A client asked for advice on operating his plant abroad in order to reduce costs and improve output. Whilst this is a common desire (who doesn’t want to reduce costs and increase output?) this was a particular challenge because the factory is complex and has made recent significant investments. Our lead process consultant spent a week on site working with factory and corporate management to create a strategy for developing the site in the wider context of the company and its markets. Many Lean Thinking tools were useful in this process, and a clear vision of a Future State was agreed, together with a detailed plan of action to move towards it. We remain involved, drawing on our in-depth expertise to advise on specific elements of the action plan.