Welsh Businesses Achieve Major Efficiency Gains Thanks to Toyota Support Programme

A Welsh Government-backed initiative based on Toyota’s world-renowned production principles is helping businesses across Wales boost productivity, cut waste, and achieve substantial financial savings.

The Toyota Lean Clusters Programme, which provides hands-on support to Welsh organisations seeking to improve their competitiveness, has already helped several major companies save up to £1 million each through streamlined operations and smarter processes.

Among the standout success stories:

• Tata, Airflo, and other unnamed participants have each reported £1 million in savings after taking part.

• Seda UK, based in Blackwood, increased its daily production of paper cups by 200,000 units.

• British Rototherm Group in Port Talbot achieved a 77% reduction in machinery breakdowns, 50% fewer product defects, and a 300% increase in capacity.

The programme is built around the core principles of the Toyota Production System (TPS), globally recognised as the gold standard in manufacturing efficiency. Businesses receive tailored support to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce errors, and improve quality at every stage of their operations.

Thanks to its growing impact, the programme has now been granted an additional £800,000 in Welsh Government funding, extending its availability through to 2029.

With a focus on sustainable improvements, the Toyota Lean Clusters Programme is open to organisations of all sizes and sectors across Wales, offering a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the world’s leading production models.

For more information, visit the official release: Huge productivity gains from Toyota assistance programme | GOV.WALES

As more Welsh firms sign up and see real results, this initiative is proving to be a game-changer in the drive for smarter, leaner, and more competitive businesses across the nation.