”

Even those shortlisted but who did not take home any silverware felt they benefited from the awards. Follow the Camino organises personalised pilgrimages along the world famous Camino de Santiago through France, Spain and Portugal. It was shortlisted for the operational excellence in tourism & entertainment category.

Ciarán Bruder, marketing communications and product specialist, said: “Our nomination for the excellence in tourism and entertainment award is a true honour. Modern travel requires custom tour packages, making every trip like a fingerprint – individual. Follow the Camino is defined by its expert team creating unique holidays that people remember for a lifetime.”

Facility services firm ISS Ireland was a gold sponsor of the awards. Eric Doyle, managing director, said: “ISS continue to sponsor the Operational Excellence Awards as they shine a light on the businesses striving for true excellence in Ireland. A commitment to excellence is at the heart of ISS Operations, and these awards allow us to share our ethos and values with those who share that commitment.”

Richie O’Flynn is commercial director of South Coast Logistics, a firm shortlisted for two categories: operations manager / COO of the year, and operational excellence in transport and logistics.

O’Flynn said: “As a multifaceted service provider to niche industries, it is important that South Coast Logistics participates in a recognised achievement awards programme. By doing so, it captures our approach to business management, which emphasises continuous improvement across all aspects of the business.”

Another gold sponsor was Sensori FM. Mark Cullen, managing director, said: “Sensori FM has proudly sponsored the Operational Excellence Awards for several years. The Operational Excellence Awards provide an invaluable platform to showcase the skills within the various industries recognised at the awards. Congratulations to all the well deserved winners and we look forward to our continued support of the event.”

Speaking at the awards, Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at Business River, said: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2024 sponsors and professional partners, which include ISS Ireland and Sensori FM. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”

Full list of judges

Brian Coll, lecturer, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo
Robert Burdock, site operational excellence lead, Ipsen Manufacturing Ireland Limited Eric Clinton, director, DCU National Centre for Family Business
Paul Davis, associate professor, Dublin City University
Pauline Found, emeritus professor, lean operations management, University of Buckingham & lecturer, logistics and operations management, Cardiff University
Steven Giles, head of operations consumer foods, Aurivo
Richard Hayes, operational excellence director, Viatris
Shane Horgan, continuous improvement specialist, Viatris
Jessica Minghinelli, director, partner operations, Salesforce
Seamus O’Reilly, senior lecturer, Cork University Business School, UCC
Michael Phelan, head of operations and supply chain excellence, Tirlan
Patrick Quinn, head of operations, Cheshire Ireland
Darren Woods, chief executive, WD Excellence