The annual 20 Keys ® conference is one of the most significant events dedicated to Lean transformation and KAIZEN, which gathers experts, managers, and consultants from all over the world.
The 27th International 20 Keys® Conference was a 4-day unique experience with success stories of leading Bulgarian and international companies, 5 hours of exciting content with 8+ world-class lecturers, and visits to companies in Bulgaria with leading lean practices.
Special guest of the event was Dr. Yoshi Kobayashi – President of PDI, a leading Lean consultant, and owner of the 20 Keys® methodology!
Delegates learned more about 20 Keys ®, discovered future trends and learned how to achieve higher efficiency from the world leaders: Daimler, Siemens, Coca Cola, Sensata Technologies, Lufthansa Technik and many more.
The Organiser of the 20 Keys International Conference and Study Tour 2019 was Next Consult Ltd., together with PPORF Development Institute Inc. – Japan and Organisation Development International (ODI) – South Africa.
The 20 Keys International Conference and Study Tour 2019 took place in Bulgaria. The event had two major types of activities
- One-day Conference (on 22nd of October) and
- Study Tour Visits (between 21 and 24 of October)
in manufacturing plants Lufthansa Technik, Rollplast, Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria, SENSATA Technologies Bulgaria, and HL- TopMix where the tour participants will be able to exchange ideas, experience and know-how with well-established and prominent enterprises.
The 20Keys Conference was held in Sofia Hotel Balkan, a 5-star hotel located at the political, historical and administrative center of the city of Sofia. Responsible for the organization of the event on behalf of Next Consult was Mr. Emil Vuchkov who is one of the partners of the company.
Study Tour Schedule
20 October 2019 – Welcome dinner
21 October 2019
Factory Tour 1: Lufthansa Technik – Bulgaria: Sofia Airport
Lufthansa Technik Sofia (LTSF) is a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG and the Bulgarian Aviation Group. The Bulgarian company specialized in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of narrow-track aircraft. Lufthansa Technik Sofia is the fifth base in the Lufthansa Technik Group, specialized in the overhaul of small and medium-sized aircraft in Europe. Thanks to the introduction of liner practices, today the company is established in the market, offering excellent quality and competitive conditions, and serves customers from Europe and the USA.
Factory Tour 2: Rollplast – Bulgaria: Kostinbrod
Rollplast was established 19 years ago and is one of the largest manufacturers of doors, windows, blinds, and facades in Southeastern Europe. With the expansion of its business, Rollplast was looking for a way to boost production efficiency and quality, that is why they turned to Next Consult. Rollplast’s 20 Keys ® program began in 2015. After the implementation of the first 3 of 20 Keys ®, the company reported a 30% increase in productivity and people turnover decrease by 50%.
22 October 2019 – 20 KEYS® INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Factory Tour 3: Coca-Cola HBC – Bulgaria: Kostinbrod
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company is one of the leading bottlers of The Coca-Cola Company brands. It has 2 production centers in total in Bulgaria, one of which for bottling of soft drinks in Kostinbrod, which will be part of the company tours of the 27th International 20 Keys ® conference. Learn how the company has grown to become the leading European production center of the worldwide brand thanks to Lean transformation.
23 October 2019
Factory Tour 4: SENSATA Technologies – Bulgaria: Sofia
Sensata Technologies is a global industrial technology company, a leader in the development, manufacture and sale of sensors and controls for mission critical applications that improve safety, efficiency and comfort for millions of people every day. Sensata Technologies Bulgaria, known as Sensor-NITE Industrial until march 2015, was established in 2005 with headquarters in Sofia. The firm offers high temperature sensors. Sensor-Nite Belgium, which was acquired by Belgian contract electronic manufacturer EPIQ in 2001, set foot on the Bulgarian market in 2002 when the pilot production was relocated from Belgium to EPIQ Bulgaria. In 2016, Sensata opened a second
production facility in the town of Plovdiv, where now more than 500 people are employed, and which will be hosting the 20 Keys ® study tour this year.
24 October 2019
Factory Tour 5: HL-TopMix – Bulgaria: Sliven
HL-TopMix was established 18 years ago and a leading manufacturer of a wide range of feed products for all types and categories of animals for each stage of their development. Their mission is to become a preferred supplier and trusted partner to their customers, for which they turn to Next Consult. HL-TopMix started introducing 20 Keys ® in early 2019 which is a great example for companies who are hesitant about the choice to implement a management improvement system or want to learn how to start a similar process.
To view the album of the 10th International Study Mission to Japan in 2018, click here.
To read more about ODI’s Continuous Operations Improvement System, click here.
Author: Huibie Jones: MD at ODI