Continuous improvement safeguards factory's future at Innovia Films : Training program helps to change the organizational culture

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to detail the way in which the Innovia Films workforce at one of its facilities, a cellulose‐film plant at Wigton, Cumbria, UK, has safeguarded the plant from the threat of closure through taking part in an award‐winning training program. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on information provided by the 830‐employee plant's training and development manager. It details the threats to the plant three years ago and the high‐performance culture that now exists. The paper stresses the key role of training in continuous‐improvement techniques in helping to change the culture at the plant. The paper also describes how the 15‐day Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence program helped to bring about the required improvements, through training in team behaviors, measurement, problem solving and performance, among other elements. It highlights the way in which National Vocational Qualification accreditation proved to be a strong motivational force. Findings – The paper's findings demonstrate how training helped to change the culture at the plant, empower the workers, improve output and reduce waste. Originality/value – The paper provides plenty of evidence for the power of training in changing worker behavior and organizational performance.