Alfa Laval: C2 system gathers all the improvement opportunities in one place

Gjalt van Reeden had worked with various improvement management systems for many years at other companies when a former colleague showed him Systems C2.

- I had been thinking for a long time that we should be able to handle different improvement opportunities such as audits, deviations and ideas in the same system, and that the methodology should be the same and based on the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act). The flow and logic of System C2 fit this idea very well, says Gjalt.

When Gjalt started working at Alfa Laval, he introduced this mindset, and purchased System C2 support the improvement efforts.
- Alfa Laval had already developed systems for handling deviations. But I felt - and feel - that we must focus on developing our processes and products, we should not spend time developing something when there are good off the shelf applications already.

Today, System C2 is used by the whole Alfa Laval plant in Ronneby. The system is used to manage a wide range of file types: safety inspection actions, audit deviances, improvement tasks for maintenance, incidents / injuries, claims-related improvements, suggestions for improvement in production, management by objectives and activities for different types of meetings and appraisals. In short, Alfa Laval tries to take every opportunity to get better.

Since the introduction of C2 in 2009, 4210 cases have been logged. Approximately 70% of the cases are followed up. Gjalt notes that the system is an important support for Alfa Laval in guiding them towards a culture of continuous improvement.
- The system structure is simple and transparent. The simplicity of it enables a brief introduction without requiring excessive training. The system is based on a logic that everyone understands. The transparency leads to communication, which in turn leads to things getting accomplished.

But it is not only in the system itself that impresses Gjalt van Reeden.
- C2 Management has a world class support function! Quick response and deployment times, the employees are well versed in the system's functions and applications, and are familiar with our thinking and approach. It saves time when discussing further development and configuration. In addition, the C2 seminars are very inspirational and professionally conducted and provide interesting new ideas and good examples of how other companies handle their improvement efforts.