High‐performance teamwork saves Visy Board plastics factory : Employees shared a passion for survival

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to document the experience of managers and staff in sustaining a high‐performance team approach in a plastics factory. Design/methodology/approach – Draws on research carried out using semi‐structured interviews and site observations made with two managers and one team of six at Visy, a multinational plastics manufacturer with its headquarters in Australia. Findings – Advances the view that a successful high‐performance team requires clear targets and efficiency standards, good communication, defined rules of behavior, the continual input of facts and feedback, and recognition of successes. Practical implications – Draws on first‐hand accounts of teamwork in practice. Captures the changes experienced by the employees on their journey to ensure the long‐term survival of the plant. Originality/value – Provides plenty of useful information for organizations engaged in implementing quality improvements through enhanced teamwork.