LEAN 4.0 EXCELLENCE AWARD 2026

LEAN 4.0 EXCELLENCE AWARD

Recognizing Excellence in Lean and Digitalization

The Lean philosophy is centered on process improvement by eliminating unnecessary waste (known as “muda”), increasing value for the customer, and fostering continuous improvement. Its goal is to optimize workflows, reduce time and resource consumption, and achieve higher efficiency and quality. Lean is built on core principles such as customer focus, employee involvement, process standardization, and the use of proven tools like 5S, Kaizen, TPM, GEMBA, Six Sigma, and more.

Lean 4.0 represents the evolution of traditional Lean, combining its principles with digitalization and Industry 4.0 technologies. Advanced technologies like IoT (Internet of Things), artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and automation enable even greater process optimization. Lean 4.0 provides organizations with precise control, in-depth analysis, and real-time adaptability, helping them achieve new levels of efficiency and competitiveness in the digital age.

DEMETRA LEAN WAY, a family-owned business and a pioneer in developing digital tools for Lean and related fields, is transforming modern Lean practices worldwide with its innovative tools under the PERFORMANCE STORYBOARD brand. These tools enhance transparency, improve analytics, and support decision-making, helping organizations successfully implement and advance Lean 4.0 solutions.

To recognize exceptional achievements by companies successfully implementing Lean 4.0 with our tools, we established the EXCELLENCE SYSTEM 4.0 AWARD in 2024, presenting the inaugural award to POLYCOM d.o.o. from Škofja Loka.

In 2025, the award was renamed to the Lean 4.0 Excellence Award to better reflect its purpose and the extraordinary accomplishments of its recipients. This global award honors companies that operate according to Lean principles, recognize the potential of PERFORMANCE STORYBOARD tools, and demonstrate through their results that it is possible to work better, more efficiently, and in alignment with Lean 4.0 principles.

We will reveal this year’s award winner at the event hosted by DEMETRA LEAN WAY. This special announcement will celebrate outstanding achievements while inspiring attendees to explore how PERFORMANCE STORYBOARD tools can help them reach new levels of excellence.

Join us at the event to be part of this celebration of innovation, efficiency, and a sustainable future!

LEAN-DIGITAL-EXCELLENCE-AWARD-2026

Who will set the next benchmark in Lean and Digital excellence?

Each year, the LEAN DIGITAL EXCELLENCE AWARD recognizes organizations that go beyond implementation – companies that truly live Lean, connect it with digital capabilities, and translate strategy into measurable, sustainable results. After outstanding transformations in previous years, expectations for 2026 are higher than ever.

What defines this year’s candidates?

A clear shift from firefighting to structured execution
Strong integration of digital tools into daily management routines
A culture where people, competencies, and accountability drive performance
The ability to scale Lean practices across teams, departments, and locations

Behind the scenes, several companies have demonstrated remarkable progress. Not just in tools. Not just in data. But in something far more difficult to achieve:

consistent execution.

This year’s winner stands out for building a system where:

It is a company that has successfully connected Lean principles with digitalization, while keeping a strong focus on people and competencies – the true foundation of any transformation.

At LEAN AKADEMIJA 2026, we will once again reveal the organization that best represents this vision.
Until then, one question remains:

LEAN 4.0 EXCELLENCE AWARD 2026