Why did Oscar Mayer Group UK win LCS People-First?

Oscar Mayer UK was celebrated for a people-first transformation that stabilised three loss-making sites and instilled a culture of engagement and continuous improvement. 

Judges highlighted how leadership upskilled managers in problem-solving through LCS 1b and A3 training, involving employees in Kaizen Blitz events targeting productivity, safety, and quality. Tangible outcomes included over £800,000 in annual productivity gains, resolution of 100+ safety concerns, and safer, more efficient operations. Judges praised the shift from a command-and-control culture to empowerment and involvement, noting the visible cultural change through daily huddles, improved teamwork, and sustained adoption of Lean behaviours. The initiative was recognised for balancing urgent operational pressures with long-term capability development, showing that a people-focused approach can drive both financial recovery and operational excellence.