Nutriset, a major global player in the fight against malnutrition, develops nutritional solutions to treat and prevent malnutrition in the most vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly. In 2023, their products helped treat 9,298,242 people.
In an effort to optimize and improve their productivity, Nutriset implemented fabriq to digitalize their routines, monitor their performance and resolve their issues more quickly.
In this article, we look back at the challenges Nutriset faced before adopting fabriq as a solution, then we detail the implementation and concrete benefits of this digital transformation.
The challenges Nutriset faced before digitalization
In 2018, Nutriset decided to implement a continuous improvement approach with the consulting firm OPEO. The company wanted to have a common problem-solving methodology. 8D processes were then implemented on whiteboards, Excel files, and paper sheets. However, Nutriset faced several challenges.
Lack of availability and difficulties in collaboration
The first challenge Nutriset encountered in this non-digital problem-solving process was the lack of availability of people to lead problem-solving. While some people had been trained, they weren’t always available to do so, and the company struggled to disseminate action plans to the right people. Additionally, collaboration was difficult, particularly due to the 3×8 shift system.
Lack of action plan follow-up
Without a centralized tool, tracking meeting decisions and action plans relied primarily on shared files or notes. This made it difficult to ensure that actions were properly implemented and tracked over time. This lack of structure led to oversights and wasted time identifying priorities. As a result, problem-solving efforts dragged on or eventually petered out.
Weak root cause analysis
The lack of structured problem solving also made root cause analysis challenging. These were not robust enough to allow for proper problem solving, resulting in problems recurring without being definitively resolved.
“The sticking point was that we couldn’t get the action plan properly distributed to the right people and ensure they followed through. Every time we held a meeting, we talked about the actions we hadn’t taken the last time, so things weren’t moving forward. The root cause analyses weren’t robust enough, so it dragged on and the problems kept coming back over time, so it wasn’t necessarily well managed.”
– Hervé Bosquain, Operational Excellence Coordinator at Nutriset
The Implementation of fabriq at Nutriset
To address the identified challenges, Nutriset deployed the fabriq solution in 2023 to digitalize and structure its problem-solving and performance management processes. Nutriset wanted a tool that would be accessible to everyone and centralize action plans. This project unfolded in several stages, with a phased approach to ensure better adoption by teams.
1. Setting Up Point People
To support the digitalization of problem solving, Nutriset developed a new organizational structure. In particular, the company established operational excellence representatives for each business unit, responsible for initiating and leading problem-solving initiatives. Dedicated meetings were also set up every week to address recurring problem resolutions.
2. Standardization of problem solving
Standardization was also crucial in adopting this digital problem-solving approach. Simplified 8D processes were implemented on fabriq, and standard rules were developed to address only relevant problem resolutions.
Problem resolutions that directly impact production (a shutdown of more than 2 hours, for example) must be addressed immediately, by describing the problem and analyzing the causes.
Problem resolutions arising from indicator drifts or field observations are set aside and addressed during the performance review each week, as well as during points dedicated to problem solving.
3. A pilot team
The implementation of fabriq at Nutriset was carried out in several phases, with a pilot team tasked with testing the tool before its larger-scale deployment. This experimental phase allowed the solution to be adapted to Nutriset’s specific needs and to anticipate any necessary adjustments. Today, fabriq is deployed across 18 teams, across all departments within the company.
The benefits of fabriq for Nutriset teams
After implementing fabriq, Nutriset saw significant improvements in its problem-solving approach and performance management. The tool helped streamline communication, structure problem-solving, and improve team responsiveness to operational issues.
Better tracking of actions
Thanks to fabriq, all actions are now centralized within a single tool, making actions easier to track. Each task can be assigned to an individual, with a defined deadline and collaborative tracking. Teams benefit from dedicated dashboards to manage follow-up rituals and ensure each action is progressing efficiently.
Better visualization and prioritization of problem resolutions
fabriq provides a global view of all ongoing issues, allowing for workload measurement and better organization. A dashboard dedicated to the Operational Excellence ritual and a problem parking lot allow for the collection and prioritization of issues based on their impact and the downtime caused. Teams then submit these priorities for manager approval, ensuring a balanced approach between field and strategic vision.
Problems addressed in depth
With integrated tools like the 5 Whys and the Ishikawa diagram, fabriq allows you to go further in analyzing root causes. “Thanks to this structured approach, we have seen a significant reduction in recurring problems,” emphasized Hervé Bosquain and Gilles Grousset at Nutriset. The goal is no longer just to treat the symptoms, but to eliminate the underlying causes.
Accelerated problem solving
Identifying problems to be resolved is now faster and better structured. The number of reports from the field has increased, allowing for greater responsiveness. fabriq acts as a real accelerator in the maturity of the problem-solving approach and also in the ultimate resolution of problems.
Better team engagement
The user-friendly deisgn and ease of use of fabriq have facilitated its adoption. Any employee, regardless of their role in the factory, can be invited to participate in problem-solving and quickly adopts the method. Furthermore, the implementation of well-monitored action plans strengthens the involvement of teams, who become fully involved in the process.
“The cost of fabriq remains quite low compared to all the gains we can make. For example, our daily meeting, which used to take us 30 minutes, on a whiteboard, with data loss, with fabriq, takes us 15 minutes. And just this time saved for all the people who participate in these meetings allows us to get a return on investment for the fabriq subscription.”
– Gilles Grousset, Performance and Production Coordinator at Nutriset
Conclusion
Nutriset’s adoption of fabriq marked a turning point in their performance management. By structuring interactions, streamlining rituals, and strengthening team responsiveness to issues and their resolution, the tool has improved daily operational efficiency. Thanks to greater visibility and optimized collaboration, Nutriset can now manage its activities with greater agility and impact.
Explore how fabriq can help your shop floor teams structure problem solving.
Want more? Discover how Sofradim Production streamlined problem-solving on the shop floor with digital visual management.