Leaders in Sustainable Business Improvement & Operational excellence
We are dedicated to helping you deliver sustainable growth and cashflow through passionate people and profitable processes.
Why 3ABEL?
About
Our Expertise
Approach
3ABEL supports businesses and their supply chains in achieving Operational Excellence (OpEx) across all their endeavours, emphasising business improvement and continuous improvement in people development to drive ongoing business growth.
In addition, 3ABEL offers recruitment services that specialise in leadership development for both permanent and interim opportunities in middle, senior, and executive roles, along with coaching and consulting positions.
3ABEL also delivers essential business financial services, including finance training, compliance, and support for business resale, ensuring operational excellence in financial practices.
Experience in multiple sectors:
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Power Generation
- Electronics
- Pharma
- MOD
- NHS
- Construction
- Gaming/Esports
- Finance/Transactional
Based centrally in the UK, 3ABEL is dedicated to business improvement, to future-proofing your operations and your employees through world leading methods.
#BeAblewith3ABEL
3A Business Excellence
aaabel.co.uk
Approach
Our Expertise
Approach
Centred around the 3P's: People, Process, and Passion, 3ABEL focuses on business improvement through the ability to transfer skills and knowledge globally, both remotely and face-to-face.
We emphasise our unique blend of lean manufacturing principles and flow strategies for continuous improvement that promote leadership development and operational excellence.
Our expertise encompasses the Theory of Constraints, Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM), building high-performing work teams, culture change, and production system design and development. Additionally, we specialise in quality management systems and auditing for auto/aero standards.
At 3ABEL, we take pride in offering a fun 'learn by doing' experience along with a structured approach to achieving sustained success. We can support you throughout the entire product life cycle or assist with specific steps in your journey towards long term growth, through assessment, gap analysis, roadmap development, execution, and embedding.
#BeAblewith3ABEL
3A Business Excellence
aaabel.co.uk
Our Expertise
Our Expertise
Our Expertise
What sets 3ABEL apart is the extensive capabilities and experience that span decades, deeply rooted in mentorship from Japanese experts at Toyota, Nissan, and Honda. This includes guidance from those who were directly trained by Ohno himself, a true testament to our commitment to business improvement and sustained profitable growth. Something to be proud of!
Rest assured that many of our 3ABEL Team are tried and tested in their application of expertise. Having held years of experience in leadership roles for some well known multi nationals and SMEs, they're not just consultants, but people who have the 'scars of responsibility' and the rewards of making real positive business change.
Our experience encompasses:
- OpEx
- Continuous Improvement
- Lean Manufacturing
- Lean Transformation
- Kata Coaching
- Project Management
- Theory of Constraints
- Critical Chain
- Agile
- Quality Standards
- Problem Solving
- Supply Chain Development
- Culture Change
- Planning & Logistics
- TPM
- Business Finance
- Digital Transformation
- Marketing
- HR Support Services
With a truly global reach, our expertise also supports your recruitment needs, particularly in interim and contract leadership assignments.
#BeAblewith3ABEL
3A Business Excellence
aaabel.co.uk
Expert Experiences
WHO IS BEHIND 3ABEL?
ALAN LOTHIAN - OWNER / DIRECTOR
3ABEL supports businesses and their supply chains in achieving Operational Excellence (OpEx) across all their endeavors, emphasizing business improvement and continuous improvement in people development to drive ongoing business growth.
In addition, 3ABEL offers recruitment services that specialize in leadership development for both permanent and interim opportunities in middle, senior, and executive roles, along with coaching and consulting positions.
3ABEL also delivers essential business financial services, including finance training, compliance, and support for business resale, ensuring operational excellence in financial practices.
Our areas of expertise include:
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Power Generation
- Electronics
- Pharma
- MOD
- NHS
- Construction
- Gaming/Esports
- Finance/Transactional
Based centrally in the UK, 3ABEL is dedicated to business improvement and future-proofing your operations and your employees through lean manufacturing practices.
#BeAblewith3ABEL
3A Business Excellence
aaabel.co.uk
Feedback & Testimonials
Production System Director
Production System Director
Production System Director
Instrumental in the launch of our own Production System 'APS', our commitment to business improvement has been crucial, especially in the comprehensive training of our local practitioners. We excel at fostering enthusiasm for activities while leveraging our in-depth knowledge of continuous improvement, leadership development, lean manufacturing, and operational excellence.
Works Director
Production System Director
Production System Director
Alan's expertise in lean manufacturing truly shone when his organization undertook an assignment for my business. They effectively coached a team of multifunctional managers with an enthusiasm, proficiency, and passion that was infectious. As a direct result of his involvement in leadership development, my management team gained valuable new skills that enabled them to drive significant business improvement and achieve operational excellence through continuous improvement.
Quality Director
Production System Director
Head of Business Excellence
Well organized in delivering training goals and highly recommended for business improvement, Alan and the team spent 12 months with us focusing on leadership development for the younger members of the organization. They equipped them with the tools necessary for continuous improvement, aiming to expand and future-proof the business through lean manufacturing practices and operational excellence.
Head of Business Excellence
Head of Business Excellence
Head of Business Excellence
Alan collaborated with my team and me during the initial stages of developing our Continuous Improvement programme, focusing on both the process and the people involved. His extensive knowledge and experience in business improvement techniques provided essential direction and assurance, leading to significant results during the challenging early days of culture change and leadership development at Sanofi Pharma. This approach not only emphasized operational excellence but also aligned with lean manufacturing principles.
Procurement Manager
Head of Business Excellence
Six Sigma Black Belt
We engaged 3ABEL as Business Improvement Consultants for approximately 24 months to assist us in enhancing our supply chain operations, which included ten of our most strategic suppliers. They maintained a professional approach at all times and, in my opinion, are a very knowledgeable team with a unique, analytical, and systematic style. Their expertise in delivering proven tools and techniques has led to significant results in key areas such as Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People. They excel in leadership development, effectively influencing teams and individuals to bring out the best in them. Their support and advice throughout the entire business improvement and supply chain improvement program were invaluable, enlightening us and many of our suppliers on how we can implement continuous improvement by 'working smarter, not harder.' This approach has resulted in improved business performance and profitability through operational excellence and lean manufacturing principles.
Six Sigma Black Belt
Head of Business Excellence
Six Sigma Black Belt
Alan and the team conducted lean manufacturing training that focused on business improvement within our company. Personally, I found them to be the best trainers I've encountered, demonstrating their deep knowledge and enthusiasm for continuous improvement. The strongest recommendation I can offer is that we still regularly implement the techniques they taught us, which continue to enhance our operational excellence and contribute to our leadership development.
Media Content
The Rest is Lean Podcast
Join us for a light-hearted but educational podcast around the world of lean, CI, OpEx and sustainability.
John, Russell and Alan discuss varying topics and sharing their experiences over the past 25+ years.
#therestislean
Spotting Kaizen at Toyota
Fascinating clip from Toyota UK in how the culture of Continuous Improvement is driven to the very heart of each employee.
Why Improvement Programmes Fail
A most enlightening talk from Dr Russ Ackoff.
Still as true today as it was when first presented.
One for leaders and aspiring OpEx professionals.
Critical Chain Project Management
An overview of the concept of CCPM and how it benefits any single or multi project environment.
ToC & TPS - The Perfect Solution
In this short clip, Eli Goldratt explains the fundamentals of why so many improvement efforts are not sustained, and why ToC & TPS (Lean) work in perfect harmony to create fast results.
(Courtesy of ToC.TV)
The Toyota Way - A Way to Make Things Better
Short and informative clip (Courtesy of Bloomberg) on how Toyota changed the way the world makes things.
Subcon Manufacturing Conference
Interview with Alan Lothian after hosting a panel discussion on sustaining change. An opportunity to share experiences with an esteemed panel from industry.
Free Downloads
Feel free to explore our database filled with articles and information aimed at supporting your business improvement and continuous improvement initiatives. If you would like to discuss topics such as leadership development, lean manufacturing, or operational excellence further, don’t hesitate to drop us a line.
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3A Business Excellence Ltd - 3ABEL
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