Lean thinking helps founders clear through the admin fog
By Sandra O’Connell
LeanBPI founder John O’Shanahan launched the LEO Lean for Business pilot programme in 2015. Ten years on, this Sunday Times feature explores how four Irish businesses have used lean methodology to transform their operations — from cutting production waste to reclaiming hours lost in admin.
“What a lean mindset does is help you understand that small improvements build up into a smoother business. The LEO programme helps in giving business owners that foundation of success in the beginning, so that they can continue improving things for themselves.”
— John O’Shanahan, founder, LeanBPI
Programme founded 2015
Companies supported 500+
Clients in article 4
LEO partner since 2015
Businesses featured
Irish Onion Company
Eamon Crowley · Bandon, Co. Cork
One of the first participants in the Lean for Business programme, Crowley set up the Irish Onion Company in 2012 to grow, import, peel and chop onions. He reorganised packing lines, replaced a paper-based traceability system with a cloud app, and built an increasingly data-driven operation.
Production waste reduced 10%
Acreage expanding to 60 acres
Employees 10
“Lean has transformed our business.” – Eamonn Crowley – Irish Onion Company
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Marketing Eye
Una Ryan · Tipperary
A solopreneur running a consultancy since 2009, Ryan hit a bottleneck where manual admin was blocking new client work. She worked directly with John O’Shanahan of LeanBPI, who examined her workflow end to end — from client onboarding to invoicing — and helped her outsource accounts and automate processes.
Weekly time reclaimed 3.5 hours
Business since 2009
“I couldn’t work any harder than I was. So I wanted to work smarter.” – Una Ryan – Marketing Eye
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Profix Maintenance Services
Stephen Hartnett · Cork
A participant on the very first LEO Lean for Business programme, Hartnett has continued to maintain the culture as the company has grown over the past decade. He is now engaging an AI expert to train staff on how technology can help in their daily work — a lean mindset in action.
“Lean has given me back time in my life because if I am struggling with a process, I improve it.” Stephen Hartnett ProFix
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MAAS Precision
Tadhg Hurley · Cork
An engineering company making precision components for medical device manufacturers including Stryker, Abbott and ICP NewTech. Hurley set up MAAS in 1995 and participated in Lean for Business 20 years later. The transformation made the business a far more attractive acquisition target.
Staff growth 7 → 11
Turnover doubled to €2.2M
Outcome Acquired by Induchem
“It helped us put all the ducks in a row. All the information was there, the systems were there, everything was in place. That made it very easy to see what the business was worth.” Tadhg Hurley Maas
“Over time that fosters a culture of continuous improvement, to which staff feel empowered to contribute. When it’s mature, it’s not owner-led, it’s a team, and the owner ends up with a motivated workforce.” — John O’Shanahan, founder, LeanBPI
Ready to apply lean thinking to your business?
Whether you’re a manufacturer streamlining production or a solopreneur drowning in admin, LeanBPI can help you identify inefficiencies and build a culture of continuous improvement.
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