Açotubo Looks to the Future with Continuous Improvement Initiative

An Innovative Project Seeks to Optimize Processes and Deliver the Best Customer Experience.

The Açotubo Group, a giant in the steel distribution sector, dares to announce an audacious initiative: the Continuous Improvement Project. This project has the central purpose of promoting the engagement of specialists and employees in the implementation of methodologies and measures aimed at process improvement. The goal? Simplification of processes, enhancement of customer service, speed in delivery, reduction of errors, increase in sales, and improvement of operational and commercial indicators.

First Steps of the Continuous Improvement Project

The inspiration for the project emerged after a consultancy conducted by a market-leading firm. This meeting sowed the desire in Açotubo’s management to create a dedicated area for monitoring services, research, and suggesting solutions focused on optimization, innovation, and process improvement. For this challenge, the company hired two new employees dedicated to the new area.

“This innovative program is a powerful tool to encourage our employees to enhance processes and drive their personal desire for improvement in their activities”, states Cristiano Pereira da Silva, continuous improvement specialist at Açotubo Group. Carlos Eduardo da Costa, who holds the same position, adds: “With this action, we intend to further engage our employees in developing their skills and competencies, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and employing methods that allow us to understand, improve, and standardize processes and their results to meet and exceed the expectations of all stakeholders”.

Competencies That Drive the Project

Cristiano Pereira da Silva, who has 27 years of experience and also serves as a university and graduate professor in production management, and Carlos Eduardo Rocha da Costa, with 15 years of experience in continuous improvement processes and extensive knowledge in quality tools and methodologies, project management, and organizational and strategic management, form the driving force behind this initiative.

This project is broadly comprehensive, encompassing all areas of the company. The initiative is also the result of implementing the 5S philosophy, of Japanese origin, which addresses five fundamental principles for continuous improvement: utilization, organization, cleanliness/health, standardization, and discipline/self-discipline.

According to Bruno Bassi, CEO of Açotubo, the company has been investing in technology since last year, with this year’s investments reaching R$ 3M. “We are fully committed to engaging our employees in actions that benefit the business and the people who are part of it”, concludes Bassi.