Louise Felix, Eng.
Operational Excellence Project Manager at Merkur
Louise has over ten years’ experience in strategic project management and industrial process optimization. She has supported companies in a variety of sectors – manufacturing, agri-food, transportation – in their transformation processes, deploying Lean approaches and continuous improvement strategies. Recognized for her structured approach and ability to mobilize teams, she generates sustainable, measurable results. Today at Merkur, she leads the development of the Operational Excellence offering and supervises a team of consultants.
Raphaël Lançon,
Industrial Technician at Merkur
Raphaël began his career with Merkur after a final year internship, during which he contributed to several projects. Now a consultant in operational excellence, he works on a variety of projects, from flow optimization to the implementation of Lean production lines. With a solid background in general engineering and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, he stands out for his analytical mind, rigor and ease of navigation in complex environments. He supports Merkur customers in transforming their operations, with a collaborative approach focused on sustainable value creation.
Operational excellence is an essential strategic lever for companies seeking continuous improvement. Regardless of the technical complexity of mandates, their success depends above all on the active involvement of employees at every stage. At Merkur, we have made this involvement an art, always adapting our activities and approaches to the unique needs and culture of each customer. Each project begins with an in-depth assessment to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. In this article, Louise Félix, Project Manager in Operational Excellence, and Raphaël Lançon, Industrial Technician, explain why this first step is crucial to establishing a clear vision and effectively guiding future actions.
Working Together to Understand and Co-Develop
Collaboration is the cornerstone of any operational excellence intervention. At Merkur, we don’t just provide technical expertise. We introduce methods and practices inspired by the best industrial references, while structuring projects with clear milestones and a dynamic rhythm. Our strategic workshops become key moments where ideas and knowledge converge to develop relevant, tailor-made solutions.
We implement quick wins – rapid, high-impact actions that deliver concrete results right from the start. This approach motivates teams and rapidly demonstrates the added value of improvement initiatives.
The employees of partner companies where Merkur is involved play an equally crucial role. Their in-depth expertise of internal products and processes enriches the project in an invaluable way. Even before designing a solution, Merkur’s consultants immerse themselves in the company’s operations, understand its challenges and build trusting relationships with the key players. This preparatory work ensures that each co-created solution is perfectly aligned with the customer’s strategic objectives and integrated into a coherent manufacturing strategy.
The Relationship with Change Management
Mobilizing employees also implies seamless integration into an overall change management strategy. Merkur supports managers and supervisors to enable them to play a decisive role in reinforcing the legitimacy of the project. Their organizational support is an indispensable lever for giving the mandate the necessary weight.
We also pay particular attention to our field staff. Their active involvement is essential in valuing their contribution, identifying potential obstacles and creating collective commitment. At Merkur, we firmly believe that every employee, whether at the top of the hierarchy or in the field, plays a decisive role in transformation. By integrating concrete actions and a structured improvement plan, we facilitate this transition and guarantee smooth adoption of the changes implemented.
Making the Solution Sustainable
An operational excellence solution can only be considered a success if it is permanently embedded in corporate practices. That’s why Merkur adopts a rigorous, inclusive approach, co-constructing solutions with stakeholders and offering the implementation of those that consider constraints and day-to-day realities. This approach guarantees effective appropriation of tools and processes by internal teams.
By integrating adapted methods and customized tools, we ensure that solutions are not only functional, but also firmly anchored in the customer’s organizational culture. Our experts ensure that each initiative is part of an overall manufacturing strategy, ensuring continuity and progressive improvement of internal processes.
A Healthy Working Environment
At Merkur, we believe that optimal employee involvement depends on creating an environment conducive to collaboration and fulfillment. We work to create an organizational culture that values commitment, transparency and well-being. As strategic partners, our consultants are committed to fostering authentic, respectful relationships between all stakeholders, in order to create a climate of trust and lasting collaboration.
A Human and Adaptive Approach
Every mandate signed with Merkur is based first and foremost on human relations. Our consultants strive to understand our customers’ internal dynamics, their expectations and their specific needs. This human approach enables us to build solid, customized projects based on mutual trust.
Our teams possess essential interpersonal skills: clear communication, attentive listening and astute diplomacy. By adapting to the most complex contexts, we demonstrate the rapid integration and resilience that guarantee successful projects.
Conclusion
At Merkur, involving your employees is more than just a prerequisite for success; it’s at the heart of our approach. Through close collaboration, rigorous co-construction and appropriate change management, we deliver sustainable, value-creating solutions. Thanks to an accurate assessment, a shared vision, the integration of quick wins and a structured improvement plan, we ensure an effective and lasting transformation. This unique combination of technical expertise and human know-how transforms each mandate into a rewarding experience and a shared success. Contact us to find out more!
