Bringing the Practical Touch to Business Improvement

About Us

Our drive and focus is to challenge your current way of working in the areas you have identified that require improvements.

Rather than adopting typical ‘process improvement’, we aim to strip out the waste that exists in many processes to help you and your business function more effectively. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions, covering the entire process identified for improvement.

We act quickly and implement sustainable changes soon after we identify them. Our simple, hands on approach means we can execute solutions in a timely and efficient way.

We work together with our clients to ensure we identify the problem and that we can facilitate a change. We’re proud to bring energy and we aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

We aim to be a key strategic partner in your business by influencing the culture, bringing disconnected teams together and delivering results quickly.

We work hard to remove the variability of processes that may have developed over time, into a single process that worked for all involved. We have successfully achieved this for all our previous clients.

We care and support each other which is why we are so effective. We share a common goal and passion for achieving a sustainable, valuable outcome for all of our clients, and we feel our collaboration as a team is vital to achieving that goal.

We share responsibility and everyone has an integral role to play.

We can bring you a practical approach to solving challenges within your workplace.

Our work is based on collaboration to empower clients to make significant improvements in a very short space of time. We listen deeply then use the most appropriate approach and right amount of rigour to rapidly achieve targeted outcomes.

  • Oil & Gas
  • Construction
  • Digital
  • Decommissioning
  • Manufacturing
  • Training
  • Aerospace
  • Finance

Expertise

Our team of coaches have international experience across Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, China, South East Asia and the Middle East.

They have extensive experience in lean and agile ways of working, change management, digital transformation, continuous improvement, Six Sigma and Scrum.

Our solutions will help reduce costs, unblock long timescales of projects and help remove waste that exists in many processes. We will develop a plan with the client that meets their needs in terms of pace and depth of deployment. We can facilitate real change for your business by working collaboratively, whilst respecting your current business and culture.

team of internationally experienced coaches

Case Studies

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Rig Reliability
Rig Reliability

$22.8 M increased production Revenue

Our client experienced delays to the drill rig schedule, resulting in additional cost and late production. Improvement ideas implemented under our coaching gave thousands of hours back to business, on time delivery of drilling and more efficient use of rig engineering time.

Rig accommodation refurbishment pull planning
Rig Accommodation Refurbishment Pull Planning

25% reduction in time

Our client required to update the living accommodation & facilities on their offshore asset to accommodate an increase in headcount for operational activities. whilst maintaining production. Through effective pull planning execution of work scope was reduced by 101 day, 25% improvement.

Cargo Oil Storage Tanks – Value Analysis
Cargo Oil Storage Tanks – Value Analysis

£9m per Crude Oil Tank reduction in cost

Our client oil field is serviced by an Floating Production Storage & Offloading Vessel. Working with the operator we designed an efficient & effective process for the maintenance & repair of the onboard storage tanks, cost reduction of £9M per Crude Oil Tank & production downtime reduced by 75%.

Well Review Workshop
Well Review Workshop

Actions to Increase & Maintain Production

To ensure opportunities for maintaining & increasing production & identify vulnerabilities our client holds annual well reviews, we established an inclusive collaborative method driving innovation & active engagement.

Owned Equipment Utilisation
Owned Equipment Utilisation

Cost Avoidance $7.7M

Our client had $5M worth of temporary power equipment which was owned & managed by different areas of the business, stored over several locations & managed out with the warehouse processes. Through applying 5S methodology during a Kaizen event we transformed management & control of equipment resulting in cost avoidance of $7.7 Million over a 5 year period.

Scaffolding Schedule Optimisation
Scaffolding Schedule Optimisation

Mobilisations for Scaffolding reduced by 30%

The clients offshore personnel identified there were challenges when it came to organising scaffold for maintenance work across all its assets. The changes designed & implemented by the offshore team created a safer environment & allowed for predictable, efficient maintenance activities.

Work Assignment Improvement For Multidiscipline Work Scopes
Work Assignment Improvement For Multidiscipline Work Scopes

Reduction of 50% in carry over work

Our client identified a lack of coordination among trade leads creating non productive time for each contractor discipline. We helped the client to improve planning & communication resulted in 5% higher productivity, 50% reduction in work carry over, removal of waiting time, adherence to schedule and reduction in overtime.

Offshore & Site Recruitment
Offshore & Site Recruitment

92% reduction in missed mobilisation dates

Our client has been contracted to install and commission a major offshore asset. The recruitment process was losing the client time, money & their reputation. Our team has helped the client to improve the process, satisfying their clients needs, improving revenue, reducing cost and manpower churn.

Winterisation Value Engineering Project
Winterisation Value Engineering Project

Winterization tasks reduced from 500 to 334 33% reduction

Our client’s plant is located where extreme winters are the norm. To ensure production stability a Winterisation preparation program is executed annually. Historically the client has been unable to complete the Winterisation program prior to the onset of winter. We helped our client to reduce number of winterisations tasks & the winterisation program was completed as planned.

Pit Stop – Haul Truck Utilisation Project
Pit Stop – Haul Truck Utilisation Project

$1,5M increase in production daily

Our client wanted to increase truck operating efficiency without compromising operator safety & to potentially enhance the work environment for the drivers. We increased truck utilisation increasing daily production by >$6M whilst also improving morale, health & wellbeing of drivers.

Virtual Team Collaboration using MURAL
Virtual Team Collaboration using MURAL

20+ training sessions delivered monthly

Early 2020 was an abrupt awakening for majority of businesses on the need to improve the connectivity between remote teams to get work done effectively. Practical Business Improvements is always ready to support customers in difficult times and provide assistance for business, this includes applying our experience and knowledge to solve business problems remotely.

Incident Investigation
HSE
Incident Investigation

1281 hrs back to the business

Our client experienced several repeat process, containment & personal safety incidents. We worked with the client on how incidents were investigated, the classification and finding real root cause, which resulted in a reduction of unsafe incidents & a return of hundreds of hours back to the business.

Gas Turbine – Off-Shore Construction Set-Up Reduction
Gas Turbine – Off-Shore Construction Set-Up Reduction

18,000 hrs across multiple trades executed in the time saved

Our client had to complete the installation & commissioning of a Gas Turbine(GT) offshore. The installation included non-standard activity due to the condition of the GT, the installation schedule was high risk, had no float. Working with the contractors we reduced the installation schedule by 30% & returning 2160 hours back to the business for executing other work.

Warehouse Reorganisation
Warehouse Reorganisation

$1M stock value reduction

Our client has had major challenges with their inventory, & inventory management, held at supplier sites. 5S workplace organisation events led to 85% reduction in space required to store materials, a reduction of $150K cost p.a. for supplier storage & cost avoidance of $470K.

Case Studies

Rig Reliability
Rig Reliability

$22.8 M increased production Revenue

Our client experienced delays to the drill rig schedule, resulting in additional cost and late production. Improvement ideas implemented under our coaching gave thousands of hours back to business, on time delivery of drilling and more efficient use of rig engineering time.

Rig accommodation refurbishment pull planning
Rig Accommodation Refurbishment Pull Planning

25% reduction in time

Our client required to update the living accommodation & facilities on their offshore asset to accommodate an increase in headcount for operational activities. whilst maintaining production. Through effective pull planning execution of work scope was reduced by 101 day, 25% improvement.

Cargo Oil Storage Tanks – Value Analysis
Cargo Oil Storage Tanks – Value Analysis

£9m per Crude Oil Tank reduction in cost

Our client oil field is serviced by an Floating Production Storage & Offloading Vessel. Working with the operator we designed an efficient & effective process for the maintenance & repair of the onboard storage tanks, cost reduction of £9M per Crude Oil Tank & production downtime reduced by 75%.

Well Review Workshop
Well Review Workshop

Actions to Increase & Maintain Production

To ensure opportunities for maintaining & increasing production & identify vulnerabilities our client holds annual well reviews, we established an inclusive collaborative method driving innovation & active engagement.

Owned Equipment Utilisation
Owned Equipment Utilisation

Cost Avoidance $7.7M

Our client had $5M worth of temporary power equipment which was owned & managed by different areas of the business, stored over several locations & managed out with the warehouse processes. Through applying 5S methodology during a Kaizen event we transformed management & control of equipment resulting in cost avoidance of $7.7 Million over a 5 year period.

Scaffolding Schedule Optimisation
Scaffolding Schedule Optimisation

Mobilisations for Scaffolding reduced by 30%

The clients offshore personnel identified there were challenges when it came to organising scaffold for maintenance work across all its assets. The changes designed & implemented by the offshore team created a safer environment & allowed for predictable, efficient maintenance activities.

Work Assignment Improvement For Multidiscipline Work Scopes
Work Assignment Improvement For Multidiscipline Work Scopes

Reduction of 50% in carry over work

Our client identified a lack of coordination among trade leads creating non productive time for each contractor discipline. We helped the client to improve planning & communication resulted in 5% higher productivity, 50% reduction in work carry over, removal of waiting time, adherence to schedule and reduction in overtime.

Offshore & Site Recruitment
Offshore & Site Recruitment

92% reduction in missed mobilisation dates

Our client has been contracted to install and commission a major offshore asset. The recruitment process was losing the client time, money & their reputation. Our team has helped the client to improve the process, satisfying their clients needs, improving revenue, reducing cost and manpower churn.

Winterisation Value Engineering Project
Winterisation Value Engineering Project

Winterization tasks reduced from 500 to 334 33% reduction

Our client’s plant is located where extreme winters are the norm. To ensure production stability a Winterisation preparation program is executed annually. Historically the client has been unable to complete the Winterisation program prior to the onset of winter. We helped our client to reduce number of winterisations tasks & the winterisation program was completed as planned.

Pit Stop – Haul Truck Utilisation Project
Pit Stop – Haul Truck Utilisation Project

$1,5M increase in production daily

Our client wanted to increase truck operating efficiency without compromising operator safety & to potentially enhance the work environment for the drivers. We increased truck utilisation increasing daily production by >$6M whilst also improving morale, health & wellbeing of drivers.

Virtual Team Collaboration using MURAL
Virtual Team Collaboration using MURAL

20+ training sessions delivered monthly

Early 2020 was an abrupt awakening for majority of businesses on the need to improve the connectivity between remote teams to get work done effectively. Practical Business Improvements is always ready to support customers in difficult times and provide assistance for business, this includes applying our experience and knowledge to solve business problems remotely.

Incident Investigation
HSE
Incident Investigation

1281 hrs back to the business

Our client experienced several repeat process, containment & personal safety incidents. We worked with the client on how incidents were investigated, the classification and finding real root cause, which resulted in a reduction of unsafe incidents & a return of hundreds of hours back to the business.

Gas Turbine – Off-Shore Construction Set-Up Reduction
Gas Turbine – Off-Shore Construction Set-Up Reduction

18,000 hrs across multiple trades executed in the time saved

Our client had to complete the installation & commissioning of a Gas Turbine(GT) offshore. The installation included non-standard activity due to the condition of the GT, the installation schedule was high risk, had no float. Working with the contractors we reduced the installation schedule by 30% & returning 2160 hours back to the business for executing other work.

Warehouse Reorganisation
Warehouse Reorganisation

$1M stock value reduction

Our client has had major challenges with their inventory, & inventory management, held at supplier sites. 5S workplace organisation events led to 85% reduction in space required to store materials, a reduction of $150K cost p.a. for supplier storage & cost avoidance of $470K.

“Practical Business Improvements with Gary as Managing Director has and continues to be a key strategic partner with the Duha Center of Excellence for over 10 years. As partners, Gary and his team are instrumental in the development of new innovative tools, techniques and training strategies in collaboration with our team which continues to add value for more than 140 businesses, serving all industries”

Rod SmithDuha Center of Excellence

“Having worked with PBI over the last year I couldn’t recommend them highly enough, particularly around their honesty, passion and focus around problem solving, leadership coaching and ability to deliver bottom line results., The approach taken by Gary and his team is that of curiosity, drive and commitment to find practical and deliverable business solutions. Another key strength is around the range of tools and techniques PBI can apply which allows a blended approach to problem solving from Lean through to Scrum which is a real enabler”

Brian Chalmers, President of GrowthWood, Aberdeen, UK

“I have worked with PBI, and it’s founders, for over 7 years and find their simple, well thought out approach to practically put in place the tools, habits and focus around CI to be highly effective, measurable, scalable and sustainable. Many years of collective knowledge has been packaged in such a way that it is easily digestible and structured logically when executing.”

Richmond Hulse, CEPRichmond, McCabe & Clark LLC, Buffalo, WY, USA

“I have personally worked with PBI coaches within BP on 3 distinct occasions over the last 7ears, and can personally testify to their effectiveness, professionalism, value delivery, and capability build…PBI are an incredibly experienced company, they bring true professionalism and cohesion among their coaches, they challenge the status quo to really get leadership and teams thinking about how they can work differently, and most importantly they build capability to ensure that the changes are sustainable”

Tony Hodgins, Global CI LeadBP, London, UK

“The thing that really stands out about PBI is the ability of the coaches to focus on and derive value. The key thing is the connection of lean/agile tools to value such that the organisation is steadily amassing cost reductions, time saved, production improvements. From working with many coaches over many change projects, PBI are distinctive in this area”

Peter Miller, Vice President TransformationBP, North Sea, UK

“It is amazing how the coaches at PBI settle within the organisation, roll up their sleeves and join the company in tackling challenges and hurdles at every level of seniority and in any part of the business. Having worked with PBI for a few months now, I am impressed by the pace at which we have identified our areas of improvement, delivered a transformation & digitalisation roadmap and how quickly we have deployed effective communication techniques, unleashing effectiveness and efficiency for a variety of different teams. Speed of execution and discipline have characterised these months, together with a good sense of humour, helping overcoming resistance to change. I could not recommend the team at PBI more highly”

Adele Ara, Head of Global Business OperationsLightsource BP

PBI Operates in a wide range of business sectors, from SME’s to Multi-National companies across International locations.

location map
bp
wood group
weatherford
volopa
shell
north east local enterprise partnership
mcgavigan
marriot
jeyes
hewlett packard
duha group
brakes
akar solutions
2way training solutions
auxilium technica
lightsource bp

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