Introducing Lean into the UK Highways Agency's supply chain

Lean is a way of thinking that examines working practice to reduce wasteful activity while retaining or enhancing value. To help it deliver more national road works for less money, the UK Highways Agency introduced a Lean deployment strategy in 2009 – which has so far saved over £50 million. This paper describes how the agency has engaged with its supply chain, helping to build capability so suppliers can undertake Lean projects and champion them within their own organisations. Four projects are discussed, showing a range of Lean methods being used to support the delivery of major projects and maintenance works.